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Tránsito — Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)
Costa RicaCosta Rica•North America
Open

Tránsito — Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

Not confirmed

Varies by consulate
Stay Duration

2 days

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Transit pass for nationals of select countries permitted up to 48-hour stopovers in Costa Rica en route to another destination.

The Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito) is a short-stay authorization for foreign nationals from designated countries passing through Costa Rica en route to another destination. Established by the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, it ensures that travelers who are not visa-exempt have proper authorization to briefly stopover while changing aircraft or carriers.

This visa permits stays of up to 48 hours and does not allow exploration or work in Costa Rica. Applicants must provide a valid passport (90+ days validity), confirmed onward travel tickets, and proof of employment or income. Processing varies by consulate, typically up to 30 days. Dependents may be included if criteria are met.

This visa is ideal for transit passengers from non-visa-exempt countries who need formal authorization to change flights or carriers at Costa Rican airports.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2 days

Eligible Nationalities (47)

AfghanistanAfghanistanAngolaAngolaAzerbaijanAzerbaijanBangladeshBangladeshBeninBeninBurkina FasoBurkina FasoCameroonCameroonCape VerdeCape VerdeCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - BrazzavilleCubaCubaDjiboutiDjiboutiEquatorial GuineaEquatorial GuineaEritreaEritreaEthiopiaEthiopiaGambiaGambiaGeorgiaGeorgiaGhanaGhanaGuineaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuinea-BissauHaitiHaitiIndiaIndiaIranIranIraqIraqJamaicaJamaica

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be transiting through Costa Rica to another country.

Passport must be in good condition with at least 90 days of validity from the date of entry.

Must have travel tickets indicating entry and departure dates.

For double-entry transit visas, the second entry must occur within 90 days of the first.

Must not exceed 48 hours of stay in the country.

Must provide proof of employment (or income certification for self-employed individuals).

Must provide a criminal record certificate.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Transit visa application form.

Proof of payment for consular fees.

Travel tickets (entry and departure).

Letter from employer (stating duration, responsibilities, and salary) or income certification from a Certified Public Accountant for self-employed.

Criminal record certificate.

Valid passport (minimum 90 days validity).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Allows nationals from 47 designated countries to transit legally without a tourism visa requirement
  • Provides a structured legal pathway for formal immigration clearance during stopovers
  • Processing handled by consulates with a defined up-to-30-day decision window
  • Double-entry option permits flexible routing on multi-leg journeys within 90 days
  • Short 48-hour maximum stay minimizes administrative burden compared to longer tourist visas
  • Applicants can demonstrate employment stability through proof of income certification
  • Removes ambiguity for citizens of restricted nationalities requiring transit authorization

Worth Knowing

  • Nationals of 47 designated countries require this visa; most citizens enjoy visa exemptions for transit
  • Mandatory criminal record certificate and proof of employment add documentation complexity
  • Processing times vary by consulate; consulates have up to 30 days to decide, so plan accordingly
  • Dependents must separately demonstrate transit criteria; family approval is not automatic on principal's application
  • Entry must occur within 30 days of visa issuance to maintain validity
  • Non-renewable; each transit requires a separate visa application and cannot be extended in-country
  • Not a pathway to residency or employment; purely for transit stopovers only

Application Process

1

Identify the nearest Costa Rican consulate or embassy.

2

Gather all required documentation, including proof of onward travel and employment/income verification.

3

Submit the application and pay the applicable consular fees.

4

Wait for processing (consulates typically have up to 30 days).

5

Receive the visa and enter Costa Rica via authorized immigration checkpoints.

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