Emma Sky
24 Aug 2026
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Complete Guide
A six-month stay in Costa Rica doesn't automatically mean you need a digital nomad visa. Some travellers can now receive up to 180 days as tourists.
Staying longer is another story. The Costa Rica digital nomad visa gives eligible remote workers a legal stay of up to one year, with one possible renewal.
Applicants need qualifying foreign income of at least $3,000 per month. That rises to $4,000 when applying with qualifying family members.
The rules look simple at first glance. They aren't always. Some official Costa Rican pages even show conflicting figures for renewal.
So, where those numbers disagree, this guide follows the current text of Costa Rica's Law No. 10008 and flags the difference clearly.
4.9
Highly Rated
Based on 500,000+ customer reviews
Trusted worldwide
Over 1 million travelers across the globe have trusted us
Travel Friendly
No swaps, global connectivity ensured
How the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Works
Costa Rica's program is aimed at foreign nationals who work remotely for people or companies outside Costa Rica.
You can be an employee, contractor, freelancer or remote service provider as long as your qualifying income comes from abroad.
The legal immigration category is a non-resident stay for remote workers and international service providers.
If you're also planning where to live, work and manage day-to-day life, our digital nomad guide covers the broader Costa Rica remote-work experience.
Costa Rican law also says the initial benefit may be granted for less than one year if the applicant requests a shorter period. It isn't automatically a fixed 12-month visa.
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The income figure gets most of the attention, but proof matters just as much as the number. Costa Rica's official digital nomad requirements set the income threshold at $3,000 per month for an individual and $4,000 when applying with qualifying dependents.
The law allows the applicant's income to be combined with income from a spouse or another qualifying family member.
There's another detail people often miss. The law refers to stable monthly pay, fixed income or average monthly income during the previous year.
So, the rule is more nuanced than saying every single monthly statement must show exactly $3,000 or more.
Health insurance must cover the applicant for the full authorised stay. Dependents included in the application also need coverage.
Current official tourism guidance sets minimum medical coverage at $50,000. Check the requirement again before purchasing a policy because immigration procedures can change.
Documents issued outside Costa Rica may also require translation, legalisation, or other formal treatment depending on the document and current DGME procedure.
How to Apply for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
You can apply through Costa Rica's digital process. The official procedure also allows an in-person route through DGME when the applicable steps are followed.
1. Check whether you qualify
Confirm your foreign-source income, passport status and family eligibility before paying anything.
2. Prepare your documents
Gather your income evidence, passport details, insurance documentation and family records if dependents are included.
3. Submit the application
Digital applicants use the government application process for the remote worker and service provider category. Trámite Ya is used in the current procedure.
4. Pay the application-related fee
Current official guidance lists a $100 government payment at this stage. Don't treat that as the full cost of getting the immigration document.
5. Wait for DGME's decision
The official procedure gives the immigration administration 15 calendar days to issue a written decision after receiving a complete application.
What if something is missing? DGME can issue one written notice within five calendar days identifying missing information or requesting clarification.
You then have eight working days to respond. Once the missing requirements arrive, the remaining part of the 15-calendar-day review period resumes.
That's why saying "the visa takes 15 days" is misleading. Fifteen calendar days is the official review framework for a complete file. Corrections can stretch the real timeline.
6. Finish the post-approval process
Approval isn't the last administrative step. After DGME grants the stay, you generally have three months to process your immigration accreditation document. Failing to finish this stage can trigger cancellation procedures.
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Cost and Processing Time
The $100 figure is real, but it isn't the whole bill. There are separate post-approval expenses plus insurance and document-related costs
The current official document-issuance page confirms the separate $90 payment and also requires a guarantee deposit based on the applicable regulation.
Insurance can make a bigger difference to the final budget than the application fee itself. Age, duration and insurer all affect the price.
How long does the process take?
Don't mix up calendar days with working days. The distinction appears directly in the official procedure.
Can You Bring Your Spouse or Family?
Yes, qualifying family members can be included under Costa Rica's digital nomad rules.
The law covers a spouse or common-law partner, children under 25 and children of any age with a disability.
Certain older adults who live with the applicant can also qualify. Relationship evidence is required.
The income requirement becomes $4,000 per month when applying for family benefits. Costa Rican law allows qualifying income from the applicant and certain family members to be combined to reach that threshold.
One caution matters here. The primary beneficiary's tax treatment doesn't automatically transfer to every dependent.
A family member who wants that same tax benefit must independently meet the requirements for a direct beneficiary.
Taxes and Legal Benefits for Digital Nomads in Costa Rica
Costa Rica gives approved digital nomads specific tax treatment for qualifying foreign income.
Under Law No. 10008 and its regulation, qualifying beneficiaries receive an exemption from Costa Rica's profits tax. Their foreign income isn't treated as Costa Rican-source income for this program.
That doesn't mean digital nomads pay no tax. Your tax responsibilities can still depend on where you're tax resident, your nationality, your company structure and the rules in your home country.
