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General Information

Canadian citizens do not need visa to enter Costa Rica. However, to enter the country they have to present:

1) a valid passport;

2) prove economic solvency of at least US$100 per month of legal permanence in the country;

3) a ticket to exit Costa Rica and;

4) not having an impediment of entry into the country.

Not all people who wish to travel to Costa Rica need a tourist visa, this will depend on the nationality, purpose of visit, country of residence and duration of stay.

The visa does not guarantee entry to Costa Rica as it depends on the immigration officer upon arrival. 

Please check the following groups of countries, in order to determine if you need a visa.

First Group. Nationals of countries listed in the First Group are authorized the entry into Costa Rica, without consular visa, and for a maximum stay up to 90 days. (click here to view group )

Second Group. Nationals of countries listed in the Second Group are authorized the entry into Costa Rica, without Consular Visa, and for a maximum stay up to 30 day.(click here to view group )

Third Group. Nationals of the countries listed in the Third Group are authorized the entry into Costa Rica, with Consular Visa, and for a maximum stay up to 30 days. The Consular Visa must be requested at Consulate of the country of origin.(click here to view group )

Exceptions apply in the following cases:

1. Nationals of countries listed in the Third Group who have a visa (tourist visa, a visa for crew or a business visa) to enter the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan, European Union countries and/or Schengen visa, stamped in their passport and valid for at least three months, are exempted from Consular Visa to enter Costa Rica, and will be subject to the same conditions of entry that applies to the nationals of the countries listed in the First Group. The maximum stay and validity of the passport will correspond to that one of the group in which his country of nationality is listed.
2. Nationals of countries listed in the Third Group who have a permanent legal residence (residence, work permit, study permit, refugee) of at least six months in the United States of America, Canada, and the countries of the European Union, are exempted from Consular Visa to enter Costa Rica, and will be subject to the same conditions of entry that applies to nationals of the countries listed in the First Group. Those nationals, who don’t have the minimum required residence of six months, can apply for a Consular Visa in the corresponding country.  The maximum stay and validity of the passport will correspond to that one of the group in which its country of nationality is listed.

Fourth Group. Consulted and restricted visa.(click here to view group )

Exceptions apply in the following cases:

1. Nationals of countries listed in the Fourth Group who have a visa (tourist visa, a visa for crew or a business visa) to enter the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, European Union countries and/or Schengen visa, stamped in the passport and valid for at least three months, do not need a Restricted Visa to enter Costa Rica, and will be subject to the same conditions of entry that applies to the nationals of the countries listed in Second Group. The maximum stay and validity of the passport will correspond to that one of the group in which his country of nationality is listed.
2. Nationals of countries listed in the Fourth Group who have a permanent legal residence (residence, work permit, study permit, refugee) of at least six months in the United States of America, Canada, and the countries of the European Union, are exempted from Restricted Visa to enter Costa Rica, and will be subject to the same conditions of entry that applies to the nationals of the countries listed in Second Group. Those nationals, who don’t have the minimum required residence of six months, can apply for a Consular Visa in the corresponding country.  The maximum stay and validity of the passport will correspond to that one of the group in which its country of nationality is listed.

If your case is not covered by previous information, please make the specific enquiry to: consulado.ottawa@costaricaembassy.com

To access the Visas Directive please click here http://www.migracion.go.cr/extranjeros/visas/directrices_ingreso/Directriz%20Visas%202012.pdf