Costa Rica - Immigration

Immigration Procedure:

Depending on your nationality, the purpose of your trip, your place of residence, and the length of your stay, you might not need a tourist visa to visit Costa Rica.

Depending on where the foreign citizen is located, the passport's minimum validity will be established.

The majority of nationals can enter Costa Rica without a visa (i.e. "friends" of Costa Rica) including the United States, Canada, and most European nations.

In September 2023 the Costa Rican government announced an extension of the maximum stay period for foreign tourists visiting under a tourist visa waiver, from 90 days to 180 days.

The precise length of your stay will depend on the immigration officer's discretion when you arrive.

See the Visas by Nationality of the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington DC for the current details.

It is advisable to make a photocopy or take a picture of your passport with an entry stamp to carry at all times during your stay.

Useful link:

Costa Rican General Directorate of Migration and Immigration

Other Visa Information:

It is possible to get a visa extension up to a 180 day-stay in total - by visiting a Costa Rican consulate. Check with the consulate for requirements and procedures.

Visitors who have stayed more than 180 days in the country cannot extend their stay as tourists. For stays longer than 180 days a resident permit must be established.

Visitors who have overstayed their visas face stiff penalties from the immigration authorities. Under local legislation, overstay penalties of $100 per month and travel restrictions may be imposed.

For more details on tourism visa extension and requirements, see the webpage of the Costa Rican General Directorate of Migration and Immigration.

Last updated:  October 2023