Visas.

To enter Costa Rica Canadian Citizens do not need visa. However citizens of certain countries need a visa to enter our country. Access to entry requirements page please click here.

There are different types of Visas:

Tourist Visa (B1):

This type of visa is approved and issued by the Consul of Costa Rica after reviewing the specific request. It takes up to three working days to process.

Transit Visa (B6):

Citizens of certain countries need a visa to enter Costa Rica even if they are in transit. Please contact ask to verify if you need this visa.

Business Visa (B3/B4, for travel agents and commercial delegates):

This visa allows the foreigner to perform commercial or business activities in the country. Normally, these activities are only allowed to permanent residents and some temporary residents. This visa is applicable even for citizens of countries that don’t require visa to enter the country.

Multiple Entry Visa:

This visa is granted to foreigners who may require traveling frequently to Costa Rica, such as travel agents, business personnel or air/ship crewmembers.

Consulted Visa:

This visa is approved only by Immigration Costa Rica and is required by citizens of a special category list of countries. It may take up to three weeks to process. The visa application does not guarantee approval.
Contact us if you have any question or need to verify what kind of visa you require.

 

Tourist Visa (B1) | Transit Visa (B6) | Business Visa (B3/B4) | Multiple Entry Visa | Consulted Visa |

 

 

Tourist visa requirements:

• The request must be presented at the Consulate of Costa Rica located in the country of origin or residence.


• Canadian residents should submit the application by mail or personally at the nearest Consulate of Costa Rica (see contact us info for a list of Consulates in Canada) including the following documentation:

1. Application form enclosed below.
2. One passport size picture.
3. Copy of identification pages from passport. The passport must be valid for more than six months upon the visa application.
4. Copy of Canadian Landed Immigrant status.
5. Copy of tentative itinerary of your trip.
6. Letter from employer stating your current work status, time employed and salary.
7. Supporting letters from your organization or educational institution explaining purposes and length of the trip (If applicable).
8. If the applicant is related to a Costa Rican citizen, such as husband/wife, son/daughter should submit the appropriate document that demonstrates the relationship.
9. Once your request has been received and reviewed, a consular agent will contact you to discuss your specific case and co-ordinate the issuance of the visa if approved. Usually, we would ask you to courier the passport to our office including a pre-paid and self addressed envelope to return it. The Consul may ask for a personal interview before the issuance. Please do not send your passport until we confirm the approval of the visa.
10. After issuance, the visa can be used within 30 days, and the length of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer at your entrance.
11. Consular fees: US$20 payable by deposit to the account No. 0005-4608-5200 Bank of Montreal.
    

• Open Application Form here (you need Microsoft Word)

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Transit Visa Requirements:

• Citizens of certain countries need a visa to enter Costa Rica even if they are in transit. Please contact us to verify if you need this visa.


• Applicants should submit the application by mail or personally at the nearest Consulate of Costa Rica (see contact us info for a list of Consulates in Canada) including the following documentation:
  
  
  1. Fill out the application form enclosed.
  2. One passport size picture.
  3. Copy of identification pages from passport. The passport must be valid for more than six months upon the visa application.
  4. Copy of tentative itinerary of your trip (proof of the continuation of the trip to your final destination).
  5. Once your request has been received and reviewed, a consular agent will contact you to discuss your specific request and co-ordinate the issuance of the visa if approved. Usually, we would ask you to courier the passport to our office including a pre-paid and self addressed envelope for it to be returned. The process will take up to four working days. Please do not send your passport until we confirm the approval of the visa.
  6. After issuance, the visa can be used within 30 days, and the length of stay will be 12 hours maximum at the port of entrance.
  7. Consular fees: US$20 payable by deposit to the account No. 0005-4608-5200 Bank of Montreal.

• Open Application Form here (you need Microsoft Word)

 

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Business Visa Requirements.

• This visa is used by foreign travel agents and commercial delegates to be allowed to perform commercial or business activities within the country. Normally, these commercial activities are only permitted to permanent residents and some temporary resident cases. The visa is applicable even for citizens of countries that don’t require visa to enter Costa Rica.


• Applicants should submit the application by mail or personally at the nearest Consulate of Costa Rica in the country of origin or permanent residence. The application must be submitted at least ten days prior to the trip. We recommend considering 15 days for the total process prior to the trip.
  
  
  1. Fill out the application form enclosed.
  2. One passport size picture.
  3. Copy of identification pages from passport. The passport must be valid for more than six months upon submission of visa application.
  4. Copy of tentative itinerary of your trip and indication of place of stay (hotel information).
  5. The applicant must demonstrate his/her status of travel agent or commercial delegate with any of the following information:

a) A letter from the company stating that the applicant is currently working for them, position, references and explanation on purpose of the trip to Costa Rica, name of contact company in Costa Rica, phone number and address.
b) If the trip is with the purpose of doing any negotiation or investment, it is necessary to inform Immigration of the intent to do any Feasibility or market study, as well as any contact company or person for possible negotiations or investments in Costa Rica
c) If there is a Costa Rican company to be contacted, it is necessary to include a letter of invitation from that company or the company information as mentioned in point a).

