The Digital Nomad Visa in Costa Rica has been receiving applications for some time now and we keep getting asked by clients and readers about the process of applying for a stay under this migrant category. Our office was able to secure one of the first approvals for our clients that was approved in September 2022 and we want to share more about the steps we took, how long before it was granted, and the benefits of living in Costa Rica under this class of temporary residence visa.

Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa

Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa is intended for remote employees, business owners, and freelancers who want to stay in the country for a longer period of time than a tourist visa allows. These visas are technically more resident permits, allowing digital nomads to live and operate in the country. For this category of migration, the applicant must work for a foreign company, operate a foreign business, or work as a freelancer with clients from foreign countries to be eligible for a digital nomad visa. This category of visa is ideal for people who want to work abroad without the hassle of frequent border crossings and who are not ready to commit to the residency process. Typically, a tourist visa in Costa Rica lasts up to 90 days, after which travelers must leave the country. Those who want to stay longer must exit Costa Rica for a minimum number of days (according to the country of onward travel) and then apply to return to Costa Rica at the border (roughly a 1 hour process if successful). However, digital nomads in Costa Rica can apply to stay in the country for one year with the option to renew for another year if the applicant(s) stayed in the country for at least 180 days in the first year. Along with the ability to stay for a year in Costa Rica, digital nomads can also open a local bank account with their visas. They are exempt from paying local Costa Rican taxes on income and may drive with their driver’s license from their country of origin for the duration of their accepted length of stay.  Digital nomad visa holders are also exempt from paying import taxes on personal and business items when they move to Costa Rica. They are allowed to import two vehicles, computers, equipment, and other items tax-free. Applicants may bring their spouse and dependents with them to Costa Rica with this visa.

The Purpose of the Digital Nomad Visa

This legislation was passed in August 2021 in the hopes that it will contribute towards improving tourism in Costa Rica by promoting long-stay visits and increasing the spending of foreign money in the country. “This is a project that has the words employment and well-being written across all its pages throughout the national territory, because it makes it easier for people from different parts of the world to be able to work in Costa Rica and that this attracts all the investments and contributions that it can bring. The digital nomad consumes services, food, makes purchases, uses transportation, hires people... All of this generates more employment in the country and everything comes to generate growth," said then-President Alvarado. Since the legislation was passed, Costa Rica’s Migration department has approved 421 applicants from 45 different countries. Nomads from Nicaragua, the United States and Canada make up 44% of the applicants in this category of special residence. The digital nomad law has already had an impact on tourist sites thanks to draw factors such as time zone similarities to the US and Canada, as well as the local English language skills are important advantages in attracting teleworkers.

Steps For How To Apply For Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa

To begin the process of applying under the migrant category of Digital Nomad in Costa Rica, you can start filling out the forms on the Tramite Ya website prior to entering Costa Rica. However, for two of the steps in the process, you will need to show entry stamps on your passport and make payments at the local bank to the immigration account, and will therefore need to enter Costa Rica to complete your application. We do recommend creating an account on Tramite Ya and reading the requirement list before coming to Costa Rica since it will be much easier to gather the necessary documents while still in your country of origin and subsequently enter Costa Rica to complete the process.

Requirements For Application

​Foreign nationals may apply under the immigration subcategory of Stay (Estancia) for Remote Workers and Service Providers (digital nomads) if they provide paid services remotely. These can be subcontractor positions, in digital technologies, or telecommunications. To apply you must be located outside of Costa Rica, earning a minimum amount of three thousand U.S. dollars ($3,000.00) per month from a source originating from outside of Costa Rica, or a minimum of four thousand U.S. dollars ($4,000.00) per month if they also wish to apply for their dependents. The above amounts will be determined in accordance with the official sale price set by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The applicant must provide:

• Application form signed by the applicant or their representative. The applicant can submit the form online through the Tramite Ya digital platform or in person using a physical form in the central or regional offices of the General Directorate of Immigration (DGEM). 
• Receipt confirming payment to the Government in the amount of one hundred US dollars ($100.00) or the equivalent amount in Costa Rican colones.
• A copy of the photo page of the foreign national's valid passport as well as the page containing the Costa Rican entry stamp if the applicant is already in Costa Rica.
• Consular or restricted visas as applicable based on the applicant's nationality.
• Bank statements accompanied by an affidavit declaring that the statements have been requested and obtained from the corresponding financial institution or a certification issued by a public accountant or notary public showing a monthly income of at least $3000 US dollars for individuals and $4000 US dollars for a family. This certification is the only component that must be accompanied by consular legalization or apostille.

All documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official translation in Spanish. Applications for underage children or children with disabilities of any age must be signed by the parent completing the application or whose application in this sub-category has been approved, or the latter's special representative. If the application is submitted by a representative, it must be accompanied by the respective power of attorney granted under the laws governing such legal acts. The issuance of visas in this category is subject to a security review by DGME of the criminal and police records via the national and international databases to which it has access. Likewise, if it deems it appropriate, DGME may carry out biometric revisions in order to safeguard national security.

