Digital nomads in Costa Rica: complete guide to applying for visas

That of a digital nomad is a life that is as fascinating as it is personally and educationally fulfilling.
A digital nomad is in fact a freelance worker who provides services remotely, but if you are here you already know that.
Costa Rica, like other countries, allows this type of worker to reside in the territory on a temporary basis, thanks to a visa specifically issued for the provision of remote services and benefits.

Obviously, the ministry in charge requires some attentions and certain requirements to obtain the digital nomad visa, but the issuance is all in all quick and can be done conveniently online (as well as in person)-this is to incentivize the presence of digital nomads in Costa Rica.
In this article you can find all the necessary guidance regarding the requirements, costs, and procedure for applying for temporary residence, for you and your family.

Procedure for applying for a visa for Digital Nomads in Costa Rica.

Foreign nationals who apply for the subcategory of Stay (Estancia) for Remote Workers and Service Providers and their family members, either digitally or in person, must complete the registration on the digital platform, providing informed consent in accordance with Article 5 of Law 10008, and meet the requirements stated above, if applicable.

If the applicant intends to submit a physical, in-person application, he or she must schedule an appointment through the DGME Web Appointment Portal by selecting the Stay (Estancia) option for Digital Nomads.

If the application is submitted in person, the applicant must go to the Foreigner Management Services Platform (Plataforma de Servicios de la Gestión de Extranjería) with all the necessary requirements to open their file.
This platform can be found at DGME’s central offices in La Uruca, or in the regional offices that manage DGME’s administrative procedures.

Alien Management or the relevant regional coordinating body will have a period of 15 calendar days from the date of submission of the application to issue a written decision on the application in this subcategory.

Within 5 calendar days of receiving the application, the processing office will issue a single written notice, listing missing requirements or requesting you to provide additional information or clarification.
The applicant will have 8 working days to complete or clarify their application.

Once the applicant has submitted all requirements, the administration’s remaining 15 calendar day period will begin to run to issue a final decision.

If the requirements listed in the notice are not submitted within eight working days, the application will be rejected through an administrative act in accordance with Law 6227, the General Law on Public Administration, and the file will be archived.

All documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation.

Applications for minor children or children with disabilities of any age must be signed by the parent submitting the application or the special representative of the parent whose application in this subcategory has been approved.

If the application is submitted by a representative, it must be accompanied by the relevant power of attorney granted according to the relevant laws.

Issuance of residence permit for Digital Nomads in Costa Rica.

After receiving notification of the resolution granting legal residence in Costa Rica in the subcategory of Stay (Estancia) for Remote Workers and Service Providers, issued by the Foreigners Management of the DGME, the foreign national and/or his/her family members will have three months to complete the process of obtaining the immigration accreditation document.
If the process is not completed within this period, procedures will be initiated to cancel the immigration status granted to digital nomads in Costa Rica.

For documentation, the foreign national must make an appointment by calling the Immigration Call Center at 1311 or Banco de Costa Rica at 800-227-2482.

On the day of the appointment, the foreign national must present:

• A receipt evidencing payment to the government of the amount specified in the resolution of approval, in accordance with Article 215 of the General Law on Immigration and Aliens.
• A receipt evidencing payment to the government of ninety U.S. dollars ($90.00), relating to the application for the documents certifying legal stay, issuance of the document certifying legal stay, and the Special Social Immigration Fund fees.
• Receipt of single payment as security deposit for non-residents, subcategory of Stay (Estancia), according to the amount established in the Regulations on the Security Deposit Fund of the General Immigration and Aliens Law, in accordance with Executive Decree 36539-G.
• Passport of the foreign national valid and in good condition.
  The passport used to initiate the application must be provided as proof of identity.
  If the passport has expired, it must be submitted along with the valid travel document.
• Medical Services policy covering the applicant and his/her family members for the entire duration of the authorized legal stay.

Requirements for dependents of Digital Nomads in Costa Rica.

Spouses or cohabiting partners, children under the age of twenty-five, children of any age with disabilities, and elderly persons living with digital nomads in Costa Rica must submit the information required in items 1-4 of this subcategory.

