Visa to Costa Rica: The Ultimate 2026 Legal Guide
Location: Barrio Escalante, San José
Last Updated: February 19, 2026
The Legal Gateway to Costa Rica
Arriving at Juan Santamaría Airport should be the start of your “Pura Vida” experience, not a legal nightmare. Whether you are wondering “do US citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?” or navigating complex restricted entries, the rules in 2026 are stricter and more heavily enforced than ever.
At AG Legal, registered with the U.S. and U.K. Embassies, we cut through the red tape. Below is the most comprehensive, legally audited Costa Rica visitor visa database available on the web.
Immigration Fast Facts 2026
No Visa required. Stay up to 180 Days legally.
Special 1-Year Permits available for remote workers.
Mandatory if arriving from risk countries.
Strictly $100 USD per month of your intended stay.
Official 2026 Master Country Database
Every sovereign nation is classified into four groups by the Directorate General of Migration. Type your country below to see your specific requirements instantly.
| Country | Group | Entry Rule (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Argentina | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Australia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Austria | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Bahamas | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Barbados | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Belgium | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Brazil | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Bulgaria | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Canada | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Chile | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Croatia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Cyprus | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Czech Republic | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Denmark | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Estonia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Finland | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| France | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Germany | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Greece | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Hungary | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Iceland | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Ireland | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Israel | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Italy | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Japan | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Latvia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Liechtenstein | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Lithuania | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Luxembourg | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Malta | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Mexico | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Monaco | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Montenegro | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Netherlands | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| New Zealand | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Norway | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Panama | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Paraguay | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Peru | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Poland | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Portugal | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Puerto Rico | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Qatar | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Romania | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| San Marino | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Serbia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Singapore | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Slovakia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Slovenia | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| South Africa | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| South Korea | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Spain | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Sweden | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Switzerland | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| United Arab Emirates | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| United Kingdom | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| United States of America | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Uruguay | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Vatican City | First Group | No visa. Max stay 180 days. |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Belize | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Bolivia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Dominica | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| El Salvador | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Fiji | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Grenada | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Guatemala | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Guyana | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Honduras | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Kazakhstan | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Kiribati | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Malaysia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Mauritius | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Micronesia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Nauru | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Palau | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Philippines | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Russia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Samoa | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Seychelles | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Solomon Islands | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| St. Lucia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Suriname | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Tonga | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Tuvalu | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Vanuatu | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days. |
| Albania | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Algeria | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Armenia | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Azerbaijan | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Belarus | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Colombia | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Egypt | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| India | Third Group | Consular visa required. Guide Here |
| Jordan | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Lebanon | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Morocco | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Nicaragua | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Pakistan | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Saudi Arabia | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Thailand | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Turkey | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Vietnam | Third Group | Consular visa required. |
| Afghanistan | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| China (People’s Republic) | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Consult AG Legal for filings. |
| Cuba | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| Haiti | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| Iran | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| Iraq | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| Myanmar | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| North Korea | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| Palestine | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
| Syria | Fourth Group | Restricted visa. Approval required. |
Mandatory Global Requirements
Immigration officers possess broad discretion. To guarantee entry, present the following without hesitation:
1. The “Pristine Passport”
Your passport must be original and in perfect physical condition. Frayed edges, watermarks, or detached covers will result in immediate deportation on the next flight.
2. Confirmed Exit Ticket
You cannot fly into Costa Rica on a one-way ticket unless you have residency. You must show a booked flight or bus ticket exiting the country before your visa expires.
3. Proof of Solvency
Immigration requires proof of $100 USD per month. Have your recent bank statements or a valid international credit card ready to present if asked.
Legal Warning: Overstaying Your Visa
Costa Rica has cracked down heavily on visa overstays in recent years. If you exceed your authorized stay, you face severe penalties:
- Fines: $100 USD for every month overstayed, payable upon exit.
- Entry Bans: Refusal to pay the fine can result in a legal ban preventing you from re-entering Costa Rica for up to three times the length of your overstay.
The AG Legal Solution: Don’t resort to exhausting “border runs”. Speak to us about converting your tourist status into a formal Residency or Work Permit in Costa Rica.
Restricted Nationalities: China, India, and Beyond
For citizens in Group 3 (Consular) and Group 4 (Restricted), arriving at the airport without prior clearance is impossible. However, there are powerful legal exemptions.
The B1/B2 Exemption Rule
If you hold a valid, multiple-entry visa for the United States (B1/B2, D, F, J, C1/D) or Canada, you may be entirely exempt from needing a Costa Rican visa, regardless of your nationality. Your US/Canadian visa must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date in Costa Rica.
If you do not hold these exemptions, AG Legal’s attorneys will file your Restricted Visa petition directly with the Directorate General of Migration in San José. This requires authenticated police records and birth certificates.
Trusted by Global Citizens
“As an Indian citizen, the consular process seemed daunting. AG Legal handled everything in San José. Got my visa approved in 3 weeks!”
— Raj P., Tech Executive
“Sergio Monge and his team transitioned me from a tourist stamp to a fully legal Digital Nomad in record time. Highly recommended.”
— Sarah T., USA
Expand Your Legal Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is AG Legal located in San José?
Our headquarters are strategically located in Barrio Escalante, 7th Ave, 29 St., Edificio No. 2910, San José, Costa Rica.
Does a US citizen need a visa in 2026?
No, US citizens can legally stay up to 180 days without a visa for tourism purposes. Just bring a pristine passport and a return ticket.
How do I prove my $100/month solvency?
Immigration officers generally accept three months of printed bank statements or a physical international credit card with an available balance.
Can I work in Costa Rica on a visitor visa?
No. Working on a tourist visa is strictly illegal. You must apply for a specific Work Permit through the Ministry of Labor.
Protect Your Journey
Stop guessing. Let Costa Rica’s leading immigration attorneys secure your entry and residency.