Costa Rica's program also provides other benefits. Qualifying beneficiaries can receive customs relief for certain personal computing and telecommunications equipment used for their work.
A valid foreign driving licence is also recognised under the program while the relevant conditions apply.
There is a firm work restriction too. The program doesn't act as a general Costa Rican work permit. Beneficiaries can't simply take locally paid work outside what their remote-worker immigration category permits.
If you're dealing with a complicated tax setup, get advice based on your own circumstances. This guide provides general information, not personal legal or tax advice.
How Renewal Works and What Happens After Two Years
Costa Rica's digital nomad status can be renewed once. The current text of Law No. 10008 says you must have spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the original authorised year to qualify for the extension.
You'll sometimes see a different number online. One current Visit Costa Rica renewal page still says 80 days. That page attributes the figure to Article 15, but Article 15 of the current law says 180 days.
For that reason, use the law and confirm the requirement directly with DGME before submitting a renewal.
What happens after the second period? The digital nomad program doesn't automatically convert into permanent residence.
If you're comparing longer remote-work options in Latin America, the Colombia digital nomad visa can allow a stay of up to two years.
Costa Rican law does allow a beneficiary to request a change to another immigration category before the current status expires, but only when that person separately qualifies for the new category.
Digital Nomad Visa vs Tourist Stay: Which Makes More Sense?
This comparison has changed. Older guides often describe Costa Rica's tourist stay as a simple 90-day limit.
Current official entry rules say travellers from the first visa-exempt group may receive up to 180 calendar days. Other nationality groups have different limits.
The immigration officer decides the authorised stay when you enter.
Suppose you're staying for three months. Going through the digital nomad application process may offer little practical value.
Now change the plan to 10 months. You want to work remotely, include your spouse, and possibly stay a second year.
Still comparing destinations? Our guide to digital nomad visa countries covers income requirements, visa lengths and remote-work options across other popular destinations.
How to Stay Connected While Working in Costa Rica
A great apartment doesn't help much when its Wi-Fi drops five minutes before a client call. Ask your host for a recent speed test before booking a long stay. If your job involves daily video meetings, keep a second connection ready.
Mobile data works well as that backup. An eSIM can give you a separate data connection without replacing your main physical SIM.
Current Costa Rica eSIM plans from eSIMCard support hotspot use, which can be useful when your apartment or coworking Wi-Fi fails.
Network availability still depends on your location, so check the exact area before relying on mobile data for work.
And check your phone before buying. eSIM support varies by model and market, even within the same brand. You can check whether your phone supports eSIM before buying any plan.
For longer stays, compare eSIMCard plans coverage around your actual accommodation rather than assuming one result applies to the whole country.
How to Check if Your Phone Is eSIM Compatible
You can confirm eSIM compatibility on your phone in a few simple steps:
- You can also dial *#06#. If an EID appears, your phone has eSIM hardware. If no EID appears, check the manufacturer's specifications because some models and regional variants handle eSIM differently.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data and look for Add eSIM.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs or Connections > SIM Manager and look for Add eSIM.
Conclusion
Costa Rica's digital nomad program is most useful when you want more than a short visit and can meet its income, insurance and remote-work rules.
Check the latest DGME requirements before filing, especially if you're bringing dependents or planning to renew.
Then sort out the practical side too. Documents, health cover and a backup internet connection are much easier to arrange before your flight.
If mobile data is part of that backup plan, check the current eSIMCard options before you travel.
Choose the right eSIM plan for your stay and set it up on a compatible device before you need it.
FAQs
How much income do you need for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
You need at least $3,000 per month in qualifying foreign income as an individual. The threshold is $4,000 when requesting benefits for qualifying family members. The law can also consider fixed income or average monthly income during the previous year.
How long does it take to get a Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
The official procedure gives DGME 15 calendar days to decide on a complete application. Missing documents or clarification requests can extend the real processing time.
Can I apply for Costa Rica's digital nomad visa online?
Yes. Costa Rica provides a digital application process for remote workers and service providers. An official in-person process also exists under the current procedure.
Do I need health insurance for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
Yes, you need a medical policy covering the full authorised stay, and included dependents must also be covered. Current official tourism guidance specifies minimum medical coverage of $50,000.
Can I work for a Costa Rican company?
Not under the digital nomad status as a general local work permit. The law restricts beneficiaries from taking locally paid work outside the services allowed by their immigration category.
Can I bring my spouse and children?
Yes, Costa Rican law allows qualifying spouses, partners, children and certain other dependents to be included. Supporting relationship documents are required.
Does Costa Rica's digital nomad visa lead to permanent residency?
No, the program doesn't automatically create permanent residency. You may request another immigration category before expiry if you independently meet that category's requirements.
How many days must I stay in Costa Rica to renew?
The current text of Law No. 10008 requires at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the original authorised year. This is one figure you should check again before renewal because an official tourism webpage currently displays a conflicting 80-day number.
