Costa Rica•North AmericaDigital Nomad Visa (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos y Prestadores de Servicios)
At a Glance
2 weeks – 1 month
USD $100
1 year
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Costa Rica's Estancia for remote workers offers up to 2 years' stay with foreign-income tax exemption for nomads earning USD 3,000+/month from abroad.
Costa Rica's Estancia para Trabajador Remoto, created by Ley 10008 (2021), is a non-residency subcategory for foreigners who provide remote, paid services to people or companies abroad. Filing costs USD 100 via the TramiteYa platform; DGME has 15 calendar days to decide.
The stay is granted for 1 year, renewable once for 1 more year, capping total residency at 2 years. Applicants must show foreign-source income of USD 3,000/month (USD 4,000 with family) for the prior 12 months plus international health insurance. Foreign earnings are exempt from Costa Rican income tax.
This visa is ideal for remote workers and freelancers earning USD 3,000+/month from foreign clients who want up to two tax-favoured years in Costa Rica with their family.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 1 year |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a remote worker or freelancer for a company/clients outside of Costa Rica
Minimum monthly income of $3,000 USD (individual) or $4,000 USD (with family)
Income must be stable and verified for the previous 12 months
Must possess international health insurance covering the duration of the stay
Must not engage in local remunerated employment within Costa Rica
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
36,000 USD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Bank statements
Income verification
International health insurance
Employment contract
Criminal background check
Proof of accommodation
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Foreign-source income is exempt from Costa Rican income tax under Ley 10008
- Personal computing equipment may be imported tax-free
- Spouse and minor children can be included as dependents on the same application
- Statutory 15-calendar-day decision deadline at DGME
- Low USD 100 application fee for the principal applicant
- Fully online filing through the TramiteYa platform
- Does not preclude later applying for a separate residency category
Worth Knowing
- Hard 2-year maximum stay (1 year initial + one 1-year renewal only)
- Income proof of USD 3,000/month (or USD 4,000 with family) for the prior 12 months
- International health insurance covering the full stay is mandatory
- Dependents may not work for a Costa Rican employer
- Immigration accreditation must be completed within 3 months of authorization
- No path to permanent residency through this Estancia subcategory
- Working for any Costa Rican employer or client is prohibited
- Monthly foreign-source income below USD 3,000 disqualifies the applicant
Application Process
Gather documentation
Collect bank statements, income proof, employment contract, insurance
Apply online or in-person
Submit application through DGME online platform or at immigration office
Submit documents
Provide notarized income verification and proof of international health insurance
Pay application fee
USD 100 visa fee
Await decision
Processing typically 2-4 weeks
Receive approval
Approval letter granted
Related visas
More visas in Costa Rica
Digital nomad visas in other countries
- Virtual Work Residence Visa
United Arab Emirates
- LTR Visa - Work-from-Thailand Professional
Thailand
- Digital Nomad Visa (Live It Program)
Saint Lucia
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