A Guide to Visa Types and Work Permits in Costa Rica

Jump right in:

• Work permits and employment-based visas
• Self-employment visas
• Residence permits: temporary and permanent

Use this guide to help you learn what you need to live and work legally in this beautiful, tropical country.

Work permits and employment-based visas

People looking into work permits and employment visas in Costa Rica may find the process difficult. Although the Latin American country is a popular expat destination, many of these expats are either retirees or self-employed workers who earn their income from outside the country. This is because Costa Rican law places great importance on employing its citizens and permanent residents before offering jobs to temporary inhabitants.

How can I get a work permit in Costa Rica?

If you have been offered a job by a Costa Rican company, your employer should apply on your behalf. Everything you need to submit for the work permit, you will instead give to your employer.

Permanent residents may take up employment in Costa Rica without any restrictions. Temporary residents will have a harder time and must prove that their position in Costa Rica could not have been filled by a Costa Rican resident or citizen.

As a special note: expats should be aware that applications are not accepted on the last Friday of the month.

For more on how to obtain temporary or permanent residence in Costa Rica, see our section below.

Applying for the Costa Rican work permit: special category residency

If you are interested in moving to Costa Rica and are unable to support yourself through unearned income means (i.e. income that is not the result of a salary or wages), then you will need to apply for a Special Category Residency permit. This is a work visa and a form of temporary residence that allows foreigners to take up employment in the country.

How to apply for special category residency

You will apply for the Special Category Residency in the same way you will any temporary residency. You must first apply for a provisional visa through a Costa Rican consulate. Once you receive this visa, you have 60 days to enter the country and apply for your temporary or permanent residency. You can read more about this in our Residency Permits: Temporary and Permanent section below.

Costa Rican work permit types

When you are granted a Special Category Residency, you are already authorized to work in Costa Rica under the specific occupation for which the residency was approved. This means you can legally work while holding this status. If you later wish to change your status or apply for a more general work authorization, you may do so after fulfilling the required conditions.

Occupations that qualify under this category include:

• athletes
• artists and entertainers
• inter-company transfers
• professional and technical guests
• self-employed individuals
• temporary and seasonal workers
• academic researchers, professors, and teachers
• interns

Costa Rican work permit eligibility

Eligibility to apply for a Costa Rican work permit will depend upon your specific case, but the greatest hurdle all foreigners will have to cross is proving that they are the most qualified candidate for the position.

Costa Rica places great importance on hiring nationals before foreigners. You and your employer will need to provide sufficient evidence as to why you are better suited than a citizen.

Other eligibility requirements include an Apostille seal and/or notary stamps on all of your documents. Everything you submit should also be translated into Spanish. These translations should also have a notarized stamp.

Costa Rica work visa requirements

Because your work permit must be requested in advance by your employer in Costa Rica, it is important that you send all required documents to them before your arrival. Make sure that all documents are translated into Spanish, and they should be notarized or contain an Apostille seal.

Documents needed to apply for the work permit:

• work permit application form
• two passport-sized photographs
• birth certificate
• copies of your passport pages, including the ID page and even blank pages
• employer statement with details of your salary, length of employment, and job description
• registration documents and the legal constitution of the hiring company
• proof that workers insurance has been paid
• proof of sufficient financial means
• police clearance from your country
• proof of registration with a Costa Rican consulate (your provisional visa)

Other documents may be required on a case-by-case basis. For example, if you are married, you will need to include your marriage certificate.

You should also submit a letter with your application stating that you are applying for the work permit and the reason why. In this letter, you need to include your contact information, passport number with issue and expiration date, your nationality and date of birth, your occupation, and the date you arrived in Costa Rica.

Applying for a work permit in Costa Rica

Once your employer has submitted your application and it has been approved, you will enter Costa Rica and later complete the required formalities at the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (Immigration Department). Keep in mind that you must have all of these documents with you before you arrive in the country. You will also need to visit the Ministerio Seguridad Pública (Ministry of Public Security) to register your fingerprints.

Moving to Costa Rica with the digital nomad visa

Costa Rica’s stunning natural beauty, warm climate, and stable internet infrastructure have made it a popular destination for remote workers from around the world. If you're planning to stay longer than the usual 90 days granted by a tourist visa, the country now offers a Digital Nomad Visa designed specifically for remote professionals.

What is the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?

The digital nomad visa exists in Costa Rica since 2022. This visa allows remote employees, business owners, and freelancers to legally live and work in Costa Rica for up to one year, with the possibility of extending their stay for another year. Unlike standard tourist permits, the digital nomad visa provides a more stable and legal framework for longer stays, without the need to constantly cross borders or worry about overstaying.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a valid passport.
• Work remotely for a company based outside Costa Rica, or as a freelancer serving international clients.
• Earn at least 3,000 USD per month.
• Have proof of international health insurance that covers your stay.
• Provide bank statements from the last 12 months, along with a signed affidavit confirming the stability of your income.

