🇨🇷 Central America · Remote-work visa
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Estancia (Digital Nomad) Visa
Costa Rica’s “Estancia” digital nomad visa formalised remote-work stays in this famously laid-back, biodiverse country. A standout benefit: foreign income is tax-exempt, and you can import some equipment duty-free.
Income requirement
$3,000/month for an individual, or $4,000/month if you bring dependants, over the last 12 months.
How long it lasts
1 year, renewable for a second year if you’ve spent 80+ days in the country.
Processing time
Typically a few weeks to a couple of months.
Cost
A one-time application fee of about $100 (paid to Banco de Costa Rica).
Almost every nomad visa needs health insurance
Most applications require proof of valid medical cover for your whole stay. Nomad-friendly travel insurance is the simplest way to meet it.
Get nomad travel insuranceCosta Rica digital nomad visa requirements
- Proof of stable foreign income of $3,000/month ($4,000 with family) over 12 months
- Income from foreign employers or clients
- Health insurance covering your stay
- A valid passport and application forms
- Clean documentation (bank statements or certified letters)
How to get a digital nomad visa in Costa Rica
- 1Gather 12 months of bank statements showing $3,000+/month from abroad
- 2Arrange health insurance valid in Costa Rica
- 3Submit the application and $100 fee to Costa Rican immigration (often via a lawyer/service)
- 4Once approved, complete in-country registration and enjoy tax-free foreign income
Cost
A one-time application fee of about $100 (paid to Banco de Costa Rica).
Money proof
$3,000/month for an individual, or $4,000/month if you bring dependants, over the last 12 months.
Tax — read before you commit
Foreign-sourced income is explicitly exempt from Costa Rican income tax under this visa — a major advantage for remote earners.
Set up for working remotely in Costa Rica
Two things every nomad sorts on day one — data the moment you land, and a VPN for café and coworking WiFi.
Apply at the official source: Costa Rica — Immigration (migracion.go.cr)
Scouting Costa Rica as a base? Plan a trip first — free
Wavvia builds a day-by-day plan to test-drive Costa Rica before you commit — real neighbourhoods, coworking-friendly areas and safety built in.
Plan my trip — freeCosta Rica digital nomad visa — FAQs
What is the income requirement for Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa?
$3,000 a month for an individual, or $4,000 a month if you bring dependants, shown across 12 months of bank statements from foreign sources.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Costa Rica?
No — foreign-sourced income is explicitly exempt from Costa Rican income tax under the Estancia digital nomad visa.
How long is Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa valid?
One year, renewable for a second year provided you’ve spent at least 80 days in the country during the first.
How much does Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa cost?
A one-time application fee of about $100, paid via Banco de Costa Rica.
Compare other digital nomad visas
Last checked June 2026. Visa rules and income thresholds change often — many are tied to local wages and adjust yearly. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice; always confirm the current requirements at the official source above before applying or booking. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.