Costa Rica is one of the popular destinations that attracts many tourists. Highlights of the place? Well, it is home to a lot of national parks, volcanoes,
beaches and wildlife. What if we tell you that now you can live in the country for up to a year? Well, yes! The country is offering a digital nomad visa under Rs 10,000. This means that non EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers will be able to live and work in Costa Rica. The objective is to attract professionals who are not bound to work from a particular location. Although the standard temporary stay in the country was originally capped (with up to 18 months and rules for reapplication after gaps), as of March 2025, amendments to the Aliens Act allow non-EU digital nomads to legally reside in Costa Rica for up to three years under the broader digital nomad framework, subject to updated regulatory implementation.
Who is eligible to apply for this visa?
- You can apply for the visa if you are a remote worker, a freelancer, or a self-employed professional.
- Work entirely online for a company or clients outside Costa Rica.
- Want to live in Costa Rica for up to a year, with the option to renew for an additional year.
- Have a minimum monthly income of $3,000 (Rs 2,62,476 approx), and it should be $4000 (Rs 3,49,967 approx) if you are applying with family.
- The visa is ideal for tax-free income, a warm climate, and a vibrant community of global professionals.
Documents required
- A valid passport
- Have no criminal record
- A valid health insurance that covers your stay in Costa Rica.
- Proof of income in the form of bank statements or salary slips for the past 12 months.
- A letter or contract from your employer or clients confirming your body of work.
- A criminal background check from your country of residence, including issues from the last 6 months.
- Proof of remote work or self-employment.
Also read: This Island Sees 69 Days Of Uninterrupted Sunlight In Summer
How to apply?
- Gather all your documents and get them translated into Spanish by a professional.
- Apply on the official website and upload your documents to complete your visa application.
- Pay the visa fee which is $100 (Rs 8,749 approx) and also pay a visa issuance fee which is around $90 (Rs 7,874 approx).
- It may take 15-30 days for your visa to get approved. Once it is approved, you will get a confirmation email.
- Once your visa is approved, you can enter Costa Rica, but you will need to register your stay with immigration authorities and obtain your DIMEX residency ID card.
Also read: Meet This Couple Who Chucked Their High-Paying Jobs And Made A Sailboat Their Home
