Articles on: Americas

Costa Rica — Digital Nomad Visa (“Estancia para Trabajador y Prestador Remoto de Servicios”): everything you need to know!

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why Costa Rica (the essentials)

If you’ve dreamt of working with a rainforest view, surfing at sunset, or writing your weekly update with hummingbirds around you—Costa Rica fits. To attract remote professionals, the country created a special “Estancia” subcategory for Remote Workers/Service Providers, designed to let you live legally while earning foreign-sourced income. (pgrweb.go.cr)

What it is & who it’s for

This is a non-resident “Estancia” that lets foreign nationals live in Costa Rica while working remotely for employers or clients outside the country. The law explicitly requires foreign-source income and sets clear economic thresholds to qualify. See the full law (Law No. 10008) and its executive Regulation (Decree No. 43619-H-MGP-TUR). (pgrweb.go.cr)

Who runs it & how you apply

The process is managed by Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) and is designed to be digital via the Trámite ¡YA! platform (you can also file in person). DGME also maintains an official Digital Nomads page with requirements and steps.

  • Law No. 10008 — Law to Attract International Remote Workers & Service Providers (objectives, eligibility, benefits). (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • Executive Decree No. 43619-H-MGP-TUR — Regulation to Law 10008 (procedure, Trámite ¡YA!, amounts, insurance, timelines, documentation). (pgrweb.go.cr)

Length & renewals

  • Initial grant: up to 1 year.
  • Extension: +1 year if you prove ≥180 days of physical presence in Costa Rica during year one. (pgrweb.go.cr)

Financial & insurance requirements (official)

  • Minimum income:
    • US$3,000/month (single applicant)
    • US$4,000/month (if applying with family)

Proved with last 12 months of bank statements or an equivalent certification listed in the Regulation. (pgrweb.go.cr)

  • Health insurance: policy covering the entire stay, with at least US$50,000 in medical coverage in Costa Rica for each family member included. (pgrweb.go.cr)

Fees & timelines (per Regulation / official guidance)

  • Application fee: US$100 at submission. (Visit Costa Rica)
  • Document issuance (after approval): ~US$90 (plus any security deposit the norm requires case-by-case). (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • Decision time: 15 calendar days from filing; if DGME “prevents” (asks for fixes), you get 8 business days to correct and the clock pauses until you upload. (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • Exemption from Costa Rican income tax on foreign-source income while under this status. (Always confirm your home-country tax obligations.) (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • Duty-free import of basic personal work equipment (e.g., laptop, phone, camera) under conditions defined in the Regulation. (pgrweb.go.cr)

Step-by-step (QUESTRAVEL’s practical flow)

  1. Prepare proofs of income (12 months) and remote-work evidence; get passport and insurance with the stated coverage. (pgrweb.go.cr)
  2. File via Trámite ¡YA! (or in person), upload documents, and pay US$100. (tramiteya.go.cr)
  3. Respond to “prevención,” if issued: you have 8 business days to fix gaps; the official 15-day clock resumes when you comply. (pgrweb.go.cr)
  4. Approval & biometrics appointment (fingerprints, photo). Pay ~US$90 for the card; present active insurance, and post any deposit if requested by DGME. (pgrweb.go.cr)
  5. Card issuance & address registration. For the second-year extension, document ≥180 days of presence in year one. (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • Law No. 10008 (full text, PGR): pgrweb.go.cr/…/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?nValor1=1&nValor2=95085. (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • Regulation, Decree No. 43619-H-MGP-TUR (PGR “Reglamentaciones” index; also in legal repositories): pgrweb.go.cr/…/nrm_reglamentaciones.aspx?nValor1=1&nValor2=95085… • vlex.co.cr/…/decreto-n-43619… (pgrweb.go.cr)
  • DGME — Digital Nomads: migracion.go.cr/nomadas-digitales/ • DGME home: migracion.go.cr. (migracion.go.cr)
  • Trámite ¡YA!: tramiteya.go.cr/dgme • tramiteya.go.cr • racsa.go.cr/…/tramiteya/. (tramiteya.go.cr)
  • ICT — Digital Nomads (overview & requirements): visitcostarica.com/digital-nomads • /digital-nomads/requirements. (Visit Costa Rica)


QUESTRAVEL’s take

Most delays come from poorly prepared income proofs (e.g., 12 months of statements missing or not properly certified) and policies that don’t explicitly meet the minimum coverage or full validity of the requested stay. Our QUESTRAVEL concierge method keeps it tight: phase-by-phase checklists, insurance pre-validation, and scenario planning (solo vs. family).

💡 Want to land and start living the pura vida without hiccups? Book a 1:1 with QUESTRAVEL—we’ll build your official roadmap, timing, and city picks for your lifestyle: fromquestravel.com.

Updated on: 03/11/2025