VISAS, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR COSTA RICA
A Visa constitutes an authorization of entry to a country. In the case of Costa Rica, Visas are granted according
to the nationality of the person. The Costa Rican Immigration Department has established 4 groups of countries.
For the entry of visitors to Costa Rica, the General Direction of Immigration and Foreigners of Costa Rica,
part of the Ministry of Governance and Police, has defined the following rules, this was presented on August 21, 2014.
Other than the Visa, all people must comply with the following:
- Ticket of a continuing trip or return to the country of origin
- Demonstration of economic solvency for your stay in Costa Rica
- Not have a standing impediment of entry
- Passport in good state. Must be valid for a period according to the group your country is in
- For Group 1, passport must be valid until the date of departure
- For Group 2, passport must be valid for at least 3 months
- For Groups 3 and 4, passport must be valid for at least 6 months
When entering the country, the immigration officer will grant an admission for up to 90 days,
to all those who come to participate in tourism activities as described by the World Tourism Organization (www.unwto.org)
as long as the activities will not lead to receive any compensation.
Group 1
People with passports from these countries do not need a consular Visa to enter Costa Rica
(a valid passport while in the Costa Rica is sufficient)
| Argentina | Australia and dependencies | Austria - Österreich |
| Bahamas | Barbados | Belgium - Belgique |
| Brazil - Brasil | Bulgaria - Balgaria | Canada |
| Croatia - Hrvatska | Cyprus | Czech Republic - Czechia |
| Denmark and dependencies - Danmark | Estonia - Eesti | Finland - Suomi |
| France | Germany - Deutschland | Greece - Hellas |
| Holland - Netherlands and dependences | Hungary - Magyarország | Iceland - Iśland |
| Ireland | Israel | Italy - Italia |
| Japan - Nippon | Latvia - Latvija | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania - Lietuva | Luxembourg - Lëtzebuerg | Malta |
| Mexico - México | Monaco | Montenegro |
| New Zealand | Norway - Norge and dependencies | Panama - Panamá |
| Paraguay | Poland - Polska | Portugal |
| Puerto Rico | Romania - România | San Marino |
| Serbia - Srbija | Singapore - Temasek | Slovakia - Slovenska |
| Slovenia - Slovenija | South Africa - Suid-Afrika | South Korea - Namhan |
| Spain - España | Sweden - Sverige | Switzerland - Confoederatio Helvetica |
| Trinidad and Tobago | United Kingdom | United States of America |
| Uruguay | Vatican City - Vaticano |
Group 2
People with passports from these countries do not need a consular Visa to enter Costa Rica
(a valid passport with at least 3 months validity is required)
| Antigua and Barbuda | Belize | Bolivia |
| Dominica | El Salvador | Russia - Россия |
| Philippines - Pilipinas | Fiji - Matanitu ko Viti | Grenada - La Grenade |
| Guatemala | Guyana | Honduras |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Marshall Islands | Solomon Islands |
| Kiribati | Maldives | Mauritius |
| Micronesia | Nauru | Palau |
| Tonga | Samoa | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Saint Lucia | São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Seychelles | Surinam | Tuvalu |
| Turkey | Vanatu | Venezuela |
Groups 3 and 4 comprise all other countries
If you belong to a country in these groups you may have to request a Visa to visit Costa Rica.
IMPORTANT:
There is an exception to this rule, if you are from a country in groups 3 and 4 and have a multiple entry visa to the United States of
America (B1-B2, D or CI/D), Canada, the European Union or Japan, or legally live in the United States, the Visa will be waived.
For further information contact the nearest Costa Rican representation, a list can be found at
official website of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Costa Rica |
