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Restricted Visa

 

 

SITUATIONS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A TOURIST VISA TO ENTER TO COSTA RICA

Nationals of countries that require a VISA to enter Costa Rica are NO LONGER REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE VISA if:

 

  • You have a 1) tourist visa, crew visa or business visa of multiple entries to enter the UNITED STATES (Except C) or 2) a tourist or business entry visa to CANADA (multiple entries). Note: This visa must be stamped in the passport and must be valid for a minimum of 3 months from the day you enter Costa Rica. The length of stay may not be greater than the validity of the visa and may not exceed 30 days.
  • You have permanent residence (Greencard holder), a student visa (F1, J1, etc.), a work visa (H1B, G4, L1, EB-1, etc.) in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, SWITZERLAND, ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, NORWAY, ICELAND and countries members of the EUROPEAN UNION (those residence cards issued in a language other than Spanish or English must be translated into Spanish. This translation must have the apostille legalization. Please inquire with the Costa Rican Consulate in those countries to verify the application of this exception). Note 1: This type of visa must be stamped in the passport and must be valid for at least six months. Note 2: Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least six months. The residence card (Green Card) must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features. Note 3: Residence stamped on passports, parole work cards are not accepted as exceptions, therefore, these people are require to apply for a visa at the Consulate of your jurisdiction. Note 4: refugee or asylum status in  SWITZERLAND, ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, NORWAY, ICELAND and countries members of the EUROPEAN UNION are not accepted as exceptions, therefore, these people are require to apply for a visa.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and once in Costa Rica, you can remain for a maximum of 30 calendar days, An extension of the stay must be requested at the Office of Migration in Costa Rica.

If you don't comply with any of the above requirements please make an appointment at the Consulate of your jurisdiction to request the visa. On the day of your appointment, you must come in person and submit the following documents:

  1. A visa request letter addressed to the Consul of Costa Rica containing the following details: full name, nationality, passport number, home address, purpose of your trip, length of your trip, place and date of arrival and departure, profession or occupation, exact address in Costa Rica, date and place of birth, fax number for notifications or email, date of the request and signature.
  2. Application form. This is an official document, therefore only application forms issued at Consulates of Costa Rica or from this website are accepted.
  3. A passport valid for at least 6 months and photocopy of the entire passport.
  4. Your itinerary or a temporary reservation of your ticket. It is recommended that airline tickets not be purchased until your visa has been approved. 
  5. Proof of solid economic status (bank account statements, salary, statements, etc) for the last three months.
  6. Police record issued within the last six months.
  7. One color photograph (2x2 inches).
  8. Proof of legal status in the United States (green card, employment authorization card, student visa, work visa, parole). Visas will only be issued to individuals with a legal status in the United States. Individuals who do not meet these requirements should apply for a visa in their country of origin.
  9. The Consulate may require additional documents.
  10. Those applicants with asylum or refugee status in the United States must submit additional documentation such as the Birth Certificate and employment letter. All certifications must be authenticated/apostilled and duly translated to Spanish. 

PROVIDING THE DOCUMENTS LISTED ABOVE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE THE VISA. IF YOUR VISA IS DENIED, YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT SIX MONTHS IN ORDER TO APPLY AGAIN.

Cost

  • If the visa is approved by the Costa Rican Immigration Office, the cost will be $52.00 non-refundable. 
  • Some applicants might be required to make a security deposit to the bank account of the General Office of Migration in Costa Rica. The amount will be determined by the Office of Migration once the tourist visa has been approved. The deposit will be returned upon your arrival to your country of residence. Once notified, you must submit a copy of the deposit to the Consulate, and the visa will be stamped after verification of your deposit. You should consider the possibility that banks may charge a fee for the deposit.

Processing time: Approximately 90 days after the documents have been sent to the General Office of Migration in Costa Rica.