Costa Rica has made it official: if your job lives online and your heart lives somewhere between surf breaks and sloth sanctuaries, you can have both. The country’s Digital Nomad Visa (technically, the non-resident stay—Estancia—for Remote Workers and Service Providers) lets qualified remote professionals live legally in Costa Rica for up to a year, with the option to renew once. Below you’ll find the clean, current details—what you really need to qualify, the fees that actually get charged, and how to move from “thinking about it” to “working from a café in Santa Teresa with decent Wi-Fi.”
I’ll keep the tone friendly and the facts tight. Where it matters, you’ll see verification from Costa Rica’s tourism board, the immigration law itself (Ley 10.008), and its implementing regulation. Pura vida—with paperwork done right.
Who Really Qualifies (No Hand-waving)
You’re eligible if you:
- Work remotely for clients or a company outside Costa Rica—as an employee, freelancer, or business owner. The visa does not let you take paid local work for Costa Rican employers. (That’s written into the law—don’t ignore it.) PGR Web
- Show stable, outside-Costa-Rica income of at least US $3,000 per month as an individual. If you’re bringing dependents (spouse/partner, kids under 25 or of any age with a disability, or an elderly parent who lives with you), the threshold is US $4,000 per month (combined household income counts). V
- Hold medical insurance that covers your entire authorized stay and at least US $50,000 in medical expenses in Costa Rica. (Yes, they really specify the number.) PGR Web
Good to know: You can submit your application online and you do not have to be abroad to do it. If you apply while you’re already in Costa Rica, you include the passport page with your entry stamp. Visit Costa Rica
What You Get (and What You Don’t)
- Legal stay for up to 1 year, renewable once for another year. Renewal requires you to have spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year. (That’s six months on the ground—plan accordingly.) PGR Web
- Costa Rican income-tax exemption on your foreign-source income while in this category and you’re not considered a Costa Rican tax resident just for holding this visa. (Your home-country taxes are a separate story—talk to your tax pro.) PGR Web
- Duty-free import of basic work equipment (laptop, phone, camera, etc.) while you hold this status. PGR Web
- Ability to open a local bank account (subject to banking rules). Your home country’s valid driver’s license is recognized while you’re under this status. PGR Web
What you don’t get: permission to take paid local employment for Costa Rican entities while on the digital nomad status. Keep your income strictly foreign-sourced and you’ll stay in the “fun sunsets, not legal headaches” lane. PGR Web
Documents You’ll Need (Exactly What Immigration Asks For)
Prepare clean, legible scans before you start the online application:
- Passport (bio page; include your Costa Rica entry stamp page if you’re applying from within the country). Visit Costa Rica
- Income proof for the last 12 months: bank statements plus a sworn statement that the statements came from the bank; or a certification by a public accountant/notary (with apostille/legalization if issued abroad). This is what shows your US $3,000 / US $4,000 monthly income. Visit Costa Rica
- Medical insurance valid for the whole stay with US $50,000 minimum coverage in Costa Rica (each family member needs their own policy). PGR Web
- Translations into Spanish for documents issued in other languages (use an official translator/notary; it prevents bottlenecks).
- Security check: DGME (immigration) runs its own criminal/police database checks and may request supporting certificates; respond if asked. Visit Costa Rica
Tip: Don’t over-upload extras. Give them exactly what’s on the list; it speeds things up.
Fees and the Real Costs (So You Can Budget)
- Application fee: US $100 (paid to the Ministry of Finance; international transfers must arrive net of fees—Banco de Costa Rica also charges a receiving fee). Visit Costa Rica
- Document issuance (DIMEX) fee: US $90—paid after approval when you go for your photo/biometrics and pick up your ID card. PGR Web
- Security deposit (guarantee) for non-residents: required upon issuance; amount per the deposit-fund regulation (varies—DGME will list it in your approval instructions). PGR Web
- Translations/apostilles and insurance are separate, market-rate costs (plan ahead).
Step-By-Step: How to Apply Online (and Actually Get Approved)
Step 1 — Prep your file like a pro.
