Visitor & short-stay visas
Costa Rican Tourist Entry (Visa-Free / Visa-Exempt)
Short-stay tourist entry for nationals of visa-exempt countries, governed by Costa Rica's four-group nationality system administered by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Stay periods (Group 1 up to 180 days; Groups 2-4 up to 30 days extendable to 90) and passport-validity rules are drawn from secondary summaries and the November 2025 DGME resolution report, not confirmed directly against migracion.go.cr (the official site returned HTTP 403 to automated fetch). Verify current group classifications and authorised periods on the official Visas page.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Costa Rica government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Ingreso de turistas / exención de visa (four-group system)
- Route type
- Short-stay visitor / tourist entry
- Maximum stay (Group 1)
- Up to 180 days per entry
- Reported figure; the exact authorised period is set by the immigration officer at entry and by DGME resolution. Verify against migracion.go.cr.
- Work permitted
- No paid work permitted
Who it is for
- Nationals of Group 1 countries travelling for tourism, visiting family, or short business trips
- Visitors who do not intend to work, study long-term, or take up residence
- Travellers from some visa-required countries who qualify for an exemption by holding a valid multiple-entry visa or residence from the United States or Canada
Requirements
- A passport valid for the period required by the traveller's nationality group (Group 1 travellers require at least one day of validity on arrival, per reported DGME rules)
- Proof of onward or return travel
- Evidence of sufficient funds for the stay
- Compliance with any documentation conditions in the current DGME entry resolution
What you can do
- Enter and remain for the authorised tourist period without a pre-arranged visa (Group 1)
- Travel throughout the country for tourism and short visits
- Cannot engage in paid or profit-making activity
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.