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2 de October de 2023
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Modification in the Tourist Entry Visa to Costa Rica

Modification in the Tourist Entry Visa to Costa Rica Good News! The Tourist Entry Visa to Costa Rica Increases to a Maximum of 180 Days Nationals of countries in the first group, meaning those who do not require a prior (consular) visa to enter the country, will see an increase in the time they can […]

Modification in the Tourist Entry Visa to Costa Rica

Good News! The Tourist Entry Visa to Costa Rica Increases to a Maximum of 180 Days

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

This is beneficial in several aspects:

  1. Extended Stay for Tourists: People who only wish to enter as tourists will now have a longer period to enjoy their vacation in the country.

  2. Expatriates in Costa Rica: Individuals considering expatriation in Costa Rica can make use of this extended stay to settle in the country and decide if they want to apply for residency.

  3. Peace of Mind for Residency Applicants: Individuals applying for residency, while they can stay in the country for as long as it takes for the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME) to process their case, even if their tourist visa expires, will now find more peace of mind due to this reform.

The aforementioned reform came into effect on September 8, 2023, and increases the maximum stay from 90 days to 180 calendar days. However, the maximum duration of the tourist visa will depend on the discretion of the DGME official handling entry control into the country, who may grant a shorter visa.

For the second group, which includes other countries (those not in the first group), requiring a travel document valid for no less than 90 days and not requiring an entry visa, as well as nationals from the third group (consular visa) or the fourth group (restricted visa), the maximum stay will remain at 30 calendar days, with the possibility of an extension.

Additionally, any foreigner, regardless of nationality or visa group, must meet the following requirements when entering Costa Rica:

  • A valid passport or travel document with machine-readable characters, in compliance with the guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with a minimum validity as per the entry requirements for each group.

  • A visa, when required.

  • Proof of financial solvency, at least USD $100.00 (one hundred US dollars) per month or part of a month of legal stay in the country.

  • A return ticket, flight, or travel ticket to the country of origin or onward travel.

  • No entry restrictions to the national territory.

For any inquiries, please feel free to contact our immigration department at migracioncr@lexincorp.com

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

ALEMANIA ANDORRA ARGENTINA*
AUSTRALIA* AUSTRIA BAHAMAS
BARBADOS BÉLGICA BRASIL
BULGARIA CANADÁ CROACIA
CHILE CHIPRE DINAMARCA*
EMIRATOS ÁRABES UNIDOS ESLOVAQUIA ESLOVENIA
ESPAÑA ESTADO DE CATAR ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA*
ESTONIA FINLANDIA FRANCIA*
HUNGRÍA IRLANDA ISLANDIA
ISRAEL ITALIA JAPÓN
LETONIA LIECHTENSTEIN LITUANIA
LUXEMBURGO MALTA MÉXICO
MONTENEGRO NORUEGA* NUEVA ZELANDA*
PAÍSES BAJOS (HOLANDA) * PANAMÁ PARAGUAY
POLONIA PORTUGAL PRINCIPADO DE MÓNACO
SAN MARINO PERÚ PUERTO RICO
SERBIA SUDÁFRICA REINO UNIDO DE GRAN BRETAÑA E IRLANDA DEL NORTE**
REPÚBLICA CHECA REPÚBLICA DE COREA (COREA DEL SUR) REPÚBLICA HELÉNICA (GRECIA)
RUMANIA SANTA SEDE (VATICANO) SINGAPUR
SUECIA SUIZA TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO
UCRANIA URUGUAY  

*Their dependencies receive the same treatment.

**Includes England, Wales, and Scotland.

Written by: Nathalie Blau