Going to Costa Rica and need to know the latest Costa Rican visa requirements, Costa Rican visa application processing time or need to make a Costa Rica visa appointment? Use the links on this Costa Rica visa website to learn more.
Costa Rican Visa Requirements
Whether you need a Costa Rican visa will depend on the travel document you are using to travel to Costa Rica and your nationality.
Generally speaking, if you are a national of a country that is on the visa free country list for Costa Rica, then, you do not require a visa for a short trip such as tourist purpose.
If your country of nationality is not on the visa free country list, then you need to apply for a Costa Rican visa at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate or visa processing office at your country of permanent residence.
Generally, if applying for Costa Rican visa as a family, all family members must provide their own individual documents. Every applicant who is submitting documents is expected to attend an appointment in person at the visa office of the embassy or their appointed visa aaplication center.
Costa Rican Visa Processing Time
When applying for a Costa Rican visa, make sure you submit your application within the given time frame.
The time frame given below is a guide only as visa rules change according to your nationality and personal cirumstances.
Please contact the Costa Rican visa office to get more info the visa process time for visa :
- The earliest: Three months before the date of your planned departure to Costa Rica.
- The latest: Two weeks before the intended date of travel to Costa Rica.
- Recommended: at least 3 weeks prior to your trip, so you can avoid any possible delay at the embassy.
Costa Rica Visa Appointment
Making visa appointment with the Costa Rican embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done by yourself.
Please contact the Costa Rican embassy or visa application center in your home country or vist the Costa Rican embassy website to book visa appointment.
Click here for Costa Rican embassy contact details and websites around the world.
Please Note: In individual circumstances, you may be asked to produce additional documents. Costa Rican embassy procedures and policies can and do, alter overnight. We take no responsibilty for any such changes or any transaction initiated directly between an applicant and the Costa Rican embassy.
Steps to Applying for Costa Rican visa To apply for a Costa Rican visa follow the steps given below:
- Check if you need to apply for a Costa Rican Visa.
- Know when is the right time to apply!
- Figure out what type of Costa Rican visa you need.
- Find out where you should lodge your application.
- Fill in the right Costa Rican visa form.
- Collect the documents required for Costa Rican visa.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your biometrics.
- Pay the visa fee.
Please Note: Please consult Costa Rican embassy in your country as visa regulations for Costa Rica can and often change overnight. In individual cases, additional documents required for Costa Rican visa. We accept no responsibility as we have no affiliation with the embassy of Costa Rica or their visa section.
Going for a visa interview at the embassy? The visa officer at the Costa Rican consulate will look over your application and ask you questions if they wish to clarify anything. It is best to answer these questions honestly.
Typical questions asked at the Costa Rica visa interview include:
- What is your purpose of your trip to Costa Rica?
- Do you know anyone living in Costa Rica?
- What is your current occupation?
- How long have you been in your current occupation?
- If you are a student, when will the studies finsh?
- How will you suuport yourself whilst in Costa Rica?
- Have you ever travelled to other countries?
- Who will pay for your trip to Costa Rica?
- What are your plans when you return from your trip?
- What will you do if your visa application is rejected?
- What is your marital status?
- Will you be involved in business whilst in Costa Rica?
Common reasons why your Costa Rican visa application got rejected include:
- Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip Costa Rica and you must provide documents to show that you can.
- Proof of accommodation not provided – you must be able to show where you will be staying in Costa Rica and you can easily do this by providing a hotel reservation in Costa Rica.
- The visa officer thinks you will not return to your home country – you must make it clear that you intend to leave Costa Rica and return to your home country before the expiry of your visa. You can do this by providing documents that show you have ties where you live, such as an employment letter or proof that you own your home etc.
- No proof of residence – you must be able to prove that you can live in the country of your residence legally, so you must provide proof of residence.