6.  In order to inform Immigration about the economic support to the applicant’s trip, it is necessary to include one of the following options:

a) Another letter from the company stating that the company is responsible for the expenses of the applicant’s trip to Costa Rica.
b) Travel checks under the name of the applicant.
c) Any Credit cards of the applicant and last statement.
d) Bank statements of the last three months of the applicant.

7.  If not Canadian citizen, include a copy of the landed immigrant status.

8.  Once your request is received and reviewed, a consular agent will contact you to discuss your specific request and coordinate the issuance of the visa. Usually, we would ask you to courier the passport to our office including a pre-paid and self addressed envelope to return it. Please do not send your passport until we confirm the approval of the visa.

•  The Consulate may also ask you to pay a courier to transfer the request from our office to Immigration Costa Rica.

9.   After issuance, the visa can be used within 30 days, and the length of stay will be approved by an immigration officer at port of entrance.

10.  Consular fees: US$20 payable by deposit to the account No. 0005-4608-5200 Bank of Montreal.

• Open Application Form here (you need Microsoft Word)

 

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Multiple Entry Visa Requirements.

This type of visa is granted only to foreigners who may be required to travel frequently to Costa Rica, such as travel agents, business personnel or air/ship crewmembers.

Multiple entry visas are exclusively granted by Immigration Costa Rica; therefore, the approval of the visa is not guaranteed. All applications must be presented personally or by mail before the nearest Consulate of Costa Rica abroad, who will review and file the request to the Immigration Office in San Jose. This process may take up to three weeks.

•  Documentation:

1. Fill out the application form enclosed.
2. Certified copies of the applicant’s passport.
3. A supporting letter from the company of the employee stating the following:

a) Position and references of the applicant.
b) Reasons for the frequent visits to Costa Rica.
c) Estimate of possible entries planned yearly to Costa Rica.
d) Information on company (s) to be contacted in Costa Rica (for business personnel only).

4.  Supporting documents such as bank statements, any credit card statement, travel cheques, etc. demonstrating economic resources for the applicant’s trips to Costa Rica. In the case a company or organization is economically supporting the applicant’s trips, please include another letter from the company explaining that point.

5.  Proof of status in Canada.

6   After your application has been received and reviewed, a consular agent will contact you to co-ordinate the issuance of the visa. Usually, we would ask you to courier the application from our Office to Immigration Costa Rica and then, courier the passport to our office including a pre-paid and self addressed envelope to be returned it. Please do not send your passport until we confirm the approval of the visa. * The Consulate may also ask you to pay a courier to transfer the request from our office to Immigration Costa Rica.

• Open Application Form here (you need Microsoft Word)

 

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Consulted (restricted) Visa Requirements:

• This visa is approved only by Immigration Costa Rica and is required by citizens of a certain categorized list of countries. All applications must be presented personally or by mail before the nearest Consulate of Costa Rica abroad, who will review and file the request to the Immigration Office in San Jose. The process may take up to 8 weeks.

• Rquirements

1. Fill out application form enclosed including one passport size picture.
2. Certified copies of the applicant’s passport.
3. Explanatory letter stating the purpose of the trip to Costa Rica. If the trip has the objective of doing business, please explain the type of business and companies to be contacted
4. Copy of identification pages from passport. The passport must be valid for more than six months upon submission of application.
5. Copy of Canadian Landed Immigrant or current status in Canada.
6. Copy of tentative itinerary of your trip.
7. Letter from employer stating your current work status, time employed and salary. When traveling as commercial delegate, the supporting letter from your employer is very important.
8. Demonstrate economic support to the applicant’s trip, including one of the following options:
   
   a) Another letter from the company stating that the company is responsible for the expenses of the applicant’s trip to Costa Rica.
   b) Travel cheques under the name of the applicant.
   c) Any Credit cards of the applicant and last statement.
   d) Bank statements of the last three months of the applicant.
   
9. Supporting letters from your organization or educational institution explaining purposes and length of the trip (If applicable).
10. If the applicant is related to a Costa Rican citizen, such as husband/wife, son/daughter the appropriate documentation that demonstrates the relationship should be submitted.
11. If visa is approved, Immigration Costa Rica could request a guarantee deposit which will be returned after departure.
12. Once your request has been received and reviewed, a consular agent will contact you to discuss your specific case and co-ordinate the issuance of the visa if approved. Usually, we would ask you to courier the passport to our office including a pre-paid and self addressed envelope to return it. Please do not send your passport until we confirm the approval of the visa.
    
    * The Consulate may also ask you to pay a courier to transfer the request from our office to Immigration Costa Rica.


13. After issuance, the visa can be used within 30 days, and the length of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer at your entrance.

 

• Open Application Form here (you need Microsoft Word)

 

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