Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

It depends on your nationality. Many passport holders, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Australia, enter without a visa for short stays, while some nationalities must obtain a visa before they travel. Our wizard checks your passport and, when a visa is required, prepares the right application for you.

What are Costa Rica's entry requirements?

Every visitor needs a passport valid for the duration of the stay, proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds for the trip. Details of where you will stay are also commonly requested. These conditions are checked at the border whether or not a visa is needed, so we help you arrive with each item ready.

What are the passport requirements for Costa Rica?

Your passport should be valid for the whole of your intended stay, and a comfortable margin beyond your return date is strongly advised. Passports close to expiry are a frequent reason for being refused entry, so renew early if yours is within a few months of expiring. Travel on the same passport used for the application.

How long can I stay in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica admits visitors for stays of up to 90 days, and a 2025 immigration resolution raised the permitted stay for many nationalities to 180 days. Travellers who obtain a consular visa beforehand are usually admitted for an initial 30 days, extendable up to 90. The officer at the border sets the exact length stamped in your passport.

How much does the Costa Rica visa cost?

For nationalities that must obtain a visa, the consular tourist visa is issued for a single trip at a government fee of around 30 US dollars, and you pay one all-inclusive price that includes it alongside our service. The government portion is itemised on your receipt. The government fee goes to the Costa Rican authority and our fee covers preparing and reviewing your application.

How long does the Costa Rica e-Visa take?

For nationalities that need a visa before travel, the Costa Rican immigration authority typically decides within 1 to 7 business days of submission. Apply well ahead of your trip. Our Rush option reviews within 24 hours and submits with priority, and Super Rush ships same-day with status tracking.

How do I apply for the Costa Rica e-Visa?

Start by entering your nationality and trip details so we can confirm whether a visa is required. When it is, you complete a guided application in your own language, and we check it for completeness before submitting it to the authority ahead of your travel. You receive a tracking code and your confirmation by email.

What do I need to show on arrival in Costa Rica?

Immigration officers commonly ask to see a return or onward ticket, proof that you can support yourself during the stay and your accommodation details. Have these ready on your phone with a printed backup. Travel on the passport used for your application, and be prepared to describe your plans briefly to the officer at the border.

Can I extend my stay in Costa Rica?

Travellers admitted on a consular visa for an initial 30 days can apply to extend up to 90 days at the immigration office in San Jose; the extension is paid directly to the Costa Rican authority and is separate from VisitPass. Nationalities admitted visa-free for the longer 180-day period normally do not need an extension.

What happens if my visa is refused?

Most refusals come from an incomplete itinerary or weak proof of funds, which is exactly what we check before submission. If a visa is refused for reasons outside your control, our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the migration authority and is non-refundable. We explain the most likely next step in your confirmation email.

Is the e-Visa valid at all entry points?

Yes. Where a visa is required, it is valid for entry at Costa Rica's international airports, including San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), and at the authorised land border crossings with Panama and Nicaragua. The same entry conditions, including onward travel and proof of funds, apply at every point of entry.

Is VisitPass an official government website?

No. VisitPass is an independent service that confirms the right route for your nationality and, when a visa is required, prepares and reviews your application before submitting it to the Costa Rican authority. We are not affiliated with the government; the government fee is paid to the authority and itemised on your receipt, separate from our service fee.

How can I avoid problems with my Costa Rica application?

The most common avoidable error is a mismatch between what you type and your passport, so check every name and number against the document itself before submitting. Make sure your passport has comfortable validity, your onward or return flight is booked, and your accommodation and funds details are consistent. We review each application for completeness and consistency before it reaches the authority, so small mistakes are caught early rather than at the border.

How much money and what tickets do I need to show for Costa Rica?

Costa Rica expects every visitor to show proof of sufficient funds for the trip and a confirmed onward or return ticket out of the country, regardless of nationality. A one-way ticket alone is a frequent reason for problems at check-in, and a credit card, recent bank statement or booking confirmation usually satisfies the funds check. Keep these on your phone with a printed backup so the border check is quick and straightforward.

Many travellers enter Costa Rica visa-free, so how does VisitPass help me?

Costa Rica uses a nationality group system, and travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Australia are admitted for tourism without a visa, now for up to 180 days. Whether or not a visa is required, every visitor must still meet Costa Rica's entry conditions, so our entry-readiness service confirms the right route for your passport and helps you arrive with your onward ticket, funds and accommodation details fully in order.

When should I apply for the Costa Rica e-Visa?

For nationalities that need a visa before travel, submit as soon as your trip is booked rather than waiting until the last week. The Costa Rican immigration authority typically decides within 1 to 7 business days, and a request still in review cannot be sped up once departure is close, while a consular appointment may also be needed. Busy seasons can add time. Rush and Super Rush tiers exist for short-notice travel.

