Costa Rica visa

If you are someone who loves lush landscapes, interacting with wildlife and lounging on beautiful protected beaches away from crowded streets and tall buildings then Costa Rica is the place for you.

However, depending on your destination country, visiting Costa Rica may not be as simple as booking a flight. Some nationalities must apply for a Costa Rica visa before being allowed to enter the country.

This article will detail the Costa Rica visa application process and requirements as well as other frequently asked questions.

 
 

Who Needs to Apply for a Visa to Costa Rica?

The Costa Rica visa policy is divided into four groups:

  1. Visa-exempt nationals who are allowed to travel to Costa Rica with just their passport which must be valid for at least one more day from the date of entry. This category included nationals of the United States and European Union member states. They are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for a maximum of 90 days.
  2. Visa-exempt nationals who are allowed to travel to Costa Rica with just their passport which must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival. They are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for a maximum of 30 days.
  3. Foreign nationals requiring a Costa Rican consular visa, must apply for it at the Costa Rican consulate in their country of residence. Costa Rica visas allow them to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
  4. Foreign nationals require limited visas to Costa Rica. This type of visa must be approved by the Restricted Visa Committee. If approved, it allows its owner to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

What are the Requirements for a Costa Rica Visa for USA Nationals

US citizens do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica for tourism purposes (up to 90 days): they can travel with just their passport and will receive an entry stamp on their passport from immigration officials .

However, upon arrival, the passport must be valid for at least one more day and they must prove that they have at least $300.

For stays longer than 90 days, they must have a residence permit in Costa Rica.

 
 

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What are the Costa Rica Visa requirements?

The necessary documents you must submit with your Costa Rica visa application are:

  1. A cover letter, addressed to the Costa Rican consulate, including:
    • Purpose of your trip
    • Personal information Your ID (name, age, date and place of birth)
    • Passport number
    • Nationality
    • Place of residence
    • Expected dates of arrival and departure from Costa Rica
    • Where you will stay during your stay in Costa Rica
    • Date
    • Contact details
    • Your signature
  2. A full copy of the pages of your passport. Your passport must be valid for an additional six months.
  3. Book round-trip air tickets. You should not pay for your ticket until your visa application is approved. Read here how to book flight tickets without paying full price.
  4. Two photos of you with the following specifications:
    • 2 inches x 2 inches
    • White background
    • Neutral facial expression, looking straight ahead
    • Glasses are allowed as long as they do not obscure the eyes or face yours (no thick frames, no reflections, no tinted glasses)
    • Head coverings are not allowed unless for religious purposes. However, it should not obstruct the face.
  5. Evidence of adequate financial capacity, such as through bank statements for the last three months, letter from employer, proof of ownership.
  6. Criminal record certificate from your country.
  7. Proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are from an area at risk of yellow fever.
  8. If you are a visa holder or permanent resident in another country: Must present proof of visa/residence permit.

The documents you submit must be translated into Spanish and legalized.

Please remember that this is not a complete list of requirements as the Costa Rican consulate will request additional documents as they deem appropriate based on your circumstances.

How to Apply for an Costa Rica Visa?

  1. Begin by clicking on the “Login” button, which can be found in the menu on the right side of the screen.
  2. If you haven’t registered yet, please register yourself first. After registering, proceed to log in to the panel.
  3. Once you are logged in, navigate to the menu on the left side of the panel.
  4. Select the “Visa Application Form” option from the menu.
  5. Fill out this form with the required information.
  6. Finally, submit the completed form.

What are the Requirements for a Costa Rica Visa for Indian Nationals?

Indian citizens must apply for a consular visa before arriving in Costa Rica. They can apply using the application procedure described above.

How long does it take to get a Costa Rica visa?

The Costa Rica visa processing time is about 30 calendar days. 

How Much is the Costa Rica Visa fee?

The visa application fee to Costa Rica is 52 USD.

You must pay the Costa Rica visa fee once your visa is approved. The visa fee is non-refundable even if you are not allowed entry upon arrival in Costa Rica. The consulate where you apply will inform you about the payment method.

Sometimes you may need to pay at the embassy because the consulate may not accept payments. You must show the receipt of the Costa Rica visa fee payment, however.

 

Is a Costa Rica Visa All the Permission You Need to Enter the Country?

No, this is not the case. After receiving your Costa Rica visa, you will still have to undergo immigration inspection at the Costa Rican port of entry. If immigration officers at border control decide to allow you entry, they will stamp your passport with this decision. If you are not allowed entry, you must return to your country.

Your visa fee will not be refunded.

Can you Extend a Costa Rica Visa?

Yes you can. You can extend your Costa Rica tourist visa for another 60 days by applying to the Costa Rican Immigration Directorate. You must submit evidence of why you are requesting an extension.

Do I Need a Passport to Enter Costa Rica?

Yes, all foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, intending to enter Costa Rica must have a valid passport. The validity of your passport depends on your country.

Foreign citizens exempted from visa group 1 must have a passport valid for at least one day after entry. Foreigners exempted from visa group 2 need to have a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry.

Citizens requiring a visa must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of visa application.

What is the Costa Rica Departure Tax?

Yes, all foreign nationals entering Costa Rica must pay departure tax prior to departure.

The fee is around US$28-29 and you can pay in local currency, US dollars or by credit card.

However, check with your airline agent whether your flight ticket includes departure tax, as some airlines do.

How Can You Go to Costa Rica to Work or Study?

Yes, all foreign nationals entering Costa Rica must pay departure tax prior to departure. The fee is around US$28-29 and you can pay in local currency, US dollars or by credit card. However, check with your airline agent whether your flight ticket includes departure tax, as some airlines do.

Can Visa Holders of the US and Europe Enter Costa Rica?

Yes, if you have a visa to a Schengen country and the EU, US, Canada or South Korea, you can use that visa to enter Costa Rica, as long as the visa is still valid. You can stay for the remainder of your current visa or for the period you are authorized to stay in Costa Rica.

https://visaguide.world/north-america-caribbean/costa-rica-visa/

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