Requirements for Dependents

Spouses or common-law partners, children under twenty-five years of age or children of any age with disabilities, and/or seniors who live with the applicant are all able to be dependents under the Digital Nomad Visa. In addition to the above, familial connections must be proven using one of the following requirements from their country of origin:

• Marriage certificate issued in the last six months.
• A document that clearly represents a declaration or recognition of the civil union, issued in the last six months by the competent authority.
• A copy of the birth certificate of minor children or unmarried children up to the age of 25.
• If the dependent is a person with disabilities, a medical opinion that identifies the condition.
• Accompanying seniors must demonstrate the existence of a familial link or cohabitation with the person applying under this special Estancia category by means of an affidavit to that effect. 

Procedure For Applying

Whether applying digitally or in person, applicants must complete the registration process on the digital platform (Tramite Ya). If the applicant intends to submit a physical, in-person application, they must make an appointment through the DGME's Web Appointments Portal using the option of Stay (Estancia) for Digital Nomads.   If the application is made in person, the applicant must appear at the Service Platform of the Foreign Nationals Administration (Plataforma de Servicios de la Gestión de Extranjería) with all of the necessary requirements for opening their file. This Platform is located in the central DGME offices in La Uruca, or in the regional offices that carry out the DGME's administrative procedures. The Foreign Nationals Administration or the respective regional coordinating body will have a period of 15 calendar days from the date on which the application is submitted to issue a resolution in writing to the application. No more than 5 calendar days after receiving the application, the office processing the file will issue a single written notice, in which it lists the requirements left out of the application, or requests that the user provide clarifying or supplementary information. The applicant will have 8 working days to complete or clarify their application. If the requirements listed in the notice are not submitted within eight working days, the application will be rejected and the file will be archived.  ​

Issuance of the Immigration Document

Once a notification has been sent regarding the resolution granting the ability to remain legally in Costa Rica under the immigration sub-category of Stay (Estancia) for Remote Workers and Service Providers, the foreign national and/or their dependent(s) will have a period of three months to process their immigration accreditation document. If the individual does not complete the process within this time period, procedures will be initiated with the aim of canceling the immigration status granted. To get the immigration accreditation document, applicants must request an appointment by calling the Immigration Call Center at 1311 or the Bank of Costa Rica at 800-227-2482. On the day of the appointment, the foreign national must provide:

• A receipt confirming payment to the Government in the amount indicated in the approval resolution.
• A receipt confirming payment to the Government in the amount of ninety US dollars ($90.00), corresponding to the request for legal stay documents, as well as the issuance of the document that certifies the legal stay and the fees corresponding to the Special Social Immigration Fund.
• Passport of the foreign national that is valid and in good repair. The passport used to initiate the passport must be provided as a proof of identity.
• Medical Services Policy that covers the applicant and their dependents for the full period of the authorized legal stay.

The Required Medical Services Policy

​The policy must cover the full period of the legal stay authorized and must include coverage guarantees for medical expenses in the event of illnesses in Costa Rica of at least fifty thousand US dollars ($50,000.00). Its period of validity must cover the duration of the stay in the country. The medical services policy may be offered by one of the insurance companies authorized by the Office of the Superintendent General of Insurance of Costa Rica (INS). Alternately, applicants may obtain an international insurance policy with the above-mentioned coverage. In the event of family groups, each family member must have a medical services policy that follows the above points.

Renewal of Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa

For renewals under this immigration category, applicants must demonstrate that they have been present in the territory of Costa Rica for a minimum period of 180 days of their first year under this category of visa. Renewal is also subject to the following requirements:

• Application form signed by the applicant or their representative on the Tramite Ya digital platform.
• Bank statements accompanied by an affidavit declaring that the statements have been requested and obtained from the corresponding financial institution. These statements must provide evidence of income and indicate that the individual has received payment or remuneration during the previous year from outside Costa Rica in an amount not less than three thousand US dollars ($3,000.00) per month at the official sale rate determined by the Central Bank of Costa Rica, or four thousand US dollars ($4,000.00) if the applicant is requesting that their family group be granted permission to legally stay in Costa Rica. Alternatively, the applicant may submit a certification of the above issued by a public accountant or notary public, if the procedure is completed in Costa Rica, or by the counterparts of such professionals abroad in accordance with the legislation of the respective country. This certification is the only component that must be accompanied by the respective consular legalization or apostille.
• A receipt confirming payment to the Government in the amount indicated in the approval resolution.
• A receipt confirming payment to the Government in the amount of ninety US dollars ($90.00) and the fees corresponding to the Special Social Immigration Fund.
• Passport of the foreign national that is valid and in good repair. The passport used to initiate the passport must be provided as a proof of identity.
• Medical Services Policy that covers the applicant and their dependents for the full period of the authorized legal stay.