Home » Costa Rica » Costa Rica – Visas

Costa Rica – Visas

Visa Regulations for Entering Costa Rica

  • Requirements for entry:
    To enter Costa Rica, a foreign national must have a valid passport, visa and, in some cases, a return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and proof of health insurance coverage.

  • Validity of visa:
    Visas must be used within their validity period, which ranges from 30 days to 2 years, and the holder must enter Costa Rica before the expiration date.

  • <

    Visa Regulations for Entering Costa Rica

    • Requirements for entry:
      To enter Costa Rica, a foreign national must have a valid passport, visa and, in some cases, a return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and proof of health insurance coverage.

    • Validity of visa:
      Visas must be used within their validity period, which ranges from 30 days to 2 years, and the holder must enter Costa Rica before the expiration date.

      • Important rules:

    1. Visitors who overstay their visa or engage in unauthorized activities may be fined, deported or banned from entering Costa Rica in the future.
    2. A visitor who intends to work, study or reside in Costa Rica must obtain a relevant visa before entering the country.
    3. It is prohibited to engage in activities that are deemed harmful to the Costa Rican government or public order.
    4. Visitors who are found carrying drugs or counterfeit goods will be severely punished.
    5. A foreign national may be required to undergo a security check before entering Costa Rica.

    Successfully Navigating Regulations:

    1. Research visa requirements and choose the appropriate visa category for your visit.
    2. Check the validity period of your visa and make sure you have sufficient time to complete your planned activities.
    3. Provide accurate information on your visa application, as any false statements can result in visa denial or cancellation.
    4. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Costa Rica.
    5. Familiarize yourself with the prohibited activities in Costa Rica and avoid engaging in any that may lead to legal consequences.

    Types of Visa


    Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

    Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


    Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.


    1. Tourist visa: Issued to those who visit Costa Rica for sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, and other personal affairs. Validity: 90 days.

    2. Business visa: Issued to those who visit Costa Rica for business, trade, or other commercial activities. Validity: 90 days.

    3. Work visa: Issued to those who work in Costa Rica, including foreign experts, employees of foreign companies, and international students. Validity: up to 2 years.

    4. Study visa: Issued to those who study in Costa Rica, including degree students, language students, and short-term students. Validity: up to 1 year.

    5. Family visit visa: Issued to those who visit their family members in Costa Rica, including spouse, parent, and child. Validity: up to 1 year.

    6. Resident visa: Issued to those who intend to reside in Costa Rica for more than 180 days. Validity: up to 2 years.

    Visa Exemptions

    1. citizens of some countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and European Union member countries, can enter Costa Rica without a tourist visa for a stay up to 90 days.

    Relationship between Visas and Residency Status

    Visa Regulations for Entering Croatia

    • EU citizens do not require a visa to enter Croatia.
    • Non-EU citizens must check if they need a visa before entering the country, which can be done on the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs website.
    • A valid passport with a minimum validity of 3 months beyond the intended stay is required for all visitors.

    Types of Visas in Croatia

    • Tourist Visa: for short-term stays for tourist purposes.
    • Business Visa: for business-related activities such as attending meetings, conferences or negotiations.
    • Work Visa: for foreign citizens who wish to work in Croatia.
    • Study Visa: for foreign students who wish to study in Croatia.
    • Family Reunion Visa: for family members of EU citizens living in Croatia.
    • Permanent Residence Visa: for non-EU citizens who wish to live in Croatia for an extended period.

    Visa Exemptions in Croatia

    • Citizens of EU and EEA member states and Switzerland do not require a visa to enter Croatia.
    • citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United States do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

    Relationship between Visas and Residency Status in Croatia

    • A visa serves as an entry permit to Croatia, while residency status determines an individual’s legal stay in the country.
    • Obtaining a residency permit allows an individual to live and work in Croatia for a prolonged period.
    • A residency permit can be obtained by obtaining a work or permanent residency visa.

    Reliable Information on Visas for Entry into Croatia

    • The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs website provides information on visa requirements for entering Croatia.
    • The website also offers a visa application form and instructions on how to apply for a visa.
    • The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the visitor’s country of residence can also provide information on visa requirements and application procedures.
    • The Croatian National Tourist Board provides information on tourist visas and travel to Croatia.
    • The Ministry of the Interior website provides information on residency permits and procedures for obtaining them.

    To enter Croatia, citizens of some countries may require a visa, while others are eligible for visa-free travel. To determine whether you need a visa, check the visa requirements of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

    Visas should be applied for in a timely manner, typically several months prior to your intended travel dates. Applications can be submitted through the relevant Croatian diplomatic mission in your country of residence, either in person or by post.

    Links to relevant forms and details of relevant authorities:

    Where to Apply for a Visa for Croatia

    For US and UK expats, visas for Croatia can be obtained through the relevant Croatian diplomatic mission in the US or UK.

    Relevant consulates for US expats:

    Relevant consulate for UK expats:

    Relevant Documents for Croatia

    The specific documents required for a visa application may vary depending on the purpose of your visit. However, generally, the following documents are required:

    • Completed visa application form
    • Valid passport with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least three months beyond the intended stay
    • Two recent passport-size photographs
    • Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation letter from host)
    • Proof of financial means (bank statement or traveler’s cheques)
    • Travel insurance covering the duration of the stay
    • Proof of the purpose of the trip (e.g. invitation letter for business purposes, tour itinerary for tourists)

    Translations are necessary for documents not written in English, Croatian or another EU language.

    Additional information can be found on the website of the relevant Croatian diplomatic mission in your country of residence.

    Visa Application Processing Time for Croatia

    The processing time for a visa application may vary depending on the time of year and the volume of applications received. It is recommended to apply well in advance of your intended travel dates, typically several months prior.

    Visa Application Cost for Croatia

    The cost of a visa for Croatia may vary depending on the type of visa and the country of origin. Fees can be found on the website of the relevant Croatian diplomatic mission in your country of residence.

    Associated Costs

    In addition to the visa fee, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining a visa for Croatia, such as the cost of travel insurance, passport photos, and shipping fees if applying by post. These costs should be taken into consideration when planning your trip to Croatia.