Modification for the tourist entry visa to Costa Rica

Good news! The visa to enter Costa Rica as a tourist increases to a maximum of 180 days.

Nationals of the countries of the first group, which is, those who do not require a prior visa (consular) to enter the country, will see an increase in the time they can stay in the country as tourists.

This is beneficial in several aspects:

1. In the first place, those people who only wish to enter as tourists may opt for a longer period to enjoy their holidays in the country.
2. Those who are considering expatriating in Costa Rica could make use of this longer period to be able to settle in the country and thus confirm whether or not they wish to opt for a residence.
3. People who apply for a residence, although they can remain in the country for as long as it takes the General Directorate of Migration and Aliens (DGME) to resolve their process without any inconvenience even after their tourist visa expires, find in this reform greater tranquility.

The aforementioned reform began to take effect on September 8, 2023, and consists of an increase in the maximum period that was previously 90 days and becomes 180 calendar days. However, the maximum period of the tourist visa will depend on the criteria of the DGME official to carry out the entry control to the country, which could grant a minor visa.

For the second group, which includes countries  (which are not on the list of the first group) for which a  travel document is required with a validity of not less than  90 calendar days and which do not require an entry visa, as well as nationals of the third group (consular entry visa) or the fourth group (restricted visa) the term will continue to be 30 calendar days maximum with the possibility of extension.

Likewise, any foreign person, regardless of nationality or visa group, must meet the following requirements when seeking to enter Costa Rican territory:

1. Passport or valid travel document, machine-readable, in accordance with the guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and with the minimum validity that determines the income guidelines for each group respectively.
2. Visa, when required.
3. Proof of economic solvency, minimum of USD $ 100.00 (one hundred US dollars) per month or fraction of a month of legal stay in the country.
4. Ticket back to the country of origin or onward travel.
5. Not be prevented from entering the national territory.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our immigration department at migracioncr@lexincorp.com

List of countries in the first group: MINIMUM PASSPORT VALIDITY: UP TO ONE DAY

*Their dependencies receive equal treatment.

**Includes England, Wales and Scotland

Prepared by: Nathalie Blau