Costa Rica Visa For Indian Citizens
If you are an Indian citizen and planning a Costa Rica vacation soon, it is important to know about the Costa Rica Visa requirements. Costa Rica has a lot of touristic destinations that are famous all over the world. Tourists from Asia, Africa, and South America flock the country. You can reach Costa Rica by air or water and either way is fun. Before you plan your trip, it is pertinent to understand the visa requirements in order to ensure that your travel plans stay on track.
The Costa Rican government has recently made it easier for Indian citizens to find information about visa requirements for Costa Rica. The visa policy instituted on March 1, 2017, by the Ministry of Economy and Finance updates the country’s visa policies relating to nationals from India, according to a document published earlier this year by the Costa Rican Embassy in New Delhi.
Costa Rica Visa For Indian Citizens

Costa Rica is one of the warmest and most welcoming nations in the Central American region. The country has received high ratings on a number of indices including the Human Development Index, eliminating hunger, income inequality and much more. The nation is also recognized as being one of the healthiest nations in the world. Indians who are looking to travel must apply for a visa if they want to visit Costa Rica. Indian citizens will require a visa if they want to stay in-country for more than 90 days.
Who Needs to Apply for a Visa to Costa Rica?
The Costa Rica visa policy is divided into four groups:
- Visa-exempt nationals who are allowed to travel to Costa Rica with just their passport which must be valid for at least one more day from the date of entry. This category included nationals of the United States and European Union member states. They are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for a maximum of 90 days.
- Visa-exempt nationals who are allowed to travel to Costa Rica with just their passport which must be valid for at least three months from the date of arrival. They are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for a maximum of 30 days.
- Foreign nationals who need a Costa Rica Consular Visa, which must be applied for at a Costa Rica consulate in their country of residence. The Costa Rica visa allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
- Foreign nationals who need a Costa Rica Restricted Visa. This type of visa has to be approved by the Commission of Restricted Visas. If approved, it allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
See here for a complete list of countries that need a Costa Rica Visa and those who do not.
What are the Costa Rica Visa requirements?
The required documents you have to submit with your Costa Rica visa application are:
- An application letter, directed to the Costa Rica consulate, containing:
- The purpose of your travel
- Your personal information (name, age, date and place of birth)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Place of residence
- Intended date of arrival and departure from Costa Rica
- Where you will stay while you are in Costa Rica
- The date
- Contact information
- Your signature
- A complete photocopy of all the pages on your passport. Your passport must be valid for an additional six months.
- Return flight ticket reservation. You’re advised not to pay for your ticket until your visa application has been approved. Read here how to book a flight ticket without paying the full price.
- Two pictures of yourself with the following specifications:
- 2 inches x 2 inches
- White background
- Neutral facial expression, staring straight ahead
- Glasses are allowed as long as they do not hide your eyes or face (no thick rims, no reflection, no tinted glass)
- Head gear is not allowed, unless it is for religious purposes. Even so, it must not obstruct the face.
- Proof of sufficient financial means, such as through bank statements from the last three months, letter from employer, of proof of property.
- Certificate of police clearance from your country.
- Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination if you are coming from a place that’s at risk of Yellow Fever.
- If you are a visa-holder or Permanent Resident in another country: Proof of the visa/Residence Permit should be submitted.
The documents you submit must be translated into Spanish and legalized.
Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of requirements, as the Costa Rica consulate will request further documentation as they see fit depending on your case.
How to Apply for Costa Rica Visa?
The Costa Rica visa application process differs depending on the type of visa you need: Costa Rica Consular Visa or Costa Rica Restricted Visa.
Costa Rica Consular Visa application
If you are from a country that requires a Costa Rica Consular Visa, then you must apply for it yourself at the Costa Rica consulate responsible for your jurisdiction.
The Costa Rica visa application process is as follows:
- Contact the Costa Rica consulate to make a Costa Rica visa application appointment.
- Submit the required documents (see “Requirements” below).
- Complete the Costa Rica application form, available on the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería website, the Immigration Department of Costa Rica.
- The Costa Rica consulate may contact you to ask you to obtain additional documents that they think are necessary. They may also request an interview. The visa will begin processing only after all the documents are submitted.
- Wait for the visa to be processed. You will be notified about the decision duly.
- If your Costa Rica visa application is approved, you have 60 days to use the visa to enter the country.
Some consulates allow visa-required foreign nationals to submit their Costa Rica visa application digitally. If the digital visa application procedure is enabled for your country, the relevant consulate is responsible for explaining the application procedure to you.
Costa Rica Restricted Visa application
Costa Rica Restricted visa applications must be submitted by a family member of the applicant who is living in Costa Rica or an appointed attorney. Restricted visas are issued for family reunification or tourism purposes. The Restricted Visa application process is as follows:
- The person who is applying on your behalf must apply to the Commission of Restricted Visas, via a request letter that includes the following:
- Your name
- Your nationality
- Your profession
- The reason for your visit
- How long you will stay in Costa Rica, including arrival and departure date
- Where you will stay in Costa Rica (address)