Costa Rica Visa Essentials: Types, Exemptions, and How to Apply

(COSTA RICA) Costa Rica’s 2026 visa requirements are straightforward for most visitors, but the November 2025 updates make document validity checks non‑negotiable at the border. If you arrive with the wrong visa category, weak proof of funds, or an onward ticket that doesn’t match your plan, an officer can refuse entry.

Most travelers fall into visa‑free groups and need only a passport, proof of money, and proof they’ll leave. Still, Costa Rica has reported a slight rise in denials tied to incomplete paperwork. Preparation now saves you from a ruined trip.

Nationality groups and what they mean

Costa Rica places visitors into four nationality‑based groups that determine visa requirements and permitted stay length.

• Group 1: Citizens of the United States (🇺🇸), Canada (🇨🇦), most EU countries, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Israel, and many others.
• Visa-free entry up to 180 days.
• Passport validity: at least one day from the entry date.

• Group 2: Includes Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, and several Pacific island nations.

• Visa-free entry; standard stay up to 30 days, extendable to 90 days.
• Passport validity: at least three months from entry.

• Note: Honduras moved from Group 3 to Group 2 under the November 2025 changes.

• Group 3: Nationals who must obtain a consular visa before travel (examples: China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Peru, Thailand, Vietnam, plus many African and Middle Eastern countries).

• Passport validity: at least six months.

• Group 4: Restricted category requiring special commission approval before a visa is issued (examples: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, North Korea, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, and others).

• Passport validity: at least six months.

Third‑country visa/residence exemptions — new strict rules

Costa Rica allows some travelers to enter without a Costa Rican visa if they hold a valid multiple‑entry visa or residence permit from the United States (🇺🇸), Canada (🇨🇦), or the Schengen Area. The November 2025 change tightened acceptance criteria:

• The third‑country document must have at least 90 days of validity remaining on the date you arrive in Costa Rica.
• For Schengen visas used as the exemption:
• Must be multiple‑entry (Category C or D).
• Must be issued for no more than 90 days.
• Must be valid for at least one calendar day starting on your planned Costa Rica entry date.
• If the Schengen visa’s validity begins after your Costa Rica arrival date, Costa Rica will not accept it.
• Your stay in Costa Rica cannot exceed the remaining validity on that Schengen visa.

These rules especially affect Group 3 and Group 4 nationals trying to avoid a consular visa by relying on U.S., Canadian, or Schengen documents. Check validity dates before booking non‑refundable travel.

The universal entry file (what to bring)

Costa Rica enforces baseline entry checks at airports and land borders. Prepare a small “entry file” to show quickly at immigration:

• Passport meeting your group’s validity rule. Passports must be machine‑readable (ICAO standards).
• Proof of economic means: at least $100 USD per month of your stay. Officers can ask for bank statements or equivalent records.
• Return or onward ticket: A bus ticket, cruise booking, or flight reservation can satisfy this. Essential if arriving on a one‑way ticket, leaving from a different country, or if your return is dated more than 90 days after arrival.
• First accommodation details: Hotel booking or host address speeds up questioning.
• Required health documents: e.g., Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if arriving from a yellow‑fever endemic area (Africa or South America). No COVID‑19 tourist entry restrictions currently.

Additional points and recent change:

• You must have no criminal record or other legal bar to entry.
• New November 2025 rule for Hondurans (age 18+): must present a non‑apostilled Police Clearance Certificate at entry unless transiting or using an eligible third‑country visa/status.
• For a single authoritative checklist, consult Costa Rica’s DGME official guidance: https://www.migracion.go.cr/

Important: Officers can refuse entry for incorrect visa category, inadequate funds proof, or mismatched onward ticket. Always carry originals and clear copies.

Applying for a consular visa (Groups 3 and 4)

If you are in Group 3 or Group 4, start the consular visa process early.

• Processing time: Plan 4–6 weeks, longer if your case requires restricted commission approval.
• November 2025 update: Group 3 nationals may receive two consular visas at the same time for valid reasons (e.g., back‑to‑back trips), avoiding a second application mid‑travel.

Basic application sequence:

1. Match the visa to your purpose. Tourist travel uses the standard entry visa; study, work, or residence need different permits.
2. Contact the nearest Costa Rican consulate. Confirm local application procedures and required document formats.
3. Complete the application and assemble evidence. Expect to provide passport, photo, financial proof, onward ticket, and accommodation details. Work or study cases require employer/school letters.
4. Pay the fee and submit the file. Fees vary by consulate — confirm before payment.

Arrival inspections and officer discretion

At ports of entry (e.g., San José International Airport), immigration officers:

• Decide admission and the exact length of stay stamped in your passport.
• May question visa‑free travelers about trip purpose, lodging, and funds. Keep answers consistent with your documents.

Remote work rules:

• Remote work for foreign employers is permitted while visiting as a tourist provided you do not earn income inside Costa Rica or work for a Costa Rican company.
• Local employment requires a work authorization tied to an employer.

Context for stricter checks:

• Costa Rica received over 2.5 million visitors in the first nine months of 2025—an 8% increase from the prior year.
• Authorities say updated rules aim to keep borders orderly while supporting growth.
• Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes that travelers relying on near‑expiry U.S., Canadian, or Schengen documents now need more buffer time.

Extending your stay and penalties for overstays

If you want to extend your permitted stay, act before your current permission expires.

• Group 1 and Group 2: Apply at DGME offices at least two weeks before expiry. Bring proof of solvency and a clear reason to stay longer. Extensions can increase stays up to 180 days total depending on nationality.
• Group 3 and Group 4: Follow the terms on your issued visa; the DGME sets the process.

Penalties for overstays:

• Fines begin at $100 USD per month of overstay.
• Overstays can lead to deportation proceedings and entry bans up to 10 years.
• Prior immigration violations complicate future international travel.

Recommended timeline and checklist:

1. Confirm visa requirements at least two months before travel.
2. Keep passport, proof of funds, and onward ticket in your carry‑on.
3. When dates shift, recheck passport and third‑country document validity and any stamped dates.

Final takeaway: Thorough document checks and confirming validity well before departure are essential under the November 2025 rules.