Costa Rica e-Visa · VisitPass

Overview

The Costa Rica e-Visa is the entry authorisation for nationals who must arrange a visa before they travel for tourism or a short visit. Costa Rica admits visitors for stays of up to 90 days, and a 2025 immigration resolution raised the permitted stay for many nationalities to 180 days, so most short trips fit comfortably within a single authorised period. The right route depends on your nationality: many passport holders, including those from the European Union, the United States, Canada and Australia, enter without a visa, while others must obtain one ahead of travel.

When a visa is required, your application is prepared and reviewed in your own language so it reaches the authority complete and consistent. The authorisation covers tourism and short visits only; it does not permit paid work, study toward a degree or long-term residence, which require the corresponding visa applied for at a Costa Rican consulate. Whether or not a visa is needed, every traveller still has to satisfy Costa Rica's entry conditions at the border, and an entry-readiness check helps you arrive with the right documents in hand.

You travel on the passport used for the application, and each traveller, including children, is handled as a separate case. The closing step is always one clear, all-inclusive price covering the government fee and the service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt.

At a glance

The key facts for a Costa Rica e-Visa application.

Visa type: e-Visa
What you need: Your passport

Who can apply

The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.

Costa Rica uses a nationality-based entry system: some travellers enter visa-free, while others must arrange an e-Visa before they fly. The correct route is confirmed for your passport so you arrive with the right documents either way. EU, US, Canadian, Australian and most Latin American travellers are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days, while restricted-nationality travellers obtain the e-Visa before departure. Each traveller, including children, needs their own application, and the passport is checked against the current list before any charge.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.

Passport with at least six months validity
Recent digital passport photograph
Confirmed return or onward flight booking
Costa Rican accommodation address or host invitation
Email address for e-Visa delivery
Payment method (one all-inclusive price)

Requirements in detail

Costa Rica's entry rules are document-light but checked closely on arrival, so prepare each item carefully. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay; many travellers are turned away when a passport is close to expiry, so allow a comfortable margin beyond your return date. You will be asked to show proof of onward or return travel, normally a booked flight leaving the country, because a one-way ticket alone is a frequent reason for problems at check-in and at immigration.

You also need evidence of sufficient funds for your trip and details of where you will stay, such as a hotel booking or a host address. For nationalities that must obtain a visa before travel, the application asks for your passport data, trip dates and these supporting documents, and the consular tourist visa is issued for a single trip. The single most common avoidable error is a mismatch between the details you enter and your passport: one mistyped letter in your name or one wrong digit in the passport number can stop you at the airport.

Check every field against the passport itself before submitting. The application is reviewed for completeness and consistency before it goes to the authority, so that small mistakes are caught early rather than at the border.

Government processing time

What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.

Government processing: Costa Rica Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria decides in 1 to 7 business days for nationalities that need a visa before travel. When to apply: submit as soon as your trip is booked rather than waiting until the last week, because a request still in review cannot be sped up once your departure date is close and a consular appointment may be needed. VisitPass review: Standard 1 to 3 business days, Rush 1 business day, Super Rush under 6 hours. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued by email once the decision is made.

On arrival

Arriving in Costa Rica is mainly about being ready for the border check rather than carrying a printout. Immigration officers commonly ask to see a return or onward ticket, proof that you can support yourself during the stay, and where you will be staying, so keep these to hand as you land. Travel on the same passport used for your application, since that is what is checked against your records.

The officer makes the final decision on admission and sets the length of stay stamped in your passport, which may be shorter than the maximum, so be ready to explain your plans briefly and clearly. If you obtained a visa before travelling, have it available with your passport. Saving your booking confirmations and accommodation details on your phone, with a printed copy as a backup, makes the arrival quick and avoids needless questions.

Planning your trip

Costa Rica packs volcanoes, cloud forest and two coastlines into a compact, wildlife-rich country. Arenal anchors the north with its cone-shaped volcano, hot springs and hanging bridges, while Monteverde's misty cloud forest is laced with canopy walkways and zip lines. On the Pacific side, Manuel Antonio pairs rainforest trails with sheltered beaches and easy monkey and sloth sightings, and the dry north-west of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula hold the warmest, sunniest sand and the country's surf and yoga retreats. The Caribbean coast around Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo brings turtle nesting, jungle canals reached only by boat and a slower, Afro-Caribbean rhythm. The dry season from December to April is the most reliable window for the Pacific and the highlands, with sunny mornings and little rain; the green months from May onward are quieter, lusher and better for waterfalls and lower prices. Pack light layers and good rain gear whatever the season, sturdy shoes for muddy trails, reef-safe sunscreen and strong insect repellent for the humid lowlands, and a dry bag for boat and rainforest days.

One all-inclusive price

One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.

From

$155.00

Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.

Apply now See full pricing breakdown →

The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.

How to apply

Three steps from start to approval.

Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.

