Costa Rica — Residency: Digital Nomad Visa

Why this matters

This visa lets remote workers and freelancers live in Costa Rica legally without qualifying for a traditional residency category, but it does not itself lead to permanent residency or citizenship — applicants planning to stay long-term should understand it is a renewable temporary stay, not a residency track.

Key facts

• Official name: 'Estancia para Trabajador y Prestador Remoto de Servicios' (Remote Worker and Service Provider Stay), created by Ley 9996 and regulated by DGME.
• Minimum income requirement: at least $3,000 USD/month for an individual applicant, or $4,000 USD/month if including dependents, from sources outside Costa Rica.
• Applicants must show 12 months of bank statements plus a signed affidavit (or bank letter) confirming the income.
• Long-term health insurance covering the stay in Costa Rica is required; ordinary travel insurance is not accepted.
• Grants stay for up to 12 months, renewable once for another 12 months (total up to 2 years); it is a stay/visa category, not a residency category, and does not by itself lead to permanent residency.

Steps

1. Gather required documents — Collect a valid passport, proof of foreign-sourced income meeting the $3,000/$4,000 monthly threshold (bank statements plus signed affidavit), proof of long-term health insurance valid in Costa Rica, and a completed DGME application form.
2. Apply online or in person — Submit the application digitally through the official Tramite Ya platform (tramiteya.go.cr/dgme) or in person at a DGME office by first booking an appointment through the DGME web appointment portal and selecting 'Estancia Nómadas Digitales'.
3. Pay the government fees — Pay the $100 government fee (per Article 256 of the General Migration and Foreigners Law) to Banco de Costa Rica, plus an accreditation/ID card fee (commonly cited around $90) once the application is approved.

Costs

• Government application fee: $100 USD (or colón equivalent at BCCR exchange rate), paid per Article 256 of the General Migration Law
• Accreditation / ID card fee: approx. $90 USD, paid upon approval

Timelines

• Visa duration: Up to 12 months, renewable once for another 12 months
• Processing time: Varies by case load and completeness of documentation; third-party guides report figures ranging from a few weeks to several months, so applicants should confirm current wait times directly with DGME rather than rely on a fixed estimate

Required documents

• Valid passport
• Proof of foreign-sourced income ($3,000/month individual or $4,000/month with dependents) — 12 months of bank statements plus signed affidavit
• Long-term health insurance valid in Costa Rica (travel insurance not accepted)
• Completed DGME application form
• Proof of payment of the $100 government fee

Common mistakes

• Assuming the digital nomad visa is a path to permanent residency — it is a renewable temporary stay category, not a residency category
• Submitting ordinary travel insurance instead of a long-term health insurance policy
• Underestimating the documentation needed to prove foreign-sourced income (bank statements alone are typically not enough without the signed affidavit)