Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements and Benefits

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements and Benefits

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The Costa Rica digital nomad visa lets remote workers live and work legally in the country for up to two years — without paying local income tax on foreign earnings. Officially called the Estancia para Trabajadores o Prestadores de Servicio Remoto, this immigration category was created under Law 10008 specifically for employees, freelancers, and business owners who earn their income from clients or employers outside Costa Rica. At AG Legal, our immigration team handles the full process: income documentation, certified translations, insurance review, and filings through the DGME platform — so you arrive with everything in order.

What is the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa is a non-resident immigration category created by Law 10008 (Ley para Atraer Trabajadores y Prestadores Remotos de Servicios Internacionales) to give remote workers a legal framework for living in the country beyond the standard 90-day tourist stay. It is not a tourist extension, a work permit, or a path to permanent residency — it is a separate category with its own rules, benefits, and limitations.

The visa is open to any nationality. You can be a salaried employee working for a foreign company, a freelancer serving international clients, or a business owner whose company is registered outside Costa Rica. The only requirement is that all of your income must originate from sources outside the country — you cannot work for Costa Rican employers or serve local clients under this category.

Eligibility and income requirements

To qualify for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa, you need to meet three core requirements:

• Stable monthly income from abroad: At least USD 3,000 per month if you apply alone, or USD 4,000 per month if you include dependents (spouse, children under 25, children with disabilities, or accompanying seniors). The DGME typically verifies this through 12 months of bank statements accompanied by a sworn affidavit confirming the statements were obtained from your financial institution.
• Health insurance: A policy with minimum USD 50,000 in coverage for the full duration of the stay. The coverage must extend to all dependents included in the application. Travel insurance is not accepted — it must be a long-term health or medical policy from an international or Costa Rican insurer.
• Clean criminal record: The Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) conducts criminal and security checks through national and international databases, and biometric verification applies upon arrival.

Key benefits of the Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Beyond legal residency, Law 10008 grants digital nomad visa holders a set of concrete benefits that make the category more attractive than simply staying on a tourist visa:

• No Costa Rican income tax on foreign earnings: Digital nomad visa holders are explicitly exempt from local income tax on income sourced from outside the country during their stay. Note that this exemption does not affect your tax obligations in your home country — U.S. citizens, for example, still owe federal income tax on worldwide income and must comply with FEIE, FBAR, and FATCA reporting requirements. Coordinate with your home-country tax advisor.
• Duty-free import of work equipment: You may import one set of essential work equipment — laptop, phone, tablet, camera, audio and recording devices — without paying import duties, through the EXONET system. This benefit is provided under Articles 16 and 17 of Law 10008.
• Local banking: The visa explicitly authorizes holders to open bank accounts at Costa Rican financial institutions, subject to standard anti-money-laundering requirements under Law 8204.
• Foreign driver’s license: Your home-country driver’s license is recognized as valid for driving in Costa Rica during the entire duration of your stay.

Documents you need to prepare

Every applicant must submit five core documents. Depending on your nationality and whether you include dependents, additional items may be required:

1. Signed application form — available through the Trámite Ya platform (online) or at DGME offices (in person).
2. Proof of payment — receipt confirming the USD 100 government deposit to Banco de Costa Rica (account 001-0242480-0), paid in the equivalent amount of Costa Rican colones at the reference exchange rate.
3. Passport copy — photo and biographical page, plus the Costa Rican entry stamp page if you are already in the country.
4. Proof of income — 12 months of bank statements with a sworn affidavit, plus an employment letter or client contracts confirming your remote work arrangement. If income is variable (freelancers, business owners), a CPA certification of average monthly income may be required.
5. Health insurance certificate — showing minimum USD 50,000 coverage for the full stay, for you and all included dependents.

If you include dependents: marriage certificate or civil union declaration (issued within the last six months) for a spouse; birth certificates for children; medical opinion for children with disabilities; affidavit demonstrating family link for accompanying seniors. All documents not in Spanish must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation from a translator registered with the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a notary public.

Citizens of countries requiring a consular visa under Executive Decree 36626-G must obtain that visa before applying for the digital nomad category.

