Costa Rica Visa Requirements, Fees & Application Guide
Many nationalities enter Costa Rica visa-free — check your passport in seconds, or let us confirm it.
Costa Rica visa at a glance
- Government visa fee
- Free
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Validity
- Per entry
- Maximum stay
- 30–180 days by group
- Visa required?
- Not applicable for exempt nationals.
Do you need a visa for Costa Rica?
Travellers from Group 1 (180 days): Singapore, Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada, UK, all EU, Australia, NZ, UAE, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile etc. Malaysia, Türkiye, Russia, South Africa: 30–90 days. Also holders of valid US/Canada/Schengen/Japan/Korea visas (≥1 day validity) — up to 30 days. India, China, Vietnam, Philippines etc.: consular visa unless holding a qualifying visa. can generally enter Costa Rica without a visa. Not applicable for exempt nationals.
Who does NOT need a visa
Passport holders from Group 1 (180 days): Singapore, Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada, UK, all EU, Australia, NZ, UAE, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile etc. Malaysia, Türkiye, Russia, South Africa: 30–90 days. Also holders of valid US/Canada/Schengen/Japan/Korea visas (≥1 day validity) — up to 30 days. India, China, Vietnam, Philippines etc.: consular visa unless holding a qualifying visa. do not require a visa for Costa Rica for eligible short visits. Always confirm your passport type and length of stay against the official source before travelling.
Reviewed against official government sources (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería Costa Rica) · Last verified 19 August 2026 · HolidaySG — licensed Singapore travel agency (TA04014).
Official Costa Rica visa options
Verified from government sources · 19 Aug 2026Visa-free entry (up to 180 days)
Official fee: Free- Validity
- Per entry
- Max stay
- 30–180 days by group
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Where to apply
- No application
Who needs it: Not applicable for exempt nationals.
Visa-free: Group 1 (180 days): Singapore, Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada, UK, all EU, Australia, NZ, UAE, Israel, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile etc. Malaysia, Türkiye, Russia, South Africa: 30–90 days. Also holders of valid US/Canada/Schengen/Japan/Korea visas (≥1 day validity) — up to 30 days. India, China, Vietnam, Philippines etc.: consular visa unless holding a qualifying visa.
Required documents
- Passport valid ≥1 day beyond stay (6 months recommended)
- Return/onward ticket (strictly checked)
- Proof of funds US$100/month
- Yellow fever certificate if from endemic country
Arrival card: None
Onward ticket enforced by airlines.
Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería Costa Rica · verified 16 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Consular tourist visa
Official fee: US$32 (approx.; some categories US$52)- Validity
- 60 days to enter
- Max stay
- Up to 30 days (extendable)
- Processing time
- 2–4 weeks
- Where to apply
- Costa Rican consulate covering your residence (Singapore: honorary consulate / consulate in Jakarta or New Delhi)
Who needs it: India, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, most of Africa & Middle East — unless holding a valid US/Canada/Schengen/Japan/Korea visa.
Required documents
- Passport valid ≥6 months with blank pages
- Recent passport photo (white background)
- Confirmed return/onward flight
- Accommodation booking
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
- Visa application form
- Photo
- Employment / income proof
- Detailed itinerary
Arrival card: None
A valid US visa is the easiest route for Indians.
Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería Costa Rica · verified 16 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Visa exemption via valid US / Canada / Schengen / Japan / South Korea multiple-entry visa or residence
Official fee: Free (no Costa Rica visa required)- Validity
- Tied to the underlying foreign visa/residence validity (must be valid on the day of entry)
- Max stay
- 90 days
- Time to verify
- At check-in / on arrival
- Time to approval
- On arrival
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Where to apply
- https://migracion.go.cr/visas/
Who needs it: Third- and fourth-group nationals (including Indian passport holders) who hold a valid MULTIPLE-ENTRY visa or permanent residence of the USA, Canada, a Schengen country, Japan or South Korea.
Required documents
- Passport valid at least 180 days (per third/fourth group rules)
- Valid multiple-entry US / Canada / Schengen / Japan / South Korea visa or residence card
- Onward/return ticket
- Proof of funds and accommodation (as requested at port of entry)
Source: Official government source · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Consular Visa (Visa Consular) - third-group nationality
- Validity
- Entry must be made within 60 days of the visa being stamped
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Time to verify
- At consular submission
- Time to approval
- Approximately 30 calendar days
- Processing time
- Approximately 30 calendar days
- Where to apply
- https://migracion.go.cr/visas/
Who needs it: Indian nationals (a third-group nationality) who do NOT hold a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen/Japan/South Korea multiple-entry visa or residence.
Required documents
- Passport valid at least 180 days with 2 blank pages
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport photos
- Proof of economic solvency (bank statements)
- Return/onward air ticket
- Hotel reservation / itinerary
- Proof of employment or ties to home country
Source: Official government source · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.
Costa Rica visa — frequently asked questions
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