Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Costa Rica's nomad visa lets foreign remote workers earning ≥$3,000/month ($4,000 with family) live there tax-free on that foreign income for one year, renewable once.
Both salaried employees of foreign companies and self-employed providers billing foreign clients qualify; no Costa Rican-source income is permitted. Headline perks: income-tax exemption on foreign earnings and duty-free import of work gear. Caps at two years, not a route to permanent residency. [Source: Costa Rica Immigration (DGME) / Ley 10008 ↗]
Updated: Core rules unchanged since the 2022 regulations.
Key requirements
- Stable foreign income ≥$3,000/month ($4,000 with family), 12 months of statements
- Medical insurance for the full stay
- Foreign-source income only (no local employer)
- Apply via the DGME 'Trámite YA' platform
Before you apply
Costa Rica requires private health insurance for the application. A nomad policy (like SafetyWing or Genki) meets the requirement and covers you abroad.
Compare nomad insurance →Costa Rica nomad visa FAQ
How much income do you need for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
You need about $3,000/month ($4,000 with family), shown from income earned outside Costa Rica.
Who can apply for the Costa Rica nomad visa?
Open to all nationalities. It's for people working remotely (employed, freelance, business) for clients or employers outside Costa Rica. Family can be included (Including family raises the income floor to $4,000/month).
How long is the Costa Rica nomad visa valid?
It's granted for 12 months, renewable up to 2 years total. Processing typically takes ~15 days official (~4–8 weeks end-to-end).
Do you pay tax in Costa Rica as a digital nomad?
Total exemption from Costa Rican income tax on foreign-source earnings, plus duty-free import of work equipment.
Do you need health insurance for the Costa Rica nomad visa?
Yes. Costa Rica requires private health insurance covering your stay. Nomad policies like SafetyWing or Genki are built for this.
Compare other countries
Visa rules and income thresholds change and can vary by consulate. Confirm the current requirements with Costa Rica Immigration (DGME) / Ley 10008 before applying. This page is general information, not legal advice.