How to apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa (step by step)

1. Confirm your eligibility: Verify that your income meets the USD 3,000/4,000 threshold and that your work arrangement qualifies (remote employment, freelancing, or business ownership with all income from outside Costa Rica).
2. Pay the government fee: Deposit USD 100 (in colones at the reference rate) to Banco de Costa Rica account 001-0242480-0. Budget separately for the USD 90 immigration document fee. Keep both receipts.
3. Gather and translate your documents: Collect 12 months of bank statements, employment or contract letters, health insurance certificates, and passport copies. Have all non-Spanish documents translated by a registered translator.
4. Submit your application: Create an account on the Trámite Ya platform and upload your documents, or submit them in person at a DGME office (appointment required through the DGME portal, selecting the Estancia Nómadas Digitales option).
5. Wait for the decision: The DGME issues a written resolution within approximately 15 business days. If your application is incomplete, you will receive a written notice within five days and have eight working days to provide the missing information.
6. Enter Costa Rica and register: Once approved, you have 90 days to enter Costa Rica and complete the in-person biometric registration at a DGME office (fingerprints and photograph) to receive your DIMEX card — the physical document that serves as your official digital nomad visa identification.
7. Import work equipment (optional): If you want to bring equipment duty-free, file the EXONET request after your visa is approved.

Fees and processing timeline

• Government application deposit: USD 100, paid per applicant (including each dependent) to Banco de Costa Rica.
• Immigration document fee: USD 90, paid to the DGME upon accreditation.
• Translations and notarizations: Cost varies by page count and jurisdiction; expect higher costs if documents require apostille from your home country.
• Health insurance: Price varies by age, coverage level, and length of stay. International providers (SafetyWing, Cigna Global, BUPA) and Costa Rican providers (INS) are commonly used.
• Processing time: Approximately 15 business days for complete applications. Incomplete submissions are flagged within five days.

Renewal for the second year

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa can be renewed once for an additional 12 months — giving you a maximum of two years under this category. To be eligible for renewal, you must have maintained the required minimum presence in Costa Rica during the first year, as established in the regulation to Law 10008. Renewal requires submitting a new application through Trámite Ya with updated proof of income (12 months of bank statements), valid health insurance, and the renewal fee (USD 90 for the legal stay document and Special Social Immigration Fund).

After two years: what are your options?

The digital nomad visa does not lead to permanent residency. After the maximum two-year period, you would need to apply under a different immigration category if you want to continue living in Costa Rica. The most common paths are:

• Rentista visa: Requires a guaranteed monthly income of at least USD 2,500 for two years, and leads to permanent residency after three years.
• Pensionado visa: For retirees with a monthly pension of at least USD 1,000.
• Investor residency: Requires a minimum investment of USD 200,000 in Costa Rica (Art. 87, Ley 8764).

Each of these categories has its own requirements, benefits, and timeline. We can help you evaluate which path makes sense based on your long-term plans. For a broader overview, see our guide to Costa Rica immigration.

Consular recognition

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in Costa Rica with the digital nomad visa?

Up to 12 months on the initial visa, renewable once for another 12 months — for a maximum of two years total. After that, you would need to apply under a different immigration category (Rentista, Pensionado, or Investor) to continue living in the country.

What income do I need to qualify for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?

At least USD 3,000 per month if applying alone, or USD 4,000 per month if you include dependents. The DGME verifies this through 12 months of bank statements accompanied by a sworn affidavit.

Do I pay Costa Rican income tax as a digital nomad?

No. Digital nomad visa holders are explicitly exempt from Costa Rican income tax on income earned from sources outside the country. However, this does not eliminate your tax obligations in your home country — U.S. citizens, for example, still owe federal tax on worldwide income.

Can I bring my work equipment into Costa Rica duty-free?

Yes. Law 10008 allows you to import one set of essential work equipment — laptop, phone, tablet, camera, audio and recording devices — without paying import duties, through the EXONET system.

What type of health insurance do I need?

You need a health or medical insurance policy with minimum USD 50,000 in coverage, valid for the full duration of your stay. Travel insurance is not accepted. The policy must also cover all dependents included in the application.

Can I apply from abroad or do I need to be in Costa Rica?

You can submit your application entirely online through the Trámite Ya platform from anywhere in the world. Once approved, you have 90 days to enter Costa Rica and complete the biometric registration to receive your DIMEX card.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. You can include your spouse or common-law partner, children under 25, children with disabilities, and accompanying seniors. The income threshold increases to USD 4,000 per month when including dependents, and each family member must have their own qualifying health insurance.

Does the digital nomad visa lead to permanent residency?

No. The digital nomad visa is a temporary category with a maximum duration of two years. To obtain permanent residency, you would need to apply under a separate category such as Rentista, Pensionado, or Investor.

Related Articles

• Costa Rica Immigration Guide: Residency Options for Foreigners
• Costa Rica Corporate Law: How to Set Up a Business
• Costa Rica Real Estate Guide for Foreign Buyers

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Immigration requirements, fees, and benefits can change by regulation or policy; confirm current requirements with your attorney before making decisions based on this content.