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 |

 

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 60 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.

• Open Application Form here (you need Microsoft Word)

 

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