Immigrate to Costa Rica: Visa Requirements per Country
In this guide about immigrate to Costa Rica, we offer essential information regarding visas to visit Costa Rica, distinguishing between various visa types and shedding light on temporary and permanent residency application processes.
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Visa by country of origin
Official 2023 Costa Rica Government table Visas
| Country | Visa Group | Visa Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 calendar days (non-extendable). Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Andorra | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Argentina | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Australia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Austria | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Bahamas | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Barbados | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Belgium | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Brazil | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Bulgaria | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Canada | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Croatia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Chile | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Cyprus | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Denmark | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| United Arab Emirates | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Slovakia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Slovenia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Spain | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Qatar | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| United States of America | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Estonia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Finland | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| France | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Hungary | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Ireland | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Iceland | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Israel | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Italy | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Japan | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Latvia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Liechtenstein | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Lithuania | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Luxembourg | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Malta | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Mexico | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Montenegro | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Norway | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| New Zealand | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Netherlands (Holland) | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Panama | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Paraguay | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Poland | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Portugal | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Monaco | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| San Marino | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Peru | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Puerto Rico | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Serbia | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| South Africa | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| United Kingdom | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Czech Republic | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| South Korea | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Greece | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Romania | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Vatican | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Singapore | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Sweden | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Switzerland | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Ukraine | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Uruguay | First Group | No visa required. Max stay 180 days. Passport valid 1 day on arrival. |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Belize | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Bolivia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Dominica | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| El Salvador | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Brunei | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Russia | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Philippines | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Fiji | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Grenada | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Guatemala | Second Group | Visa exempt. Max stay 30 days, extendable to 90 days under local laws. Passport valid at least 90 days. |
| Albania | Third Group | Consular visa required: single entry, valid 3 months from approval, must be used within 60 days of stamping. Max stay 30 days (extendable to 90). Passport validity 180 days minimum. |
| Angola | Third Group | Consular visa required: single entry, valid 3 months from approval, must be used within 60 days of stamping. Max stay 30 days (extendable to 90). Passport validity 180 days minimum. |
| Saudi Arabia | Third Group | Consular visa required: single entry, valid 3 months from approval, must be used within 60 days of stamping. Max stay 30 days (extendable to 90). Passport validity 180 days minimum. |
| Afghanistan | Fourth Group | Restricted visa required: single entry, must be stamped within 3 months of approval, used within 60 days. Max stay 30 days (extendable to 90). Passport validity 180 days minimum. |
| Azerbaijan | Fourth Group | Restricted visa required: single entry, must be stamped within 3 months of approval, used within 60 days. Max stay 30 days (extendable to 90). Passport validity 180 days minimum. |
Specific regulations exist for El Salvador, Russia, Nicaragua, China and Administrative Regions, Colombia, Venezuela.
You can check it in the official decree of the Costa Rican government: Costa Rica VISA official Decree
Exceptions for entry group with consular visa or restricted visa:
Nationals of countries with these types of visas, who hold valid multi-entry visas or residency in certain categories valid for at least 90 days in the USA or Canada, may enter Costa Rica without new visa.
Do you need an entry or transit visa?
If you are from a restricted visa country and only transiting through Costa Rica, you must obtain a transit visa.
Current date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 2:50 PM CST
Costa Rica visa requirements for Indian citizens
India falls under the third group of visa types for Costa Rica, which offers a single-entry visa with 60 days to enter the country, allowing for a maximum stay of 30 calendar days, extendable up to 90 days. The passport must have a minimum validity of 180 days.
Exception: Indian nationals with permanent residence in the United States or Canada follow the visa rules of those countries and may be exempted from the Costa Rican visa. Transit visas (C1, C2, and C3) from the USA are not accepted.
Apply for Costa Rica VISA
You must complete a visa application form and send it to the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate in your home country, including required documents such as valid passport, photographs, and proof of funds. Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks.
Extending Your Stay in Costa Rica
Residency application numbers validate your legal stay; no visa or exit required while application pending. You may freely travel abroad and re-enter Costa Rica during this process.
Travel advice: Consider weather patterns and avoid travel delays. No COVID-19 vaccination is currently required. Costa Rica provides excellent healthcare services.
Entry restrictions: Yellow Fever Vaccination
Travelers from certain South American and sub-Saharan African countries must present proof of Yellow Fever vaccination at least 10 days before arriving in Costa Rica.
Affected countries: Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela, and others.
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