Digital Nomad Visa in Costa Rica (Updated 2022)

Costa Rica is one of the most desired locations for tourists, expats, and remote workers. And honestly, why should it not be? The small republic in Central America is a dream. Just think about the warm weather, white beaches, and crystal clear waters.

And now, the government is hopping on the trend of offering digital nomads and remote workers the digital nomad visa. These are indeed exciting times for digital nomads! So how to get hold of a Digital Nomad Visa in Costa Rica?

Digital Nomad Costa Rica — Costa Rica is known for its amazing jungles, beaches, and awesome surf!

Digital nomad visa

Visa processes are already quite tricky to understand. With the addition of the digital nomad visa, there is even more to get your head around. But that is also why we are here – to guide you!

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

First, let us get a better understanding of what a digital nomad visa is. Essentially it is an authorization, which allows people visiting a country for a shorter period of time to work. They are separate from tourist visas, as tourist visas do not let visitors conduct any form of business whilst they are traveling. And as digital nomads, being allowed to work is quite essential!

What type of work can I do?

However, you should keep in mind that a digital nomad visa will not allow you to engage in the local labor market. This is what makes the digital nomad visa similar to the tourist visa; you are not allowed to work for any local businesses. The digital nomad visa simply lets you conduct your online businesses, but your main income should not come from the country you are applying for a visa.

Digital Nomad Visa for Costa Rica

“Tell us about the visa for Costa Rica already!” Truth is, we do not know much about the upcoming visa yet. We can however share with you, what we know about it so far.

Like with many other digital nomad visas, the Digital Nomad Visa for Costa Rica is still in the making. What is certain, is that it is coming soon!

What we know so far

The digital nomad visa for Costa Rica will let you stay for up to 12 months. It is not yet known if the visa can be extended further once obtained.
When you have obtained the visa, however, you will get some additional benefits. It is expected that the visa holder will be able to bring family members with them, as dependents. They will also enjoy tax benefits.
You should however keep in mind that you need to have a minimum yearly salary to be eligible for the visa. The minimum usually stands at around $35,000.

How do I apply?

The application for the visa has not opened yet, meaning that, at this point, you can not apply for it. But it does not hurt to have your documents ready!

Visa processes are usually quite standard.

You need to bring your passport photo;
government-issued ID;
proof of accommodation, etc.
You will also need to have adequate health and travel insurance in place before you apply.
In some cases, proof of a clean criminal record is also required.

Once you have gathered all your documents and signed the forms, you can expect to receive your visa in about 14 to 30 days. This gives you some time to plan your trip to sunny Costa Rica. And of course, we are here to help you with that as well!

Planning your trip

Costa Rica is thought to be one of the happiest countries in the world. It definitely helps that the cost of living is fairly cheap compared to a lot of other countries. See our Cost of Living comparison to explore the details. This means that, with a bit of budgeting, you can find yourself staying there for a longer period without breaking the bank.

Internet

You should keep in mind that internet access in Costa Rica is not the best, so you might consider investing in some gadgets which will ensure a more stable access.

Our recommendation: you might want to get a hold of a portable WiFi router from Skyroam Solis, one of our partners. As the name suggests, this is a small device you can take around with you, which essentially creates a WiFi network wherever you are.

You would need to get a sufficient network plan, however, to be able to maintain a stable connection. Especially if you’re doing work that requires a lot of data capacity. See our article on all tips to get internet access as a digital nomad.

Skyroam Solis Wifi router — A portable WiFi router from Skyroam, which essentially creates a WiFi network wherever you are.

Accommodation

In terms of accommodation, you will not be left with few options. You should check out sites like Airbnb, and Hostelworld, or even source out some good Facebook groups for expats and remote workers.

You can also check out some travel companies we use and love, like G Adventures. Companies like G Adventures have all kinds of options in all kinds of price ranges.

Everything is very well taken care of with locals working for the company. It truly feels like you get to know the culture, people, and places you visit. To learn more about how to get familiar with new cultures, have a look at our article on how to make friends as a digital nomad.

Find a community

Usually, the best way to find good accommodation is through people who have done it before you! In Costa Rica, you will also be spoilt with options when it comes to places to visit, so we recommend you travel around to find the perfect spots.

If you need a good place to start, we have heard that Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Samara are beautiful!