Read the full Costa Rica e-Visa guide

Questions about this destination

Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?
It depends on your nationality. Many passport holders, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Australia, enter without a visa for short stays, while some nationalities must obtain a visa before they travel. Our wizard checks your passport and, when a visa is required, prepares the right application for you.
What are Costa Rica's entry requirements?
Every visitor needs a passport valid for the duration of the stay, proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds for the trip. Details of where you will stay are also commonly requested. These conditions are checked at the border whether or not a visa is needed, so we help you arrive with each item ready.
What are the passport requirements for Costa Rica?
Your passport should be valid for the whole of your intended stay, and a comfortable margin beyond your return date is strongly advised. Passports close to expiry are a frequent reason for being refused entry, so renew early if yours is within a few months of expiring. Travel on the same passport used for the application.
How long can I stay in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica admits visitors for stays of up to 90 days, and a 2025 immigration resolution raised the permitted stay for many nationalities to 180 days. Travellers who obtain a consular visa beforehand are usually admitted for an initial 30 days, extendable up to 90. The officer at the border sets the exact length stamped in your passport.
How much does the Costa Rica visa cost?
For nationalities that must obtain a visa, the consular tourist visa is issued for a single trip at a government fee of around 30 US dollars, and you pay one all-inclusive price that includes it alongside our service. The government portion is itemised on your receipt. The government fee goes to the Costa Rican authority and our fee covers preparing and reviewing your application.
How long does the Costa Rica e-Visa take?
For nationalities that need a visa before travel, the Costa Rican immigration authority typically decides within 1 to 7 business days of submission. Apply well ahead of your trip. Our Rush option reviews within 24 hours and submits with priority, and Super Rush ships same-day with status tracking.
How do I apply for the Costa Rica e-Visa?
Start by entering your nationality and trip details so we can confirm whether a visa is required. When it is, you complete a guided application in your own language, and we check it for completeness before submitting it to the authority ahead of your travel. You receive a tracking code and your confirmation by email.
What do I need to show on arrival in Costa Rica?
Immigration officers commonly ask to see a return or onward ticket, proof that you can support yourself during the stay and your accommodation details. Have these ready on your phone with a printed backup. Travel on the passport used for your application, and be prepared to describe your plans briefly to the officer at the border.
Can I extend my stay in Costa Rica?
Travellers admitted on a consular visa for an initial 30 days can apply to extend up to 90 days at the immigration office in San Jose; the extension is paid directly to the Costa Rican authority and is separate from VisitPass. Nationalities admitted visa-free for the longer 180-day period normally do not need an extension.
What happens if my visa is refused?
Most refusals come from an incomplete itinerary or weak proof of funds, which is exactly what we check before submission. If a visa is refused for reasons outside your control, our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the migration authority and is non-refundable. We explain the most likely next step in your confirmation email.
Is the e-Visa valid at all entry points?
Yes. Where a visa is required, it is valid for entry at Costa Rica's international airports, including San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), and at the authorised land border crossings with Panama and Nicaragua. The same entry conditions, including onward travel and proof of funds, apply at every point of entry.
Is VisitPass an official government website?
No. VisitPass is an independent service that confirms the right route for your nationality and, when a visa is required, prepares and reviews your application before submitting it to the Costa Rican authority. We are not affiliated with the government; the government fee is paid to the authority and itemised on your receipt, separate from our service fee.
How can I avoid problems with my Costa Rica application?
The most common avoidable error is a mismatch between what you type and your passport, so check every name and number against the document itself before submitting. Make sure your passport has comfortable validity, your onward or return flight is booked, and your accommodation and funds details are consistent. We review each application for completeness and consistency before it reaches the authority, so small mistakes are caught early rather than at the border.
How much money and what tickets do I need to show for Costa Rica?
Costa Rica expects every visitor to show proof of sufficient funds for the trip and a confirmed onward or return ticket out of the country, regardless of nationality. A one-way ticket alone is a frequent reason for problems at check-in, and a credit card, recent bank statement or booking confirmation usually satisfies the funds check. Keep these on your phone with a printed backup so the border check is quick and straightforward.
Many travellers enter Costa Rica visa-free, so how does VisitPass help me?
Costa Rica uses a nationality group system, and travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Australia are admitted for tourism without a visa, now for up to 180 days. Whether or not a visa is required, every visitor must still meet Costa Rica's entry conditions, so our entry-readiness service confirms the right route for your passport and helps you arrive with your onward ticket, funds and accommodation details fully in order.
When should I apply for the Costa Rica e-Visa?
For nationalities that need a visa before travel, submit as soon as your trip is booked rather than waiting until the last week. The Costa Rican immigration authority typically decides within 1 to 7 business days, and a request still in review cannot be sped up once departure is close, while a consular appointment may also be needed. Busy seasons can add time. Rush and Super Rush tiers exist for short-notice travel.

Specialist review on every file

We look at your file for the small errors that get applications refused, before any government does. Real reviewers, not AI form-fillers, not outsourced clerical work.

We don't quote specialist headcounts. Our commitment is simple: a real person reviews every file.

Costa Rica help desk

Have questions about your e-Visa? Email the Costa Rica desk and we reply within 24 hours.

costarica@visitpass-online.com

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VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.

Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: www.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Inicio.aspx

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