🇨🇷 Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa

Eligibility requirements

• +Minimum income proof required
• +Health insurance required
• +Clean criminal record required
• -Business plan not required
• -Local partner not required
• -Local director not required
• -Physical office not required
• -Job creation not required

Income requirements are for gross income from sources outside Costa Rica, proven with bank statements and tax returns. Most programs do not accept income earned from local clients - that requires a standard work permit.

Income threshold and costs

Tax treatment while on the visa

A digital nomad visa does not by itself change your tax residency. Your tax residency is determined by days present and other ties under Costa Rica's rules. Use the tax residency calculator to check where you cross the threshold.

Duration, renewal, and presence

Permanent establishment risk: LOW - Territorial tax system means no personal tax exposure on foreign income. PE risk for the foreign employer is low given Costa Rica's limited enforcement capacity.. Running an active business with local clients or employees from Costa Rica can create a taxable presence even on a nomad visa.

Path to permanent residency and citizenship

Watch-outs and recent changes

One of the most US-timezone-friendly digital nomad options. Two year maximum stay via this visa.

How Costa Rica compares to other DNVs

Side-by-side against other popular digital nomad visa programs.

Frequently asked questions