Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) (Estancia para trabajadores remotos (Ley 10008)) · Americas

Costa Rica offers the Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) for remote workers and digital nomads. The minimum income requirement is USD 3,000/month (individual); USD 4,000/month (with family), the visa is valid for 12 months (yes, once for +12 months (2 years max); renewal requires proven physical presence in cr during year 1), and the government fee is USD 100 application; renewal ~USD 90. Territorial system + Ley 10008 grants total income-tax exemption on foreign earnings and import-duty exemption on work equipment. Yes (spouse, children under 25, dependent seniors); uses the flat USD 4,000/mo threshold. These figures are a dated snapshot — verify on the official government source before applying.

Source: Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (migracion.go.cr). Data as of June 2026.

Costa Rica nomad visa at a glance

Item	Costa Rica
Minimum income	USD 3,000/month (individual); USD 4,000/month (with family)
Visa duration	12 months
Renewable	Yes, once for +12 months (2 years max); renewal requires proven physical presence in CR during year 1
Government fee	USD 100 application; renewal ~USD 90
Tax for nomads	Territorial system + Ley 10008 grants total income-tax exemption on foreign earnings and import-duty exemption on work equipment
Processing time	Authority resolves within 15 calendar days; then 3 months to complete DIMEX accreditation
Family / dependents	Yes (spouse, children under 25, dependent seniors); uses the flat USD 4,000/mo threshold

Source: Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (migracion.go.cr). Data as of June 2026.

Income requirement

USD 3,000/month (individual); USD 4,000/month (with family). Foreign-source income. The USD 4,000 family threshold replaces (not adds to) the individual figure.

Requirements & eligibility

Stable foreign-source income at threshold; international health insurance for the full stay (min ~USD 50,000 cited); valid passport; security review. Apply via tramiteya.go.cr/dgme.

Tax for digital nomads in Costa Rica

Territorial system + Ley 10008 grants total income-tax exemption on foreign earnings and import-duty exemption on work equipment.

Tax is the single most variable part of nomad life. Whether you owe tax in Costa Rica depends on how long you stay (most countries treat 183+ days as tax residency), where your income arises, your citizenship, and any double-tax treaty with your home country. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm with Costa Rica's tax authority and a cross-border tax professional.

Family & dependents

Yes (spouse, children under 25, dependent seniors); uses the flat USD 4,000/mo threshold.

Processing time

Authority resolves within 15 calendar days; then 3 months to complete DIMEX accreditation.

Data quality for Costa Rica

Verified against an official government source. Verified against the official Costa Rica source. Figures are a snapshot as of June 2026; income thresholds in particular change (several are tied to local minimum or average wages and recalculated yearly). See our methodology.

Frequently asked questions

What is the income requirement for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?

The Costa Rica Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia) requires USD 3,000/month (individual); USD 4,000/month (with family). Foreign-source income. The USD 4,000 family threshold replaces (not adds to) the individual figure. Figures are as of June 2026 and can change, so verify on the official government source.

How long is the Costa Rica digital nomad visa valid, and can I renew it?

The initial validity is 12 months. Yes, once for +12 months (2 years max); renewal requires proven physical presence in CR during year 1.

How much does the Costa Rica digital nomad visa cost?

The government fee is USD 100 application; renewal ~USD 90. This excludes lawyer, translation, apostille and insurance costs, which vary.

Do digital nomads pay tax in Costa Rica?

Territorial system + Ley 10008 grants total income-tax exemption on foreign earnings and import-duty exemption on work equipment. This is general information, not tax advice — verify with Costa Rica's tax authority and your home country, because your liability depends on tax residency and where your income arises.

Can my family join me on the Costa Rica nomad visa?

Yes (spouse, children under 25, dependent seniors); uses the flat USD 4,000/mo threshold

Other Americas nomad visas

Argentina

Digital Nomad Transitory Residence · No income requirement

Belize

Work Where You Vacation · $6,250/mo

Brazil

Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) · $1,500/mo

Colombia

Digital Nomad Visa (Visa V) · $1,520/mo

Ecuador

Rentista Remote Work Visa (Visa Nomada) · $1,446/mo

Mexico

Temporary Resident Visa (de facto nomad route) · $4,432/mo

Keep exploring

Last updated: 2026-06-20