Visa name
Estancia Digital Nomad Visa (Ley 10.008)
Duration
1 year initial, renewable for 1 additional year (2 years total)
Minimum income
$3,000/mo (~3,000 USD/mo)
Family & residency
Family allowed · no PR path
Verified as of April 10, 2026. Visa rules change often — always re-verify with the official Costa Rica source before applying.
Who qualifies
The Estancia Digital Nomad Visa (Ley 10.008) is written for remote workers whose income comes from outside Costa Rica. Every requirement counts. Consulates reject applications over a single missing document, and they will not reach out to ask for it. Here is the full checklist as published by Costa Rica's immigration authority.
- •Monthly income of at least $3,000 USD for individuals, or $4,000 USD for a family unit, sustained for the prior 12 months
- •Employment or contract with an entity outside Costa Rica, OR self-employment serving non-Costa Rican clients
- •Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining
- •Medical insurance with minimum $50,000 coverage valid throughout the visa duration
- •Clean criminal record from country of residence (apostilled)
- •Application submitted to Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME)
Best suited for: Remote workers earning $36,000+ USD per year who want a Central American base · US nomads who want the same time zone and short flights home · Outdoor-oriented professionals — surfing, hiking, wildlife
How much you need
USD monthly
$3,000
Native monthly
3,000 USD
Annual USD
$36,000
The income bar is set so you can actually live in Costa Rica without tapping local benefits. In practice it should cover rent, groceries, health insurance, and transport, and leave something spare at the end of the month.
Costa Rica reviews this threshold from time to time, so treat the number here as a starting point. Confirm the current figure on the official source before you prepare your application.
Tax implications
Costa Rica runs on territorial tax: only Costa Rica-source income is taxed. Digital Nomad Visa holders are explicitly exempt from Costa Rican income tax on foreign-source income. They also skip import duties on personal equipment like laptops, cameras, and phones, and can convert foreign currency at any bank using the visa as ID.
Your actual tax outcome depends on your personal situation, your home country's rules, and any tax treaties between the two. Do not treat this as tax advice. Talk to someone qualified in both Costa Rica and your home country before you decide.
Application process
The steps below follow the current official procedure. Treat the timelines as rough — embassy workloads and document legalization can quietly add weeks on either side.
- 1
Gather documents: 12 months of bank statements, employment/freelance proof, health insurance, criminal record
- 2
Apostille or authenticate foreign documents
- 3
Submit application online via the DGME portal (tramiteya.go.cr or via a licensed Costa Rican immigration lawyer)
- 4
Pay the application fee: approximately $190 USD to DGME + $100 change-of-category fee
- 5
Enter Costa Rica on a tourist stamp (most Western passports get 90 days visa-free)
- 6
Complete biometrics and fingerprinting at DGME in San José
- 7
Receive the Estancia digital nomad residence card (DIMEX) within 30-90 days
Known gotchas
Every nomad visa has sharp edges that are not obvious from the glossy guides. These are the specific snags that trip up Costa Rica applicants most often. Better you see them now than at the consulate window.
Gotcha #1: The two-year maximum is hard — no renewal past year two, and this visa does not open a path to permanent residency
Gotcha #2: Costa Rica's CAJA (social security) is not required for nomad visa holders, but it is required the moment you switch to another residency category
Gotcha #3: Rent in San José, Tamarindo, and Santa Teresa has jumped 40-60% since the visa launched; $1,500-2,500/month for a furnished 1BR is now the norm
Gotcha #4: Internet outside of San José, Escazú, Tamarindo, and Jacó can be uneven — test the speed in person before signing a lease
Gotcha #5: The 12-month sustained-income rule is strict; one month below $3,000 in your history can sink the application
Compare with other nomad destinations
Most nomads I know shortlist three to five countries before committing to a base. Here is how Costa Rica sits next to the other major 2026 programs on minimum income and duration.
Compare
Portugal → D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Compare
Spain → Digital Nomad Visa (Visado de Teletrabajador Internacional)
Compare
Thailand → Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Compare
Mexico → Temporary Resident Visa (Residente Temporal)
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
The Estancia Digital Nomad Visa (Ley 10.008) asks for roughly 3,000 USD monthly (about $3,000 per month in USD). Costa Rica's government reviews this number periodically, so always confirm it with the official source before applying. You will usually need to prove the income with 3-12 months of bank statements or pay stubs, depending on which consulate you work with.
How long can I stay in Costa Rica on this visa?
Duration: 1 year initial, renewable for 1 additional year (2 years total). This is a dedicated remote worker route with fixed time limits; it does not count toward permanent residency.
Do I have to pay Costa Rica income tax as a digital nomad?
Costa Rica runs on territorial tax: only Costa Rica-source income is taxed. Digital Nomad Visa holders are explicitly exempt from Costa Rican income tax on foreign-source income. They also skip import duties on personal equipment like laptops, cameras, and phones, and can convert foreign currency at any bank using the visa as ID.
Can I bring my family on the Costa Rica nomad visa?
Yes. Spouses, registered partners, and dependent children can usually be added to the main application as dependents. Each person needs their own paperwork: marriage certificate, birth certificates, and proof that the main applicant's income is enough to cover the whole family. Per-dependent fees vary.
What are the most common reasons Costa Rica digital nomad visa applications get rejected?
The usual pattern: (1) shaky income documentation — a single month below the threshold in your 3-12 month window can do it; (2) health insurance that does not meet Costa Rica's specific coverage rules; (3) incomplete apostille or legalization of foreign documents, especially the criminal record certificate; (4) trying to switch from a tourist stamp inside Costa Rica when the rules say you must apply from outside. One more thing specific to Costa Rica: The two-year maximum is hard — no renewal past year two, and this visa does not open a path to permanent residency
Sources & verification
This guide was compiled from the official Costa Rica immigration authority and last verified on April 10, 2026. Visa rules shift often, so check the current requirements on the official source before you book flights or file paperwork.
- Primary source: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Categorias%20Migratorias/Estancia.aspx
- Data sources policy: /data-sources
AffordWhere does not provide legal or tax advice. Treat this guide as a starting point. Pair it with a proper conversation with a Costa Rica immigration lawyer and a cross-border tax advisor before you apply.
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