Costa Rica work visa cost

The cost of Costa Rica’s work visa, the Special Category Residence visa, is the same as any temporary residence permit: 28,300 CRC (50 USD). Expats should also keep in mind that this is just the application fee.

In addition, the following fees required by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME): around 102,000 CRC (200 USD) for the category change request, 98,200 CRC (190 USD) for the approval of legal stay, 123,000 CRC (240 USD) for the issuance of the migratory document, 600 CRC (1 USD) for postal notifications, and a symbolic 50 CRC (.09 USD) for the application form. Additional costs for third-party services (such as fingerprints, document translations, or authentications) may also apply depending on the case.

Business visa

Those interested in visiting Costa Rica for short-term business activities (such as meetings or events) may do so under a tourist visa, as long as the visit does not exceed 90 days and involves no paid employment in the country. Only if the activity is remunerated or exceeds that period does it require a Special Category work visa.

Family visa

Expats who are able to secure a work permit in Costa Rica may bring their dependents with them. Dependents include

• your spouse;
• minor-aged children;
• disabled children of any age.

For more about family residency visas, see our Residency Permits: Temporary and Permanent section below.

Self-employment visas

When looking into a self-employment visa in Costa Rica, there are three options: the Special Category Residence permit, an investor visa, or a rentista visa. Each of these visas come with their own strict limitations. Expats should take note that obtaining the right to freelance in this country without permanent residency will be a hassle.

Costa Rica self-employment visas: types of special category residence permit

The Special Category Residence permit includes many different subcategories. Whether or not you qualify for self-employed work under this visa is sometimes dependent on how strong of a case you make and the discretion of the immigration officer viewing your application.

One such subcategory that foreigners can look into is Trabajador de Ocupación Específica por Cuenta Propia en Sectores de la Agricultura, Construcción y Servicios: Specific Occupation Worker Self-Employed in Agriculture, Construction and Services. This allows expats to work on farms, conservation

Inversionista visa (Investor visa)

As the name implies, this visa is for immigrants who plan to make a considerable financial investment into Costa Rica’s economy. This can be a conservational investment, such as purchasing land for preservation, home purchases, or opening up your own business. Holders of this visa must invest at least 102,000,000 CRC (200,000 USD), which needs to be already verified and registered at the time of your visa application.

If you choose to open your own business with this visa, you cannot be one of the staff members. You have to hire Costa Rican residents to work for you. You can read more about what it takes to open your own business in our Working section.

Rentista visa (Resident visa)

The rentista visa is for expats who are able to prove 1,275,000 CRC (2,500 USD) per month of guaranteed unearned income.This amount must come from unearned income such as savings, investments, or real estate property.

Self-employment visa requirements

No matter which visa you apply for, here are the general documents you will be asked to submit for each:

• application form
• two passport-sized photographs
• birth certificate
• copies of your passport pages, including the ID page and even blank pages
• proof of sufficient financial means
• police clearance from your country

You will also need to submit a letter stating the visa you are applying for and why. In this letter you need to include your contact information, passport number with issue and expiration date, your nationality and date of birth, your occupation, and your arrival date in Costa Rica.

Other requirements

The process to apply for a self-employment visa varies depending on which one you choose.

If you decide to apply for the inversionista or rentista visas you will need to provide financial proof that you have already invested 102,000,000 CRC (200,000 USD) or that you have a steady unearned income of 1,275,000 CRC (2,500 USD) per month for two years.

If applying for the inversionista visa, you will also need to submit the following:

• detailed business plan for your proposed business • a letter stating how this investment will benefit the Costa Rican economy

Self-employment visa cost

You can expect the following costs when applying for either of these visas:

• application fee: 25,500 CRC (50 USD)
• change of migratory category (if applicable): 102,000 CRC (200 USD)

Other costs may apply depending on your personal situation, such as apostille services, legal or notary fees, and other administrative expenses. However, these two are considered the basic costs related to the visa application itself.

Residency permits: temporary and permanent

Anyone wishing to stay in Costa Rica for more than 90 days will need to look into how to apply for a temporary residence permit or become a permanent resident. If you do not have a Costa Rican relative, you may find it difficult to secure permanent residency right away. Instead, most expats must live in the country on a temporary permit for at least three years before they can apply for permanent status.

There are many different temporary residents permits, including ones for seniors and retirees, investors, and even some that allow foreigners to take up employment for a select period of time.

Keep reading to find out how you can make the land of sloths and volcanoes your new home.

How to obtain a temporary residence permit in Costa Rica

If you are outside Costa Rica, the first step is to contact the nearest Costa Rican consulate to find out if your specific visa category requires a consular application before entering the country.

In most cases, you will need to submit a formal request stating your intention to apply for a temporary residence permit, including the specific category (such as rentista, investor, or family link).

This request must be accompanied by supporting documents and will help initiate your immigration process with the Costa Rican authorities.

Types of temporary residence permits

There are several types of temporary residence permits that expats can apply for in Costa Rica. Some of these permits allow certain forms of employment, such as working for a specific employer or managing your own business, while others do not allow any paid work. Money made from self-employed work will not count towards any of the required incomes.

