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  • Home
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  •  /  Country Overviews
  •  /  Costa Rica
  • Country Overviews

Costa Rica

At a Glance

Capital San José
Language Spanish
Population 5,094,000
GDP Total $60.1 billion
GDP Per Capita $12,026.50
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

When traveling to Costa Rica, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

 

Traveling for Business

 

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Costa Rica, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • » Attend business meetings
  • » Visit a current project site for informational purposes
  • » Conduct fact-finding missions
  • » Attend seminars and administrative training as a participant or instructor

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

Nationals of Canada, the United States, and many European and Latin American countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Costa Rica. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver, you must obtain a Consular or Restricted Entry Visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate prior to travel.

Additionally, select nationals who would otherwise be required to obtain a visa may be eligible for a visa waiver if they hold a multiple-entry visa from Canada or the United States, or hold legal residence in Canada, the European Union, or the United States. However, please check with your immigration counsel regarding specific visa waiver eligibility requirements and for the permitted period of stay on a visa waiver.

 

Working in Costa Rica

 

What types of activities require work authorization?

As a business visitor, the activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Costa Rican law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Costa Rica, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • » Hands-on technical work
  • » Repairs and maintenance
  • » Negotiations
  • » Auditing

 

If I am traveling to Costa Rica for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Costa Rica. The most common forms of work authorization for Costa Rica are:

  • » Estancia Permit (short-term work authorization)
  • » Temporary Residence Permit (long-term work authorization)

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no work authorization exemptions based on nationality or industry in Costa Rica.

 

What else should I know?

 

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.


News and Events

3 Feb 22

COVID-19: Validity of Immigration Identity Documents extended

Costa Rica COVID-19

12 Aug 21

‘Digital Nomad’ visa introduced

Costa Rica

13 Jul 21

Temporary residence pathway incentivized for investors

Costa Rica

27 Oct 20

Immigration requests can now be submitted online on...

Costa Rica

22 Oct 20

COVID-19: Tourists from all U.S. states allowed entry...

Costa Rica COVID-19

30 Sep 20

COVID-19: Immigration offices to remain closed, some documents...

Costa Rica COVID-19

8 Sep 20

COVID-19: Commercial flights from some U.S. states announced

Costa Rica COVID-19

13 Aug 20

COVID-19: Tourists from select countries now allowed entry

Costa Rica COVID-19

15 Jul 20

COVID-19: Border closure extended

Costa Rica COVID-19

1 Jun 20

COVID-19: Entry restrictions extended

Costa Rica COVID-19

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At a Glance

Capital San José
Language Spanish
Population 5,094,000
GDP Total $60.1 billion
GDP Per Capita $12,026.50

Related News

  • COVID-19: Validity of Immigration Identity Documents extended

    COSTA RICA   3 Feb 22

  • ‘Digital Nomad’ visa introduced

    COSTA RICA   12 Aug 21

  • Temporary residence pathway incentivized for investors

    COSTA RICA   13 Jul 21

  • Immigration requests can now be submitted online on...

    COSTA RICA   27 Oct 20

  • COVID-19: Tourists from all U.S. states allowed entry...

    COSTA RICA   22 Oct 20

  • COVID-19: Immigration offices to remain closed, some documents...

    COSTA RICA   30 Sep 20

  • COVID-19: Commercial flights from some U.S. states announced

    COSTA RICA   8 Sep 20

  • COVID-19: Tourists from select countries now allowed entry

    COSTA RICA   13 Aug 20

  • COVID-19: Border closure extended

    COSTA RICA   15 Jul 20

  • COVID-19: Entry restrictions extended

    COSTA RICA   1 Jun 20

  • COVID-19: Travel restrictions extended, immigration offices closed

    COSTA RICA   23 Apr 20

  • COVID-19: New foreign travel restrictions issued

    COSTA RICA   1 Apr 20

  • Inbound travel halted, immigration offices limit services

    COSTA RICA   20 Mar 20

  • New exemptions allow some foreign nationals to start...

    COSTA RICA   29 Oct 19

  • Increased security deposit fees announced

    COSTA RICA   3 Oct 19

  • Visa and permit application requirements eased for Venezuelan...

    COSTA RICA   26 Jun 19

  • Companies experiencing processing delays, higher scrutiny of work...

    COSTA RICA   17 May 19

  • Same-sex marriage to be recognized for immigration purposes

    COSTA RICA   11 Jan 19

  • Immigration offices to close for holidays

    COSTA RICA   6 Dec 18

  • New visa rules benefit Colombians, Nicaraguans, U.S. visa...

    COSTA RICA   21 Nov 18

  • Immigration Department to resume services following closure, strike

    COSTA RICA   10 Sep 18

  • Immigration Department closed until further notice

    COSTA RICA   4 Sep 18

  • Reminder: Additional steps required to finalize residency

    COSTA RICA   7 Aug 18

  • Fines to be imposed for visa overstays

    COSTA RICA   23 Mar 18

  • Immigration offices to close for 3 weeks

    COSTA RICA   7 Dec 17

  • New procedures set for dependent social security cards

    COSTA RICA   15 Sep 17

  • Costa Rica moves to streamline process for obtaining...

    COSTA RICA   10 Jul 17

  • New visa rules to take effect Dec. 14

    COSTA RICA   9 Dec 16

  • Work permit approvals experiencing delays

    COSTA RICA   11 Nov 16

  • Costa Rica to require appointment for immigration filings

    COSTA RICA   4 May 15

  • Costa Rica simplifies temporary residence process

    COSTA RICA   24 Nov 14

  • FBI Clearance Now Required for Americans Staying Longer...

    COSTA RICA   16 Oct 13

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