Costa RicaDigital nomad visa

Remote worker visa in Costa Rica

A special status for foreign nationals working remotely for clients outside the country. The programme allows a stay permit of up to two years on proof of steady income from abroad and health insurance. Family members may be included in the application. The income is not subject to local personal income tax, and customs concessions on work equipment are also available.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (Costa Rica) — Nómadas Digitales

Routes to remote worker status

Depending on your situation, choose the appropriate way to file. Each route involves the general requirements plus conditions specific to your case.

Single applicant

Evidence income of at least $3,000 a month from abroad
File the application online through the Tramite Ya platform or in person
Receive approval within 15 calendar days

Applicant with family

Evidence combined income of at least $4,000 a month for the whole family
File separate applications for each family member with documents evidencing the relationship
Arrange health insurance for every family member

Renewal of the status

Evidence at least 180 days spent in the country over the previous year
Provide updated evidence of income and valid insurance
Pay the renewal charge and receive the new permit

When the programme will not suit

You want to work for clients or employers in Costa Rica itself

Apply for a work visa through investment or another type of employment in the country

Your income is unstable or below the required minimum

Consider a 90-day tourist visa (renewable in neighbouring countries) or other types of permit

You cannot afford health insurance with a minimum of $50,000 of cover

Choose alternative destinations for work or residence where the insurance requirements are lower

What it costs

Government fee for the permitPayment at Banco de Costa Rica	100 USD
Immigration documentation chargeCharged when the application is processed	90 USD
Charge for renewal into the second yearCharged only if you renew the status into a second year	90 USD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “Charge for renewal into the second year” branch replaces the “Immigration documentation charge” line — 190 USD. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	190 USD

Paid separately

Bank charges — The sending bank (abroad) and Banco de Costa Rica may levy charges of their own — check these separately
Translation costs — Translation of documents into Spanish is paid separately; it is not part of the government fee

Documents to gather

All documents issued in a language other than Spanish must be translated by an official translator registered with Costa Rica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or certified by a notary.

Passport (a copy of the biographical page and the page with the entry stamp for Costa Rica)
The completed application form (available on the Tramite Ya platform or at Dirección General de Migración offices)
Bank statements for the past 12 months evidencing monthly income of at least $3,000 (or $4,000 for a family)
Proof of payment of the $100 government fee
Health insurance valid for the whole period of stay in the country (minimum $50,000 of cover)
For family members: a marriage or civil union certificate (issued in the past 6 months), a birth certificate (for children under 25), a medical report (for people with a disability), a written confirmation of living together (for elderly relatives)

How the process runs

Obtaining the permit to work remotely in Costa Rica involves several stages of filing documents and awaiting approval.

1
Registering and preparing the documents
5–10 days
Create an account on the Tramite Ya platform (tramiteya.go.cr/dgme) or prepare the documents to file in person at a Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería office. Gather every required document, including Spanish translations, bank statements and proof of health insurance.
2
Filing the application
1 day
Submit the application online through Tramite Ya or lodge the documents in person at your nearest immigration office. The government fee ($100) must be paid into the Banco de Costa Rica account as directed on the application form.
3
Security checks
7–10 days
The immigration directorate runs criminal and police record checks through national and international databases. This runs in parallel with the review of the documents.
4
Consideration of the application and notice of approval
15 calendar days
The Directorate for Foreign Nationals notifies you in writing of approval or refusal. Once approved, you have three months to arrive in the country and complete the migratory document.
5
Obtaining the migratory document and activating the status
up to 3 months
Arrive in Costa Rica and complete the formalities at the immigration office. Receive the immigration document (TIE), which evidences your remote worker status for one year.

Who you can bring with you

Family members may be included in the application and obtain status together with the principal applicant. Each must meet certain conditions and provide documents of their own.

Spouse or civil union partner

A marriage certificate or civil union certificate issued within the past 6 months; their own health insurance ($50,000+); the family's income must be at least $4,000 a month for everyone together

Children

Children under 25 (or of any age if they have a disability): a birth certificate; their own health insurance ($50,000+); the family's income must be at least $4,000 a month for everyone together

Elderly relatives

Elderly relatives living with the principal applicant: a written confirmation (affidavit) of the family relationship or of a shared address; their own health insurance ($50,000+); the family's income must be at least $4,000 a month for everyone together

Renewal and the grace period

To renew the permit into a second year you must evidence that you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year. You then provide updated evidence of income (bank statements), valid health insurance and pay the renewal charge ($90). The renewal is considered within a comparable period. The maximum stay under this status is two years (one year initially plus one year on renewal).

Frequently asked questions about Remote worker visa

What minimum income is required to apply?

A single applicant needs at least $3,000 a month received from sources outside Costa Rica. If you apply with family members (spouse, children, elderly relatives), the required income rises to $4,000 a month for the whole family.

Can I work for clients in Costa Rica with remote worker status?

No. The law specifically prohibits working for local clients or Costa Rican companies. All your clients and sources of income must be located outside Costa Rica. Breaching this condition may lead to the status being cancelled.

Do I need health insurance even if I already have insurance abroad?

Yes. The law requires you to hold health insurance valid in Costa Rica with minimum cover of $50,000 for the whole period of your stay. It must be a separate policy specifically for Costa Rica; foreign insurance is not usually recognised.

How long does the application take and what happens after approval?

The Directorate for Foreign Nationals notifies you in writing within 15 calendar days of the application being filed. Once approved, you have three months to arrive in Costa Rica and complete the migratory document (TIE) at the local immigration office.

What taxes must I pay when working remotely from Costa Rica?

Costa Rica operates a territorial tax system. If all your income comes from abroad, you pay no Costa Rican income tax on it. VAT (13%) does, however, apply to purchases of goods and services inside Costa Rica. Note that US citizens remain fully liable for US federal taxes wherever they are.

Can I open a bank account in Costa Rica with remote worker status?

Yes. One of the main advantages of this status is the ability to open a local bank account in Costa Rica. That makes it easier to receive payments, pay local bills and manage your finances in the country.

Other ways to move to Costa Rica

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Costa Rica.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.