Just to let you know that Costa Rica has passed a new law allowing digital nomads to work remotely there for a year, with the option to extend it for another year.
What do you say to that? Want to know more about Costa Rica as a digital nomad destination?
First of all, to get a visa, you’ll have to meet requirements such as having a remote job or being registered as self-employed.
You must have a health insurance policy and show bank statements that confirm monthly income equal to or greater than 3,000 US dollars.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to get a Costa Rica digital nomad visa.
Requirements to get the Costa Rica digital nomad visa
The Costa Rica digital nomad visa offers several advantages to people who want to work remotely in the country for one year, which can be extended for another year.
To get this visa, you’ll need to meet certain requirements that are listed below.
General requirements
- The applicant must have a valid passport with a minimum validity period of six months from the date of entry into Costa Rica.
- You have to complete and sign the visa application form, which can be downloaded online or completed at the country’s Immigration offices.
- Applicants must pay a visa application fee of USD 50.
- A recent passport-sized photograph must be provided.
Remote work requirements
- Applicants must have a remote job or be registered as self-employed in their country of origin
- The visa allows any activity that provides a paid service whether online or remotely
- You may not work for Costa Rican clients or engage in any type of paid activity during your stay in the country
Income and travel insurance requirements
- Applicants need to submit bank statements showing a monthly income equal to or greater than US$3,000.
- Applicants must have a valid health insurance policy in Costa Rica that fully covers medical and hospitalization bills for the full length of their stay in the country
Application process for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa
The visa application process for digital nomads in Costa Rica is relatively straightforward, but there are documents to submit and formalities to be done. You should make sure you have everything you need before you complete the application form.
Application form and submitting documents
To apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa, you need to fill out a form that can be downloaded from the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.
Personal data, remote or self-employment work information must be provided in this form, and the documents required, such as travel insurance, monthly income statements, and other documents which may need to be officially translated into Spanish, must be attached.
You should make sure you fill out the form correctly and attach all the required documents. If anything is missing or incomplete, the application may be rejected or more information may need to be supplied.
Deadlines and response times
Once the application form has been completed and all documents submitted, you must wait around 10 to 15 business days to receive a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.
If the application is approved, the appropriate fee (currently USD 50) must be paid to collect the visa.
Getting the visa and requirements to collect it
Once the Costa Rica Digital Nomad visa application is approved, visas can be collected from Immigration offices.
You will need to take a copy of the approval confirmation, your passport and the fee with you. You should note that the Costa Rica digital nomad visa must be collected in person.
If you cannot collect it yourself, you may authorize someone else to do so on your behalf with a notarial letter.
It is essential to note the restrictions and conditions that apply to the Costa Rica digital nomad visa. Certain requirements also need to be met to extend or renew the visa.
You must review the detailed information carefully before you apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa.
Additional visa considerations for digital nomads in Costa Rica
The Costa Rica digital nomad visa is an excellent choice for people looking for somewhere new to live and work. However, there are certain restrictions and conditions that you need to take into account before you apply for the visa.
Visa restrictions and conditions
- You may not work for Costa Rican clients nor engage in any type of paid activity during your stay in the country.
- You must have a health insurance policy and show bank statements that confirm monthly income equal to or greater than 3,000 US dollars.
- Any document issued in a foreign language must be officially translated into Spanish.
These restrictions and conditions should be borne in mind before you apply for the visa to avoid any potential problems or mix-ups.
Extending and renewing the visa
The visa is initially valid for one year, and can be extended for another. The extension is available exclusively to visa holders who have stayed in the country for a minimum of 180 days during the first year.
The extension application must be submitted before the expiry date of the initial visa and the same requirements as the initial application must be met.
Alternatives to the Costa Rica digital nomad visa
If the digital nomad visa is not the best option for you, keep in mind that other alternatives are available.
One of these is the temporary work visa, which lets you work for a Costa Rican company for a limited period of time. You also have the option to get permanent residence if you meet the necessary requirements.
It is important to research all available options and choose the best one for you before you apply.
Costa Rica as a location for digital nomads
If you decide in the end to go to Costa Rica, remember to go through all the steps so you don’t miss anything.
We hope your stay in Costa Rica is a happy one.
We would love to hear about your experience!