For more about how to work in Costa Rica, see our sections on Work or Self-Employment visas above, as well as our page on Working in Costa Rica.

Pensionado (Retiree visa)

There is no age requirement for this visa, but you must prove you are receiving your pension benefits, and these benefits must be good “for life.” You must also prove that you have a monthly income of at least 510,000 CRC (1,000 USD). Married retiree couples need to only show that one spouse is receiving this monthly amount.

Rentista (Rentier visa)

This is a temporary residence category known as the rentista visa. It is for expats who have not yet retired but receive an unearned income of at least 1,275,000 CRC (2,500 USD)per month 15,300,000 CRC (30,000 USD). This income can come from investments, savings, rental properties, or means other than work. You can prove this income with a notarized bank statement. Your bank can be international or local.

It is important to note that income from salary or wages cannot be applied to this visa. Married couples and expat families also need to only show proof of a monthly 1,275,000 CRC (2,500 USD).

Inversionista (Investor visa)

To qualify for an investment visa, expats must prove they have invested at least 102,000,000 CRC (200,000 USD) into a Costa Rican business or real estate. This investment must already be registered and verified (it cannot be planned or pending).

Types of investments include, but are not limited to, the following:

• general business
• transportation
• hospitality (hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.)
• tourism (including tours and amusement or adventure parks)
• commercial and non-commercial real estate
• forestry preservation

Temporary resident permit: steps, requirements, and fees

Once you know the type of temporary visa you will need, you must check with the Costa Rican Consulate nearest to you whether you need to initiate the process from abroad or apply directly in Costa Rica.

To apply, you will need to submit the following:

• your passport plus copies of every page, including blank ones
• your birth certificate
• certified police clearance from your country of residence
• proof of sufficient financial means
• three passport-sized photographs

All documents must be translated into Spanish and be notarized or contain an Apostille seal. You will also need to provide a certified letter (also written or translated into Spanish) explaining your reasons for applying for temporary residence under your selected category. This letter must include your contact information; passport number, issue and expiration date; your intended date of arrival in Costa Rica; where you plan to stay upon arrival; and your profession.

Making an application for a temporary resident permit

After confirming the type of residence category and initiating the process, you have 60 days to arrive in Costa Rica and submit your residency application. You will apply for this through the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (Department of Immigration).

Before you apply for this permit, you should make sure you have all the required documents plus their certified Spanish translations. Many of the documents are similar to those submitted during the initial application process, including:

• passport plus copies of each page (including the blank ones)
• Formulario de Filiación (official application form)
• letter of application
• birth certificate
• proof of sufficient financial means
• three passport-sized photographs
• police clearance from your country of residence
• any other documents related to the visa for which you are applying, such as a marriage certificate, employment contract, proof of investment, etc.

In addition to these documents, you will also need to register your fingerprints with the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (Ministry of Public Security).

How long does a temporary resident permit last?

A temporary resident permit is issued for a period of two years. It is renewable and there is no limitation on the number of renewals. The renewal fee is 51,000 CRC (100 USD).

How to get permanent residency in Costa Rica

You can automatically obtain permanent residency in Costa Rica if you are an immediate blood-related family member of a Costa Rican citizen. Such familial relations include

• parents; • minor-aged children or siblings; • any-aged child or sibling with a disability.

For expats who have married a Costa Rican citizen, see our section on Spouse/Fiancée visas below. If you do not have this type of relation, then the only way to obtain this residence is by living in the country as a temporary resident for a minimum of three years.

Costa Rica permanent residency visa requirements

Once you have satisfied the requirement of living in Costa Rica on a temporary permit for a minimum of three years, the rest of the permanent residency application process is straight forward. Just like with your temporary visa, you will apply for permanent residency through the Department of Immigration.

What are the benefits to permanent residency in Costa Rica?

In addition to no longer having to renew your temporary visa, the greatest benefit of permanent Costa Rican residency is the ability to work in the country. Although some temporary visa statuses do allow foreigners to accept employment in the country, the process to obtain this approval is difficult. Permanent resident visa holders are allowed to take up any form of employment.

After four years living in Costa Rica on a permanent residency visa (thus, living in the country for a minimum of seven years), expats can then apply for citizenship.

Family visas: marriage or relation visa

A marriage or relation visa (also known as a visa por vínculo) can be applied to any of the following relations of a Costa Rican citizen:

• spouse • parent • minor-aged children • any-aged child

Extended family members such as siblings, cousins, in-laws, and grandparents are not included.

What is the process for a Costa Rican spouse visa?

To apply for the visa por vínculo as a spouse, you will need to submit a notarized marriage certificate in addition to the items required when applying for general temporary residency. If you have been married for less than two years, you may be asked for additional documentation such as dated photos, bank statements, and sworn statements certifying your marriage is not a sham. You and your spouse will also be subject to separate in-person interviews with Immigration.

Once granted, this visa allows a spouse to live and work in Costa Rica for one year. After that, you will be able to apply for permanent residency.