Living or working in Costa Rica: long-stay, digital nomad and working holiday visas

For stays over 90 days, you need a visa or residence permit before you arrive. The digital nomad visa is the easiest route if you work remotely for a foreign employer: it allows you to live in Costa Rica for up to a year, renewable, without a local work permit. For a regular job, your employer must sponsor a work permit, which is harder to get. Start the paperwork 3–6 months ahead, and confirm current rules with the Costa Rican consulate in your country.

The table below compares the main long-stay options. Fees and processing times change; treat them as estimates and verify with the consulate.

Costa Rica's digital nomad visa is designed for remote workers earning from outside the country. You must prove you work for a foreign employer or have your own business abroad, and show a minimum monthly income (around US$3,000, check). The visa is valid for up to one year and can be renewed for another, but you cannot work for a Costa Rican company on it.

You apply through the Costa Rican immigration authority (DGME) or a consulate. Processing can take several weeks to months, so apply well before your planned move. You'll need a passport valid for at least six months, proof of income, and a clean criminal record from your home country.

If you want to work for a Costa Rican employer, they must sponsor your work permit. This is not something you can arrange as a tourist; the employer files the application with immigration. The process is bureaucratic and can take months, and the permit is tied to that specific job.

Other long-stay options include temporary residence for retirees (with a pension income), investors, or students. Each has its own income or investment thresholds and application process. For all of these, you'll need a criminal record check from your home country and often a local lawyer to handle the paperwork.

Budget for application fees, which vary by visa type, plus possible legal fees if you use an immigration lawyer (common for work permits and residence). Digital nomad visa fees are typically a few hundred US dollars, but check the current schedule.

Plan to start the process 3–6 months before you intend to move. Processing times are not guaranteed, and you may need to travel to a consulate or provide additional documents. Once in Costa Rica, you'll need to register with immigration and may need to leave the country to finalise your status.

This page was last checked in September 2026. Visa rules change frequently; always confirm with official sources before making plans.