See the Formularios section on this page to download the relevant forms, depending on whether the applicant submits the form online via the digital platform Through Ya or in person using a paper form at the central or regional offices of the Directorate General of Immigration (DGME).

In addition to the general requirements, family ties must be demonstrated with one of the following documents, as appropriate, issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin:

• Marriage certificate issued within the past six months.
• Document clearly evidencing a declaration or recognition of civil union, issued within the last six months by the competent authority.
• Copy of birth certificate of minor children or unmarried children up to age 25.
• If the dependent has a disability, medical certificate identifying the condition.
• Elderly dependents must prove the existence of a family relationship or cohabitation with the applicant through an affidavit.
• All documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation.
• Applications for minor children or children with disabilities of any age must be signed by the parent submitting the application or the special representative of the parent whose application under this subcategory has been approved.
• If the application is submitted by a representative, it must be accompanied by the power of attorney granted according to the relevant laws.
• In order to comply with the provisions of Article 70 of the General Law on Immigration and Aliens and to ensure national security, and in accordance with Article 11a of Law 10008, the issuance of visas in this category is subject to a security review by the DGME of criminal and police records through the national and international databases to which it has access.
  In addition, if necessary, the DGME may conduct biometric checks to ensure national security.

Health Policy for Digital Nomads in Costa Rica.

The policy must cover theentire duration of the legalstay authorized by the DGME for this category.

It must include coverage for medical expenses in case of illness in Costa Rica for a minimum of fifty thousand U.S. dollars ($50,000.00) and the period of validity must coincide with the duration of stay in the country.
The policy can be taken out with one of the insurance companies authorized by theOffice of the General Superintendent of Insurance of Costa Rica and duly registered with that authority.
Alternatively, applicants may obtain an international insurance policy offering the specified coverage.
In the case of family groups, each family member must have a medical services policy that meets the above requirements.

Digital Nomad Visa Renewal in Costa Rica.

To renew this immigration category, the foreign national must prove that he or she has resided in Costa Rica for at least 80 days, as stipulated in Article 15 of the Law.

The renewal requires the following documents, in accordance with Article 10 of the Regulations, Renewal of the Subcategory of Stay (Estancia):

• Application form signed by the applicant or his/her representative.
  The applicant must access the digital platform Through Ya, available at the URL https://tramiteya.go.cr/dgme/ or any other digital platform that DGME may make available to users in the future.
• Bank statements accompanied by an affidavit stating that the statements were requested and obtained from the corresponding financial institution.
  These statements must show that the individual has received payments or compensation during the previous year from outside Costa Rica in a minimum amount of three thousand U.S. dollars ($3,000.00) per month, according to the official exchange rate established by the Central Bank of Costa Rica, or four thousand U.S. dollars ($4,000.00) if the applicant is applying for a residence permit for his or her family.
  Alternatively, the applicant may submit a certification issued by a public accountant or public notary in Costa Rica, or by the fees of such professionals abroad in accordance with the legislation of the respective country.
  This certification is the only document that must be accompanied by the respective consular legalization or apostille.
• A receipt confirming payment to the government of the amount specified in the resolution of approval, in accordance with Article 215 of the General Law on Immigration and Aliens.
• A receipt confirming payment to the government of ninety U.S. dollars ($90.00), related to the application for the documents certifying legal stay, issuance of the document certifying legal stay, and the Special Social Immigration Fund fees.
• Valid passport in good condition of the foreign national.
  The passport used to initiate the application must be presented as proof of identity.
  If the passport has expired, it must be presented together with a valid travel document.
• Medical Services policy covering the applicant and his/her family members for the entire period of the authorized legal stay.

We hope we have dispelled your doubts regarding the procedure for applying for a digital nomad visa in Costa Rica, in any case we leave you the link to the official Costa Rican immigration page.
On the other hand, if you want to learn more about everything you need to know about temporary and permanent residency in Costa Rica, you can check out our dedicated guide.