requirements:
Foreign nationals may apply to the immigration sub-category of Stay (Estancia) for Remote Workers and Service Providers if they provide paid services remotely, irrespective of whether such services are subcontracted, using digital or telecommunication technologies or analogous means, to a natural person or legal entity located outside of Costa Rica, earning a minimum amount of three thousand U.S. dollars ($3,000.00) per month originating from outside of Costa Rica for the provision of such services, or a minimum of four thousand U.S. dollars ($4,000.00) per month originating from outside of Costa Rica for the provision of such services if they also wish to apply for their dependents to legally stay in the country. The above amounts will be determined in accordance with the official sale price set by the Central Bank of Costa Rica.
Foreign nationals and their dependents who meet the following requirements may legally stay in the country under the immigration sub-category of Stay (Estancia) for Remote Workers and Service Providers:
- Application form signed by the applicant or their representative. Check the Form, regulation and legal aid section on this page to download the relevant forms depending on whether the applicant will submit the form online through the Tramite Ya digital platform https://tramiteya.go.cr/dgme/ or in person using a physical form in the central or regional offices of the General Directorate of Immigration (DGEM).
- Receipt confirming payment to the Government in the amount of one hundred US dollars ($100.00) or the equivalent amount in Costa Rican colones at the reference exchange rate of the Central Bank of Costa Rica, in accordance with Article 256 of the General Law on Immigration and Aliens. This deposit must be made to account no. 242480-0 of the Banco de Costa Rica.
- A copy of the photo page of the foreign national’s valid passport, which contains their photograph and biographical information, as well as the page containing the Costa Rican entry stamp if the applicant is already in Costa Rica. The passport must always be provided for the documentation process.
- Consular or restricted visas as applicable to the group of countries set forth in the requirements under Executive Decree no. 36626-G, entitled “Regulation on granting entry visas to Costa Rica”, based on the applicant’s nationality in accordance with the provisions of the “General Guidelines on Visas for the Entry and Stay of Non-Residents”. The exceptions set forth in the above-mentioned guidelines will be considered when applying this rule.
- Bank statements accompanied by an affidavit declaring that the statements have been requested and obtained from the corresponding financial institution. These statements must provide evidence of income and indicate that the individual has received payment or remuneration during the previous year from outside Costa Rica in an amount of not less than three thousand US dollars ($3,000.00) per month at the official sale rate determined by the Central Bank of Costa Rica, or four thousand US dollars ($4,000.00) if the applicant is requesting that their family group be granted permission to legally stay in Costa Rica. Alternately, the applicant may submit a certification of the above issued by a public accountant or notary public, if the procedure is completed in Costa Rica, or by the counterparts of such professionals abroad in accordance with the legislation of the respective country. This certification is the only component that must be accompanied by the respective consular legalization or apostille.
By law all documents issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official translation in Spanish. Applications for underage children or children with disabilities of any age must be signed by the parent completing the application or whose application in this sub-category has been approved, or the latter’s special representative. If the application is submitted by a representative, it must be accompanied by the respective power of attorney granted under the laws governing such legal acts.
For the purpose of complying with the provisions of Item 70 of the General Law on Immigration and Aliens and safeguarding national security, and in compliance with the provisions in Item 11 bis of Law 10008, the issuance of visas in this category is subject to a security review by DGME of the criminal and police records via the national and international databases to which it has access. Likewise, if it deems appropriate, DGME may carry out biometric revisions in order to safeguard national security.