Costa Rica Travel: Costa Rica General Info: Entry Requirements

Costa Rica Entry / Exit Requirements
September 12, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Costa Rica is a middle-income, developing country with a strong democratic tradition. Tourist facilities are extensive and generally adequate. The capital is San Jose. English is a second language for many Costa Ricans. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Costa Rica for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: For entry into Costa Rica, U.S. citizens must present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival, and a roundtrip/outbound ticket. Some U.S. airlines may not permit passengers to board flights to Costa Rica without such a ticket. Passports should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration will deny entry if the passport is damaged in any way. Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay beyond the period granted, travelers must submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may experience a delay at the airport when departing. Persons who overstayed previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica.
Persons traveling to Costa Rica from some countries in South America and Sub-Saharan Africa must provide evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination prior to entry. The South American countries include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

New Visa Regulations

Effective May 23, 2007, nationals of countries that require a consular visa to enter Costa Rica are no longer required to apply for the visa, if the visitors are holders of:

A valid visa (multiple entries) to enter the United States of America (B1, F1, H1B, G4, etc.) and/or the European Union
OR
A permanent residency (green card) in the United States of America and/or the European Union
The passport expiration date needs to be over 30 days from the day of arrival to the country

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

NOTE: These new visa regulations DO NOT APPLY for citizens from the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Palestinian Territory, Syrian Arab Republic, People's Republic of China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Somalia

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