Eligibility quiz
Do you use technology to work remotely for someone outside Costa Rica and receive your pay from abroad?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Costa Rica
You can live in Costa Rica for one year, with one possible extension of one year.
You can leave and re-enter, subject to the usual passport, visa and border rules.
Work remotely
You can work remotely for an employer or clients outside Costa Rica, as an employee or independently.
Your qualifying foreign income is exempt from income tax, and you have no related tax filing or payment duties.
Drive with your licence
You can use your home-country driving licence for your whole authorized stay in Costa Rica.
Live with older adults
Older adults who live with you can qualify to stay with you in Costa Rica as dependants, whatever their citizenship.
Import work equipment
During your stay, you can bring in basic personal work equipment without the relevant import taxes.
This covers a personal computer, phone, tablet, camera, sound-recording or playback equipment, and accessories needed for your remote work.
Open a bank account
You can open a bank account in Costa Rica, though acceptance is not guaranteed.
How to apply
From outside Costa RicaFrom outside Costa Rica
Download the application forms
Download the remote worker stay application and consent forms. If you are including family, also download the forms that apply to them.
Find the formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Costa Rica digital nomad stay application and consent forms?”
Fill in the forms
Complete and sign your application and consent forms. Complete the applicable family forms too; a parent signs for a minor or disabled adult child, unless a representative with the required special power of attorney signs.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the Costa Rica digital nomad stay application and family forms?”
Register your application online
Create your digital file on Trámite Ya and give the required consent.
Register your applicationPay the application fee
Pay US$100 to Banco de Costa Rica account 242480-0 and keep the receipt. Pay the same fee for each family member applying.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Costa Rica digital nomad stay application fee to Banco de Costa Rica?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsSubmit your application
Upload your completed forms and supporting documents to your Trámite Ya file and submit the application.
Submit your applicationWait for the decision
Follow your file online using your immigration office and file number. If the immigration office asks for more information or documents, provide them within eight working days.
Follow your applicationTravel to Costa Rica
After your application is approved, travel to Costa Rica to complete the identification process.
Find arrival informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Costa Rica after my digital nomad stay application is approved?”
Once in Costa RicaOnce in Costa Rica
Book your identification appointment
After approval and arrival, request a documentation appointment by calling the Immigration Call Center at 1311 or Banco de Costa Rica at 800-227-2482.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Costa Rica digital nomad stay identification appointment?”
Attend your identification appointment
Bring your original passport and the required documents to your appointment to complete the identification process. This lets you obtain your Costa Rican immigration identification.
Find appointment requirementsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a Costa Rica digital nomad stay identification appointment?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Get the birth record that shows your relationship to your child from the office that issued it.
* Only if you include a child in your application.
May need translationMarriage or partnership records *
Get the marriage or civil-status record that shows your relationship to your spouse or partner from the office that issued it.
* Only if you include your spouse or partner in your application.
May need translationRelationship or cohabitation declaration *
Provide a sworn declaration showing your relationship to the older adult or that you live together.
* Only if you include an older adult who lives with you.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Extension and documents
Keep your immigration documents valid/Digital-Nomads.aspx); an extension requires fees and proof of continuing foreign income.
The law requires 180 days in Costa Rica in the first year, but immigration guidance says 80/Digital-Nomads.aspx); confirm the rule before relying on the shorter figure.
Foreign remote work
You must continue working remotely for an employer or clients outside Costa Rica; local paid work and other unauthorized services can lead to cancellation.
Medical insurance
You must keep medical insurance covering you and any included dependants for the whole authorized stay.
Status can end
Your status ends on expiry unless extended or replaced by another status.
Cancellation can follow unauthorized work, loss of proof of eligibility or incomplete post-approval paperwork.
If canceled, dependants lose their status and import taxes become due; unauthorized work also brings taxes, interest and penalties.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Costa Rica Expats & Digital Nomads - by Expat Money
English Facebook group for people living in Costa Rica interested in Costa Rican visas
Request to joinLiving in Costa Rica: Expat Community
English Facebook group for people living in Costa Rica interested in Costa Rican visas
Join on FacebookExpats moving to Costa Rica
English Facebook group for people living in Costa Rica interested in Costa Rican visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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