Costa Rica
All Visa Pathways(24 visas)
Costa RicaCross-Border Worker Permit (Categoría Especial - Trabajador Transfronterizo)
Employer-sponsored work permit for border-region residents of neighboring countries, fee-exempt under Law 8764.
Costa RicaDigital Nomad Visa (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos y Prestadores de Servicios)
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 RicaDiplomatic/Official Visa (Visa Diplomática / Visa Oficial)
Entry authorization for diplomats and international organization officials on official assignment, with diplomatic privileges and no visa fee.
Costa RicaEstudio — Student Residency (Residencia Temporal - Estudiantes)
Temporary study residency for foreign nationals enrolled in recognized Costa Rican educational institutions, renewable annually without work rights.
Costa RicaExecutive & Transfer Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal - Ejecutivos, Representantes, Gerentes y Personal Técnico)
Temporary residency for executives, managers, representatives, and technical personnel transferred by their company to Costa Rica.
Costa RicaFamily Reunification (Dependent) Visa
Temporary residency visa for spouses, children, parents, and siblings of Costa Rican citizens or legal residents. Allows family reunification with no additional income requirements if primary applicant meets residency requirements. Can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.
Costa RicaFree Trade Zone Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal - Personal de Empresas COMEX/Zona Franca)
Temporary residency for executives, scientists, professionals, and technical staff employed by COMEX-authorized free trade zone companies in Costa Rica.
Costa RicaInvestor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Inversionista)
Renewable 2-year investment visa requiring USD $150,000 minimum in approved sectors; no work authorization for principal or dependents.
Costa RicaPensionado (Retiree) Visa
Temporary residency for retirees with USD 1,000+ monthly pension income, renewable in 2-year terms with permanent residency pathway after 3 years.
Costa RicaPensionado Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Pensionado)
Temporary residency for retirees with at least $1,000/month guaranteed lifetime pension, providing a pathway to permanent residency.
Costa RicaPermanent Residency by Family Link (Residencia Permanente - Vínculo con Costarricense)
Permanent residency for first-degree family members including spouses of Costa Rican citizens with unrestricted work authorization.
Costa RicaPermanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente - Libre Condición)
Permanent residency for those with 3+ years of prior legal temporary status, granting unrestricted work authorization via Libre Condición status.
Costa RicaReligiosos — Temporary Residency for Religious Workers (Residencia Temporal para Religiosos)
Employer-sponsored temporary residency for religious workers performing faith-based activities, allowing up to 2 years' stay with no spousal work authorization.
Costa RicaRentista (Fixed Income) Visa
Temporary residency for passive-income earners with USD 2,500+/month or USD 60,000 deposit; 2 years renewable toward permanent residency.
Costa RicaRentista Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Rentista)
Residency via passive income ($2,500+/month or $60,000 deposit) leading to permanent residency; no spouse work permission.
Costa RicaResearcher, Teacher & Intern Residency (Residencia Temporal - Investigadores, Docentes y Pasantes)
Temporary residency for researchers, teachers, and interns affiliated with Costa Rican academic or scientific institutions.
Costa RicaResidency by Common-Law Union (Residencia por Unión de Hecho)
Temporary residency for those in committed domestic partnership with a Costa Rican citizen or permanent resident, renewable annually and convertible to permanent status.
Costa RicaResidency by Marriage (Residencia por Matrimonio con Costarricense)
Temporary residency for spouses of Costa Rican citizens with work authorization and a pathway to permanent residency after 3 consecutive years.
Costa RicaScientific & Specialized Professional Residency (Residencia Temporal - Científicos, Profesionales y Técnicos Especializados)
Employer-sponsored residency for scientists, specialized professionals, and technicians with bachelor's degree and sponsorship from Costa Rican organizations.
Costa RicaSpecial Humanitarian Category (Categoría Migratoria Humanitaria Especial)
Work authorization for Colombian, Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan asylum seekers in Costa Rica, renewable 2-year grants with no family work rights.
Costa RicaStudent Visa
International student residency for enrolled academic programs at Costa Rican institutions, with no work authorization allowed.
Costa RicaTemporary Residence for Work (Residencia Temporal por Trabajo)
Employer-sponsored work residence for foreign professionals; 2 years renewable with a pathway to permanent residency in Costa Rica.
Costa RicaTránsito — Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)
Transit pass for nationals of select countries permitted up to 48-hour stopovers in Costa Rica en route to another destination.
Costa RicaTurista — Tourist Visa (Visa de Turismo)
Short-term entry visa for tourism, allowing 30 to 90 days depending on nationality, with no work authorization.