Costa Rica Visa Requirements

Costa Rica visa requirements are fairly simple. Costa Rica EXEMPTS visa for most nationalities. For those who need a visa, Costa Rica offers visa EXEMPTION if they hold a valid visa from the United States, Canada or Schengen.

Days of entry depends on the passport but it’s usually at least 15 days to a maximum of 90 days.

Costa Rica Visa Requirements

Visa EXEMPT passport holders

Visa REQUIRED passport holders

Visa EXEMPT for passport holders with a valid VISA from the United States/Canada/Schengen/Japan

• Multiple entry business(B1)/tourist(B2)/crew(D) visa from the United States
• Multiple entry tourist visa from Canada
• Multiple entry Schengen visa
• Multiple entry tourist visa from any country in the European Union (EU)
• Visa must be stamped in the passport and must be valid for at least 1 day from the arrival date.
• Length of the stay may not be greater than the validity of the visa
• Length of the stay may not exceed 30 days
• Multiple entry business/tourist/crew visa from Japan
• Visa must be stamped in the passport and must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.
• Length of the stay may not exceed 30 days
• Work/student visa or permanent residency in US/Canada/Any country from EU
• Work/student visa must be stamped in the passport and must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months
• Permanent residents must have their residency card (or green card) and must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.
• Length of the stay may not exceed 30 days

When I traveled to Costa Rica for the first time, I have used my United States visa. I was given a 30-day entry. The second time, I have used my Canadian multiple entry tourist visa. I was given only a 15-day entry. In my opinion, it’s easier to get a 30-day entry with a US visa than with other visas (Canadian/Schengen/Japan multiple entry).

Immigration and Customs

Start
Some airlines do not let you check-in online if you need a visa to travel to the destination country. If your airline lets you check-in online, make sure to arrive at the gate a bit early and see the airline staff. They have to go through the visa requirements again, verify your passport/visa and issue a new boarding pass. So, make sure you account for this additional time.

Entry
When you arrive in San José, you will be asked a few questions by immigration and customs officials. Questions would be mostly on where you are coming from, how long the trip is and what you will be doing on this trip.

As always, carry a copy of your return ticket and hotel/hostel booking. Immigration officials sometimes insist on seeing a copy of the return tickets.

Exit
All tourists must pay exit tax before leaving Costa Rica. Pay the exit tax before going into the security or check-in line. If you go to the airline counter or security first, you will be sent back to pay the exit tax.

The exit tax is $29 USD. You can pay in cash (USD) and they give you change if you do not have the exact change.

Stop by the airline counter to get yourself verified of the exit tax payment if you have checked in online. They usually have to put a stamp on your boarding pass that you paid the exit tax.

Return
If you are returning back to the US from Costa Rica, there is a good chance that most of the passengers on the plane are US passport holders. In that case, there will not be anyone in the visitors’ line or everyone will go through the citizens’ line. Questions from CBP officials would be mostly on where you are coming from, how was the vacation, what did you do in Costa Rica, etc.

Overall

Costa Rica is a must visit country for everyone. Costa Rica visa requirements are fairly simple. Visa is EXEMPT for most nationalities. And those who need a visa are also EXEMPT if they hold a valid visa from the US, Canada or Schengen.

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