Authorized Visa

To obtain an Authorized Visa please go to the Consulate in your jurisdiction. We do not accept visa applications by mail. 

Requirements to obtain visa  

  1. A passport valid for at least 6 months (and photocopy of the page with your information).
  2. An application form. This is an official document, therefore only application forms issued at Consulates or from this website are accepted at the Consulates.
  3. A request letter addressed to Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. This letter will only be valid if faxed by the Consulate that will issue your visa. The immigration office does not process documents that are not presented by the Consulate of your jurisdiction.
  4. 1 color photograph (2 x 2 inches).
  5. A round trip / ongoing flight itinerary. It is recommended NOT to buy your airline ticket until your visa has been approved, but you must show a flight reservation with your name on it.
  6. A personal or company letter stating the purpose of your trip. If you have been invited by the government or a public or private institution, request a letter in Spanish addressed to the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
  7. Proof of legal status in the United States (Greencard, U.S. entry visa). Individuals who do not meet these requirements should apply for visa in their country of origin.
  8. Proof of solid economic status in the United States for the last three months (bank account statements, salary statements, etc.).

Fee

US$ 20,00 payable in cash, money order, cashiers check or company check. Please make the check payable to CASH. We don't accept personal checks! In the case of Washington, DC ONLY CASH is accepted.

A refundable deposit wired to the bank account of the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in Costa Rica might be requested for those individuals who are not Greencard holders. The amount will be determined by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería and refunded  to you after you return to your country of residency. You must present a copy of the deposit slip to the Consulate. (This fee will probably have similar value to a ticket issued from Costa Rica to the place where your passport is from).

The deposit is transferred to Costa Rica, then it has to be transferred back to the United States. Therefore you should consider that banks will charge a commission from the deposit!

Processing Time

Generally, the processing time is from four to eight weeks or more. The authorized visa is issued by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, therefore the processing time may vary. Once it is approved, the Consulate processes it in 2 days.

N.B.:
Effective April 20th , 2009, nationals of countries that require a authorized visa to enter Costa Rica are no longer required to apply for the visa, if the visitors are holders of:  

  • A valid tourist visa, crew member’s visa, or business visa to enter the U.S., Canada or the countries of the European Union. The tourist visa must be stamped in their passport and valid for at least 3 more months.

OR

  • A permanent residence (green card), student visa (F1, J1), work visa (H1B, G4, etc.), or refugee status in the United States, and/or in any country member of the European Union or Canada, valid for a minimum of 6 months. Residency extensions stamped on passports are not accepted.

The passport expiration date needs to be over 6 months from the day of arrival to the country. If you do not meet the situations mentioned above you are required to apply for a visa at the closest Costa Rica Consulate.

Visitors are allowed to remain in the country for up to 30 days.  All visa extensions should be requested at the Immigration Office in San José, Costa Rica.

Once the visa is issued and stamped in the passport the person must enter Costa Rica within 2 months.