COSTA RICA - ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND VISAS
A Visa constitutes an authorization of entry to a country. In the case of Costa Rica, Visas are granted according
to the nationality of each individual. The Costa Rican Immigration Department,
part of the Ministry of Governance and Police,has established 4 groups of countries of origin.
Other than the Visa, all people must comply with the following:
- Ticket of a continuing trip or return to your country of origin
- Demonstration of economic solvency during your stay in Costa Rica
- Not have any standing impediment of entry
- Passport in good state. Must be valid for a period of time according to the group your country is in
- For Group 1, passport must be valid until the date of departure
- For Group 2, passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry
- For Groups 3 and 4, passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
When entering the country, the immigration officer will grant an admission for up to 90 days,
upon determining the individual will participate in tourism activities as described by the World Tourism Organization (www.unwto.org)
as long as these activities will not lead to receive any compensation.
Group 1 - People with passports from these countries will not need a consular Visa to visit Costa Rica.
Your valid passport while in the country is sufficient
| Argentina | Australia and dependencies | Austria - Österreich |
| Bahamas | Barbados | Belgium - Belgique |
| Brazil - Brasil | Bulgaria - Balgaria | Canada |
| Croatia - Hrvatska | Cyprus | Czech Republic - Czechia |
| Denmark and dependencies - Danmark | Estonia - Eesti | Finland - Suomi |
| France | Germany - Deutschland | Greece - Hellas |
| Holland - Netherlands and dependences | Hungary - Magyarország | Iceland - Iśland |
| Ireland | Israel | Italy - Italia |
| Japan - Nippon | Latvia - Latvija | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania - Lietuva | Luxembourg - Lëtzebuerg | Malta |
| Mexico - México | Monaco | Montenegro |
| New Zealand | Norway - Norge and dependencies | Panama - Panamá |
| Paraguay | Poland - Polska | Portugal |
| Puerto Rico | Romania - România | San Marino |
| Serbia - Srbija | Singapore - Temasek | Slovakia - Slovenska |
| Slovenia - Slovenija | South Africa - Suid-Afrika | South Korea - Namhan |
| Spain - España | Sweden - Sverige | Switzerland - Confoederatio Helvetica |
| Trinidad and Tobago | United Kingdom | United States of America |
| Uruguay | Vatican City - Vaticano |
Group 2 - People bearing passports from the following countries do not need a consular Visa to enter Costa Rica, passport must be valid for least 3 months
| Antigua and Barbuda | Belize | Bolivia |
| Dominica | El Salvador | Russia - Россия |
| Philippines - Pilipinas | Fiji - Matanitu ko Viti | Grenada - La Grenade |
| Guatemala | Guyana | Honduras |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Marshall Islands | Solomon Islands |
| Kiribati | Maldives | Mauritius |
| Micronesia | Nauru | Palau |
| Tonga | Samoa - Sāmoa | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Saint Lucia | São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Seychelles | Surinam | Tuvalu |
| Turkey - Türkiye | Vanatu | Venezuela |
Groups 3 and 4 comprise all other countries
If you belong to a country in these groups you may (see below) have to request a Visa to visit Costa Rica.
IMPORTANT:
There is an exception to this rule, if you are from a country in groups 3 and 4 and have a multiple entry visa to the United States of
America (B1-B2, D or CI/D), Canada, the European Union or Japan, or legally live in the United States, the Visa will be waived.
For further information contact the nearest Costa Rican representation, a list can be found at
official website of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Costa Rica
For any additional information or advice, contact us, just follow this link!