Gather your passport scan, income proof for the previous 12 months (with the required affidavit/certification), insurance policy with US $50,000 coverage, and Spanish translations for any non-Spanish documents.
Step 2 — Pay the US $100 application fee.
Follow the official instructions precisely; if you wire from abroad, make sure the government receives the full US $100 after bank fees. Keep the receipt. Visit Costa Rica
Step 3 — Apply online.
Create your account and submit through the official digital platform (Trámite Ya). Upload only what’s required, clearly labeled. If you’re already in Costa Rica, include your passport’s entry stamp page. Visit Costa Rica
Step 4 — Watch for a one-time “fix/clarify” notice.
By regulation, DGME reviews and—if something’s missing—sends a single prevention notice. You get 8 business days to correct. Don’t miss that window. PGR Web
Step 5 — Decision timeline.
The regulation gives DGME 15 calendar days to issue a decision (the clock pauses if they’ve asked you to fix something). In practice, timelines can vary—complete files get processed faster. PGR Web
Step 6 — After approval: get your DIMEX.
You have 3 months to schedule biometrics, pay the US $90 issuance fee, show your insurance, and post the required guarantee deposit. Bring your passport. Miss the 3-month window and they can cancel your newly granted status. PGR Web
Bringing Family? Here’s the Snapshot
- Who counts as dependents: spouse/recognized partner, children under 25 (or any age with a disability), and elderly parents who live with you. Documents proving the relationship must be recent (typically issued within the last six months) and accompanied by official translations if not in Spanish. Everyone needs their own insurance policy.
- Income threshold: US $4,000 per month combined. PGR Web
Renewal: How to Secure Year Two
- Show you met the 180-day physical-presence requirement in Costa Rica during year one. PGR Web
- Maintain the same income thresholds and valid insurance. (The process resembles the first application; DGME spells out what to submit.) PGR Web
Taxes, Banking, and Practicalities (Read This Twice)
- Costa Rica taxes: While on this status, your foreign-source income is exempt from Costa Rican income tax, and you’re not considered a Costa Rican tax resident solely due to this visa. That’s local law. Your home-country tax obligations are separate—speak to a qualified advisor. PGR Web
- Local work: Don’t take gigs from Costa Rican clients under this status. Remote work must be for outside-Costa-Rica entities. PGR Web
- Banking & license: You may open a local bank account (subject to compliance checks) and drive with your valid home license while your digital nomad status is valid. PGR Web
Common Mistakes That Slow (or Sink) Applications
- Using average annual income instead of monthly stability. Immigration wants evidence you consistently met the monthly threshold across the last 12 months. Visit Costa Rica
- Skipping official translations. If a document isn’t in Spanish, translate it properly (official translator/notary). It’s required and it prevents “please resubmit” emails. Visit Costa Rica
- Letting the approval go stale. After you’re approved, you have 3 months to show up for biometrics and pay issuance fees. Don’t let the clock run out. PGR Web
- Trying to work locally. The law is explicit—remote, foreign-source income only. Save yourself the headache. PGR Web
Quick FAQ (Because You’ll Ask)
Do I need to apply from outside Costa Rica?
No. You can apply online from inside or outside the country. If you’re already in Costa Rica, include your entry stamp page. Visit Costa Rica
How long does approval take?
The regulation sets a 15-day decision window (excluding time to fix missing items). Real-world timing depends on file completeness and workload. PGR Web
Is a police clearance required?
DGME runs criminal/police checks through national/international databases and may request supporting certificates. If they do, provide a recent, properly legalized copy per their instructions. Visit Costa Rica
What exactly are the fees?
US $100 application fee up front; after approval, US $90 to issue your DIMEX card, plus the required security deposit for non-residents. Budget separately for translations and insurance.
The Bottom Line
If you can prove the income, carry proper insurance, and keep your work outside Costa Rica, the Digital Nomad Visa offers a clean legal path to spend a year (or two) living the pura vida life—with real benefits and predictable rules. File a tidy application, answer any prevention notices promptly, and don’t forget to book that biometrics appointment once you’re approved. The rest is sunsets, spreadsheets, and good coffee.
