Costa Rica digital nomad visa: Complete guide

If you’re a digital nomad from the UK, there’s surely no better place to work remotely than Costa Rica - with its stunning natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, high quality of life and welcoming people.

But before you can hop on a plane there, you’ll need to get your paperwork sorted - and this means getting the right visa.

The good news is that Costa Rica has a dedicated visa for remote workers, which will let you legally live and work remotely in the country for a year. Read on for the lowdown on the digital nomad visa for Costa Rica. In our helpful guide, we’ll cover the fees, eligibility requirements, what documents you’ll need and how to apply.

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Costa Rica digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Costa Rica is one of many countries which has a digital nomad visa.

Launched in 2022, this visa allows eligible foreign nationals to legally live in Costa Rica and work remotely for an overseas employer - or for overseas clients if you’re a freelancer.

You can’t work for any local employers or get a job in Costa Rica on this visa. However, you can bring family members with you, which means your partner/spouse and any dependent children.

This visa lasts for 1 year, with the possibility of renewing it once.¹

To meet the Costa Rica digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to prove you have a minimum income of at least $3,000 USD (approx. £2,292 GBP) a month. If you’re bringing any family members with you, this increases to $4,000 USD (approx. £3,056 GBP) a month.²

How much does it cost?

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa costs $100 USD (approx. £76.42 GBP) in application fees, or the equivalent in Costa Rican colóns.²

You can only pay the visa fee by bank transfer,² so you might want to check the fees with your bank for sending money abroad - or look into an alternative provider such as Wise.

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance, or having documents translated.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Costa Rica:²

• A completed and signed application form - you can submit this online
• Copies of the pages of your valid passport showing your photo, personal details and biometrics
• Proof of payment for your application fee
• Proof of income - bank statements and an affidavit to prove that you meet the minimum annual income requirement for the previous year.

You’re also likely to need proof of medical insurance covering the duration of your stay. All documents must be translated into Spanish. If you’re applying with family members, you’ll also need supporting documents for them too.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Costa Rica

You can apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa online, at the TramiteYa

website. This is Costa Rica’s official platform for digital immigration procedures.

Here’s what you need to do, step-by-step:

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income requirement
2. Get your documents together
3. Go to the TramiteYa website and create an account
4. Pay the visa application fee by bank transfer - you’ll find details of how to do it here.
5. Complete the online application form and upload supporting documents where requested - this will include proof that you’ve already paid your application fee.
6. Wait for your application to be processed. If successful, you’ll receive further details about how to get and use your visa, and any further steps or applications you’ll need to make when you arrive in Costa Rica.

While you’re waiting for a decision to be made on your visa application, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations.

For example, finding somewhere to live, getting a Costa Rica SIM card for your phone and making your travel arrangements.

How long can you stay in Costa Rica as a digital nomad?

The digital nomad visa for Costa Rica lets you stay for up to 1 year, with the option to extend for a further year. This means a potential total stay of up to 2 years.¹

Taxes for digital nomads in Costa Rica

While you’re living and working in Costa Rica as a digital nomad, you’ll need to check whether you need to pay taxes on your income.

There’s no specific Costa Rica digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of Costa Rica.

But there’s good news here - as holders of a digital nomad visa are exempt from local income taxes as long as they earn all of their income from overseas.¹ This is one of the most attractive features of this visa.

However, this doesn’t mean that income taxes won’t be due back in the UK.

Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Costa Rica. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to Costa Rica, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and 140+ countries in 40+ currencies for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

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FAQs

Is it possible to extend the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?

Yes, you can apply to renew the Costa Rica digital nomad visa once, for a further 12 months. This means a total potential stay of up to 2 years.¹

Does a Costa Rica digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, there isn’t a direct route to citizenship with the Costa Rica digital nomad visa. It’s intended as a temporary visa and is not for people planning to settle in the country permanently or become a citizen.

If you want to move to Costa Rica permanently and explore routes to citizenship, you’ll need to be eligible for a different, long-term visa, such as a skilled work or residence pathway.

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

The processing time for Costa Rica digital nomad visa applications is around 15 working days,³ although it can vary - for example, during busy periods or if more information or documents are required.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 20-Nov-2025