Growing List of Restricted Visas in 2023
As of March 2023, Costa Rica has enforced restricted visa requirements for nationals from six more countries, bringing the total number of countries on this list to 21.
New Additions to the Restricted Visa Category
Nationals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan – all former Soviet Central Asian republics that gained independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, are now subjected to these restrictions.
What Does a Restricted Visa Mean?
Restricted visas are intended for foreigners who require a consular visa and cannot submit an application in their country of origin or usual residence. These are not work visas and must be processed in person at a Costa Rican consulate. Every application is forwarded to the Restricted Visa Commission of the Directorate of Migration and Immigration (DGME) for review.
Updated Guidelines
On March 28, the government updated the General Visa Guidelines for Non-Residents’ Entry and Stay, details of which can be found in Scope #54 of La Gaceta #57.
Countries Under the Restrictive Visa Umbrella
The six newly added countries join Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, Palestine, Bangladesh, Myanmar, North Korea, Iran, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Cuba, and Jamaica.
Who Doesn’t Need a Visa to Enter Costa Rica?
Costa Rica allows travelers from 98 nations to enter without a visa for stays ranging from 30 to 90 days. However, it does request prior visas from individuals from 102 countries, including those in the “restricted visa” category.
Terms for Non-Residents in Costa Rica
Non-residents allowed into Costa Rica, whether requiring a visa or not, can only legally engage in relaxation, recreation, leisure, business, or professional activities as long as these activities do not entail remuneration or profit within national territory. This aligns with the concept of “Tourism” as defined by the World Tourism Organization.
Restricted Visa Group Details:
- Validity of the Visa: One-time entry.
- Duration to Enter Costa Rica: Once the visa is approved, up to sixty days from the stamping in the passport.
- Mandatory Passport Validity: 180 natural days.
- Maximum Stay: Up to thirty natural days, extendable up to ninety natural days.
Countries with Restricted Visa Status:
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Myanmar, Palestine, Syria, North Korea, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
