New Visa Regulations

Effective February 16, 2009, nationals of countries that require a consular visa to enter Costa Rica are no longer required to apply for the visa, if the visitors are holders of:  

  • A valid tourist visa, crew member’s visa, or business visa to enter the U.S., Canada or the countries of the European Union. The tourist visa must be stamped in their passport and valid for at least 3 more months.

OR

  • A permanent residence (green card), student visa (F1, J1), work visa (H1B, G4, etc.), or refugee status in the United States, and/or in any country member of the European Union or Canada, valid for a minimum of 6 months. Residency extensions stamped on passport are not accepted.

The passport expiration date needs to be over 6 months from the day of arrival to the country

Visitors are allowed to remain in the country for up to 30 days.  All visa extensions should be requested at the Immigration Office in San José, Costa Rica

Nuevas Regulaciones

A partir del 16 de febrero de 2009, los ciudadanos de países que requirían de visa consular para entrar al país, ya no necesitarán aplicar para la visa si tienen:

  • Una visa de turismo, visa de tripulantes o visa de negocios, válida (entradas múltiples) para entrar a los Estados Unidos de América o cualquier país de la Unión Europea o Canadá. Esta visa debe estar estampada en el pasaporte y ser válida por más de 3 meses.

O

  • Residencia permanente (green card) visa de estudiante (F1, J1), visa de trabajo (H1B, G4, etc) en los Estados Unidos de América y/o la Unión Europea o Canadá con una vigencia no inferior a 6 meses.

El pasaporte debe ser válido por más de 6 meses a partir del día de entrada al país.

Visitantes pueden permanecer en el país por 30 días. Si se desea extender la visa, debe tramitarse en la Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería en San José, Costa Rica

Those nationals that do not meet these requirements must apply for a visa at the closest Costa Rica Consulate with the following requirements:

Requirements to obtain visa  

1.        A passport valid for at least 6 months (and photocopy of the page with your information).

2.        An application form. This is an official document, therefore only application forms issued at Consulates or from this website are accepted at the Consulates.

3.        A request letter addressed to Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. This letter will only be valid if faxed by the Consulate that will issue your visa. The immigration office does not process documents that are not presented by the Consulate of your jurisdiction.

4.        1 color photograph (2 x 2 inches).

5.        A round trip / ongoing flight itinerary within 30 days. It is recommended NOT to buy your airline ticket until your visa has been approved, but you must show a flight reservation with your name on it.

6.        A personal or company letter stating the purpose of your trip. If you have been invited by the government or a public or private institution, request a letter in Spanish addressed to the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería

7.        Proof of permanent legal status in the United States (Greencard, U.S. entry visa).  Individuals who do not meet these requirements should apply for visa in their country of origin.

8.        Proof of solid economic status (bank account statements, salary statements, etc.).

Fee

A refundable deposit wired to the bank account of the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in Costa Rica might be requested. The amount will be determined by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería and refunded  to you after you return to your country of residency. You must present a copy of the deposit slip to the Consulate. (This fee will probably have similar value to a ticket issued from Costa Rica to the place where your passport is from)

The deposit is transferred to Costa Rica, and then it has to be transferred back to the United States. Therefore you should consider that banks will charge a commission from the deposit!

Processing Time

Generally, the processing time is from three to eight weeks or more. The visa is approved by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, therefore the processing time may vary. Once it is approved, the Consulate processes it in 2 days.

Once the visa is issued and stamped in the passport the person must enter Costa Rica within 2 months.