Costa Ricaportal |
The visa policy of Costa Rica requires that any foreign national wishing to enter Costa Rica must obtain a visa from one of the Costa Rican diplomatic missions, unless they hold a passport issued by one of the 95 eligible visa exempt countries or if the fulfill the requirements for a substitute visa. Costa Rican visas are documents issued by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, which is part of the Ministry of Interior and Police, with the stated goal of regulating and facilitating migratory flows.
Holders of passports of the following jurisdictions do not require a visa to visit Costa Rica: [1] [2]
180 days1 30 days24 |
1 - Passport must be valid for at least one day on arrival.
2 - Passport must be valid for at least three months on arrival.
3 - Including overseas territories of Australia, Denmark, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom, United States.
4 - Extendable up to 90 days.
In addition, nationals of China who hold passports endorsed "for public affairs" do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Date of visa changes | ||
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Cancelled: | ||
Visa is not required for holders of diplomatic or service/official passports of Barbados (30 days), China (30 days), Colombia, Cuba (30 days), Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Indonesia, Morocco (30 days), Singapore (180 days), Thailand and Vietnam for up to 90 days (unless otherwise stated).
Nationals who would normally require visas may enter Costa Rica for a maximum of 90 days if they are holding a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by the following countries. Residence permits and visas must be valid for more than six months on arrival. [1]
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1 - for holders of residence permits only.
2 - Green Cards or U.S. visas must be valid for more than six months on arrival except for holders of B or D visas. Not applicable to holders of C1, C2, and C3 visas.
Holders of passports of the following jurisdictions must have their visa approved by the Commission for Restricted Visas before arrival: [1]
Costa Rica also requires citizens of Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Cuba, Haiti, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Nicaragua to apply for transit visas before transiting through the country. [1]
Most visitors arriving to Costa Rica were from the following countries of nationality: [18]
Country | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 1,199,241 | 1,233,277 | 1,077,044 | 997,262 | 929,402 |
Nicaragua | 429,990 | 440,049 | 446,870 | 463,959 | 476,678 |
Canada | 201,921 | 188,104 | 175,771 | 172,730 | 160,398 |
Mexico | 106,783 | 94,499 | 84,940 | 75,045 | 72,568 |
Panama | 104,795 | 99,917 | 97,135 | 68,340 | 98,275 |
El Salvador | 81,091 | 78,273 | 69,427 | 63,214 | 64,552 |
Guatemala | 78,032 | 65,063 | 57,600 | 55,677 | 56,756 |
United Kingdom | 76,173 | 71,392 | 47,499 | 39,545 | 35,198 |
Germany | 70,960 | 67,939 | 66,450 | 63,916 | 54,754 |
France | 69,803 | 61,503 | 54,773 | 49,681 | 39,728 |
Spain | 69,782 | 67,453 | 65,188 | 64,303 | 52,950 |
Total | 2,959,869 | 2,925,128 | 2,660,257 | 2,526,817 | 2,427,941 |
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and to other EU member states except Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schengen area.
The visa policy of Canada requires that any foreign citizen wishing to enter Canada must obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless they hold a passport issued by one of the 54 eligible visa-exempt countries and territories or proof of permanent residence in the United States.
A Mexican visa is a document issued by the National Institute of Migration, dependent on the Secretariat of the Interior, with the stated goal of regulating and facilitating migratory flows into the country.
The Government of Namibia allows citizens of specific countries and territories to travel to Namibia for tourism, visiting friends and relatives as well as official purposes for three months with an ordinary, diplomatic and service passports without having to obtain a visa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Most visitors to Indonesia may obtain a visa on arrival to Indonesia, unless they are a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries. However, some countries must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Indonesian diplomatic missions before being allowed to enter Indonesia.
Visitors to Venezuela must obtain a visa from one of the Venezuelan diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination.
Visitors not holding return / onward tickets could be refused entry. Naturalized Venezuelan citizens, must hold in addition to their passport and National Identity Card, the original of the official decree of their naturalization issued by the Venezuelan government.
All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
The visa policy of the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act, and by subsequent legislation amending it.
The Act is jointly enforced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Visitors from 157 countries are permitted visa-free entry for periods ranging from 14 to 59 days.
The visa policy of South Africa is how the South African government determines who may and may not enter South Africa. Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries, in which case they get a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide biometric data.
The visa policy of the United Kingdom is the policy by which His Majesty's Government determines visa requirements for visitors to the United Kingdom, and the Crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man and those seeking to work, study or reside there.
The visa policy of Ireland is set by the Government of Ireland and determines visa requirements for foreign citizens. If someone other than a European Union, European Economic Area, Common Travel Area or Swiss citizen seeks entry to Ireland, they must be a national of a visa-exempt country or have a valid Irish visa issued by one of the Irish diplomatic missions around the world.
Visitors to the Dominican Republic must obtain a visa from one of the Dominican Republic diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Chile must obtain a visa from one of the Chilean diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Chile generally maintains a reciprocal visa policy with other countries.
Visitors to Zambia must obtain a visa from one of the Zambian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival. Visitors may alternatively obtain an electronic visa.
Visitors to Uruguay must obtain a visa from one of the Uruguayan diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
Visitors to Uganda must obtain an e-Visa or from one of the Ugandan diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
Most visitors to Mozambique can obtain a visa for Mozambique, either on arrival or from one of the Mozambican diplomatic missions around the world in advance, unless they are a national of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Barbados must obtain a visa at one of the Barbadian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Jamaica must obtain a visa from one of the Jamaican diplomatic missions, or in certain cases from one of the United Kingdom diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the countries designated as visa-exempt countries or countries whose citizens may obtain a visa on arrival.
Most Commonwealth Citizens can visit Jamaica for up to 180 days visa-free.
Visitors to El Salvador must obtain a visa from one of the Salvadoran diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
The British Overseas Territories maintain their own entry requirements different from the visa policy of the United Kingdom. As a general rule, British citizens do not have automatic right of abode in these territories.