Digital Nomad Visa

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Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa at a glance (2026)

  • Minimum income: US$3,000 per month (US$4,000 if you apply with family members), from sources outside Costa Rica
  • Duration: 1 year, renewable once for another year (up to 2 years in total)
  • Costs: US$100 to start the application plus US$90 for the official documents
  • Processing time: usually less than 30 days
  • Also required: health insurance for you and your dependents, documents in Spanish
  • Tax: no Costa Rican income tax on income earned abroad

Officially this visa category is designated as visa for “Remote Workers and Service Providers”. It is not a requirement to work remote using digital technology analog technologies are accepted as well. In short form this visa is just called the Digital Nomad Visa.
The Digital Nomad Visa allows you to stay in Costa Rica for up to 2 years without having to leave the country. The visa is valid for a year and can be easily renewed for another year.
This visa category allows people who work remotely for a company in another country and are exempt from paying income tax in Costa Rica!
This visa category was exclusively created for remote workers. There are many digital nomads that have lived this lifestyle for many years and still do on tourist visas, but the new visa category offers many benefits.
You can de-register in your home country, temporarily or definitively, from your health care system. This depends in detail of course on your home country. In some countries it is not possible to de-register, in others, with an obligatory health care system, it is possible to de-register. During your stay in Costa Rica, you need proof of a health insurance for the time of your stay, in general this is much more economical than a general health care insurance.
There is the option of turning your gross income into your net income. This is a great opportunity to make and save some extra money and enjoy working and living in an exotic location.
Opposed to a regular tourist visa it is possible to open a bank account in Costa Rica. Opening accounts in foreign countries is usually not easy, this is a huge advantage.
Another benefit is that it is allowed to transfer your driver’s license and obtain a driver’s license in Costa Rica. You can just homologate your driver’s license from your home country.
And you can waive custom taxes on most equipment that you need to fulfill your work.
All those incentives make you feel more like a resident than a tourist. Although you don't obtain the same benefits as a legal resident. For example, you will still have to pay the entrance fee for tourists and not the one for locals or residents, at national parks.
The process from applying for the visa till receiving the official documents will take less than 30 days.

Costa Rica offers a specific visa category especially for digital nomads!

Benefits

  • It is possible to stay in Costa Rica for up to 2 years without having to leave the country.
  • It is legal to work remotely while in Costa Rica for a company in a third country.
  • You are exempt of paying income tax in Costa Rica!
  • People who got assigned the digital nomads visa can open a bank account in Costa Rica.
  • If you got issued the digital nomad visa you can obtain a Costa Rican driver’s license
  • You don’t have to pay custom taxes for the equipment you need to bring to work remotely. Of course, restrictions apply here.
  • Most likely you will be able to lower your expense for health care insurance.

Requirements

  • Proof of at least US$3000, - monthly income.
  • Proof at least US$4000, - monthly income if the visa is applied for further family members.
  • Proof of health insurance for the person that applied for the digital nomad visa and all dependents.
  • All documents must be presented in Spanish.
  • A deposit of US$100, - has to be made to start the application process.
  • To retrieve the legal documents a fee of US$90, - has to be deposited.

Digital Nomad Visa Costa Rica: FAQ

  • How long can I stay in Costa Rica with the Digital Nomad Visa? The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed once for another year. In total you can stay up to 2 years without having to leave the country.
  • Can I renew the Digital Nomad Visa? Yes. It can be renewed once for another year. Renewal is not automatic, so apply for it in time before the first year ends.
  • Can I bring my family? Yes, family members can apply with you. In that case you have to show an income of at least US$4,000 per month, and the health insurance must cover every dependent.
  • Do I pay income tax in Costa Rica? Income that you earn from clients or an employer outside Costa Rica is exempt from Costa Rican income tax. Your tax obligations in your home country are not affected by the visa. Please ask a tax advisor about your personal situation.
  • Does the Digital Nomad Visa lead to residency? No, not automatically. It is a temporary stay permit for remote workers and service providers. It gives you some benefits of a resident, such as opening a bank account, but you do not receive the same status as a legal resident.
  • Do I need the Digital Nomad Visa, or is a tourist visa enough? Many digital nomads work remotely on a tourist stay, which is usually limited to 90 days and up to 180 days for some nationalities. The Digital Nomad Visa is the legal option if you want to stay longer. It also lets you open a bank account and bring your equipment without customs duties, with restrictions.

    • How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa

    1. Check your eligibility. Make sure you earn at least US$3,000 per month (US$4,000 with family) from clients or an employer outside Costa Rica.
    2. Get your health insurance. It must cover you and every dependent who applies with you.
    3. Collect and translate your documents. Everything must be presented in Spanish.
    4. Apply on the official portal. The application is made through the Costa Rican immigration authority: migracion.go.cr/nomadas-digitales.
    5. Pay the application deposit to start the process.
    6. Wait for the decision and pay the fee to receive the official documents.

    Coconut Office, Costa Rica