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Costa Rica Visa-free entry (up to 180 days): Requirements, Fees, Documents & Application Guide

Tourist Visa
Costa Rica

Assistance Fee

S$ 65 .00
S$100 35% OFF

+ Government fee (paid to authorities)

Free (exempt) · Consular tourist visa: US$32

See official fee details
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Costa Rica Visa-free entry (up to 180 days) at a glance

Government visa fee
Free
HolidaySG service fee
S$65.00
Processing time
On arrival
Maximum stay
30–180 days by group
Visa required?
Not applicable for exempt nationals.
Arrival card
None
Application support from a licensed Singapore travel agency (TA04014). Official government fees are paid to the authorities and are separate from our service fee.

Do you need a visa to 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 16 Aug 2026 · HolidaySG — licensed Singapore travel agency (TA04014).

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Official Costa Rica visa options

Verified from government sources · 19 Aug 2026
Visa on arrival: No Online application: No

Visa-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.

HolidaySG assistance fee: S$65 S$100 per applicant — official government fees above are separate. Apply now

Who can apply

Not applicable for exempt nationals.

Costa Rica visa requirements by nationality

Top 30 passports
Passport Requirement Max stay Need help?
🇸🇬Singapore Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇲🇾Malaysia Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇮🇳India Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇮🇩Indonesia Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇵🇭Philippines Visa required 30 days Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇨🇳China Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇻🇳Vietnam Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇹🇭Thailand Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇯🇵Japan Visa required 180 days Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇰🇷South Korea Visa required 180 days Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇦🇺Australia Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇬🇧United Kingdom Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇺🇸United States Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇨🇦Canada Visa required 180 days Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇩🇪Germany Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇫🇷France Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇦🇪UAE Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇵🇰Pakistan Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇧🇩Bangladesh Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇱🇰Sri Lanka Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇭🇰Hong Kong Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇹🇼Taiwan Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇳🇿New Zealand Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇧🇷Brazil Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇷🇺Russia Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇿🇦South Africa Visa-free (up to 180 days) 180 days No visa needed
🇳🇬Nigeria Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇪🇬Egypt Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇲🇲Myanmar Visa required — Apply with HolidaySG · S$65

General travel information from the Passport Index dataset; rules can depend on passport type, residence and purpose. Not your nationality? Use the checker or confirm with the official source above.

Costa Rica visa — frequently asked questions

No visa is needed — Singaporeans can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days.
Yes — Indians need a visa for Costa Rica, obtained before travel through the embassy/consulate or an approved channel. HolidaySG assists for a flat S$65.
No visa is needed — Malaysians can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 30 days.
Yes — Filipinos need a visa for Costa Rica, obtained before travel through the embassy/consulate or an approved channel. HolidaySG assists for a flat S$65.
Yes — Chinese nationals need a visa for Costa Rica, obtained before travel through the embassy/consulate or an approved channel. HolidaySG assists for a flat S$65.
The official government fee for the Consular tourist visa is US$32 (approx.; some categories US$52). HolidaySG's assistance fee is a separate flat S$65 per applicant (usually S$100).
Consular tourist visa: 2–4 weeks. Apply well before your travel date; we track your application until the outcome.
Typically: 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. Exact requirements depend on your nationality — we send a personalised checklist.
Yes. A valid multiple-entry US visa (or Canada, Schengen, Japan or South Korea visa or residence) exempts an Indian passport holder from the Costa Rican visa, allowing a stay of up to 90 days, not exceeding the remaining validity of that foreign visa.
Yes. Costa Rica's rules require the qualifying foreign visa to be multiple-entry and valid on the day of entry. A single-entry or expired visa does not grant the exemption.
They must apply for a consular visa at a Costa Rican Consulate with passport, proof of funds, employment, return ticket and accommodation. Processing takes roughly 30 calendar days; there is no visa on arrival and no e-visa.
No. Costa Rica does not have an electronic visa or a visa-on-arrival scheme for visa-required nationals. Eligible travellers either enter visa-free (own nationality or via a qualifying foreign visa) or obtain a consular visa in advance.
No. Singapore is a first-group (visa-exempt) nationality and can enter Costa Rica visa-free for tourism, typically for up to 90 days (extendable) without any visa or authorization.
Visa-exempt entrants (including Singaporeans and those using a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa) are generally admitted for up to 90 days at the officer's discretion; consular-visa holders are typically granted 30 days, extendable up to 90.
For third- and fourth-group nationals such as Indians, the passport must be valid for at least 180 days, with blank pages. Always confirm current requirements before travel.

Before you travel to Costa Rica

Reviews

Why travellers choose HolidaySG

Singapore-licensed travel agency (TA04014) · Document review before submission · Application status support · Government fees shown separately.

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