Costa RicaEntry and visas

Costa Rica entry rules

Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Israel, the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Türkiye, Serbia and Australia do not need to arrange a visa for Costa Rica in advance: the stay is 30 to 180 days depending on the passport. Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova need a visa from a consulate before the trip.

Checked against official sources on 9 October 2026.

Entry rules by passport

For a tourist trip. Checked on 9 October 2026 against the official sources listed below the table.

Passport	Entry	Stay	Conditions
Russia	Visa-free	90 days	Second group; under the 2019 visa waiver agreement — up to 90 days; the passport must be valid for 90 more days.Source: DGME visa rules
Belarus	Visa required	30 days	Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Ukraine	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules
Kazakhstan	Visa required	30 days	Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Uzbekistan	Visa required	30 days	Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Kyrgyzstan	Visa required	30 days	Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Tajikistan	Visa required	30 days	Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Turkmenistan	Visa required	30 days	Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Armenia	Visa required	30 days	Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Azerbaijan	Visa required	30 days	Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Georgia	Visa required	30 days	Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Moldova	Visa required	30 days	Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.Source: DGME visa rules
Israel	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules
EU countries	Visa-free	180 days	All 27 EU countries; up to 180 days — set by the officer; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given.Source: DGME visa rules
United Kingdom	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules
United States	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules
Canada	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules
Turkey	Visa-free	30 days	Up to 30 days, extendable to 90 in total; the passport must be valid for 90 more days.Source: DGME visa rules
Serbia	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules
Australia	Visa-free	180 days	Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).Source: DGME visa rules

RussiaVisa-free
90 days. Second group; under the 2019 visa waiver agreement — up to 90 days; the passport must be valid for 90 more days.
Source: DGME visa rules
BelarusVisa required
30 days. Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
UkraineVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules
KazakhstanVisa required
30 days. Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
UzbekistanVisa required
30 days. Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
KyrgyzstanVisa required
30 days. Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
TajikistanVisa required
30 days. Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
TurkmenistanVisa required
30 days. Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
ArmeniaVisa required
30 days. Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
AzerbaijanVisa required
30 days. Restricted visa approved by the Restricted Visa Commission; up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
GeorgiaVisa required
30 days. Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
MoldovaVisa required
30 days. Single-entry consular visa: up to 30 days, extendable to 90; visa-free with a multiple-entry US/Canadian visa or residence, EU residence or a multiple-entry Schengen visa.
Source: DGME visa rules
IsraelVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules
EU countriesVisa-free
180 days. All 27 EU countries; up to 180 days — set by the officer; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given.
Source: DGME visa rules
United KingdomVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules
United StatesVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules
CanadaVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules
TurkeyVisa-free
30 days. Up to 30 days, extendable to 90 in total; the passport must be valid for 90 more days.
Source: DGME visa rules
SerbiaVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules
AustraliaVisa-free
180 days. Up to 180 days — the officer sets the exact period; extensions only if fewer than 90 days were given (up to 90).
Source: DGME visa rules

Sources: Costa Rica's Migration Directorate (DGME) — general visa guidelines for non-residents, November 2025

What is checked at the border

A machine-readable or biometric passport in good condition. Required validity depends on the group: one day for the first, 90 days for the second, 180 days for visa countries.
Funds for the stay — at least $100 for each month or part of a month.
A return or onward ticket.
Purpose: tourism, leisure or business meetings without pay in Costa Rica.

How to extend your stay

An extension is possible only if you were given fewer than 90 days on entry: apply to the migration service before it expires and prove your funds; the fee is $100; 90 days in total at most.

Overstay penalties

By law each month of unlawful stay costs a $100 fine; without payment, entry is banned for three times the overstay. Collection of the fine has been postponed several times: check before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Israel, the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Türkiye, Serbia and Australia enter without a visa. Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova get a visa from a consulate before the trip.

How long can I stay in Costa Rica without a visa?

90 days for citizens of Russia. 180 days for citizens of Ukraine, Israel, the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Serbia and Australia. 30 days for citizens of Türkiye.

Can the stay be extended?

An extension is possible only if you were given fewer than 90 days on entry: apply to the migration service before it expires and prove your funds; the fee is $100; 90 days in total at most.

What happens if I overstay?

By law each month of unlawful stay costs a $100 fine; without payment, entry is banned for three times the overstay. Collection of the fine has been postponed several times: check before travelling.

What is checked on entry to Costa Rica?

A machine-readable or biometric passport in good condition. Required validity depends on the group: one day for the first, 90 days for the second, 180 days for visa countries. Funds for the stay — at least $100 for each month or part of a month. A return or onward ticket. Purpose: tourism, leisure or business meetings without pay in Costa Rica.

How can I stay in Costa Rica longer?

A visa-free stay does not give the right to live in the country. A longer stay needs a long-term visa or a residence permit: rentista residence — with a steady income, pensioner residence, investor residence, digital nomad — remote work for foreign employers or clients (Law 10008), residence for the spouse of a Costa Rican citizen, permanent residence — after 3 years of temporary residence or for first-degree relatives of citizens.

Sources

Checked on 9 October 2026. Entry rules change: check them on the consulate website before you travel.