Resident Guide

Costa Rica has moved several immigration procedures for foreign executives and their families online, allowing eligible applicants to complete and track the process through the Ventanilla Única de Inversión (VUI), or One-Stop Investment Window. The service, available since August 13, 2026, covers three immigration categories: Free Trade Zone Executives, Dependents of Company Executives, and Free Trade Zone Stays. Applicants can review requirements, submit their cases, follow progress, and receive notifications and approvals entirely online.

Important limitation

This change does not mean Costa Rica has introduced online processing for all residency applications. The online service applies only to the three designated categories connected to qualifying companies and the Free Trade Zone Regime. Foreign residents applying through other categories should not assume their applications can now be submitted through the VUI.

Sources: The Tico Times (August 14, 2026), DGME, Procomer

Remote workers and digital nomads applying under Costa Rica's estancia category (Law 10008) face updated renewal rules. To renew a digital nomad visa, the holder must have resided in the country for at least 180 days, continuously or intermittently, during the initial validity period, and must provide proof that they used Community-Based Rural Tourism (TRC) services during their stay, such as lodges or rural inns. These changes came through amendments that took effect in mid-2025 and remain in force for 2026 renewals.

Other requirements to keep in mind

• Valid criminal record certificates, properly apostilled, are now mandatory for applicants and family members.
• The digital nomad estancia does not count toward permanent residency or citizenship.
• The income tax exemption now applies only to the declared fixed or average monthly income, with any additional income subject to regular taxation.

Sources: EY Global Tax Alert, DGME

If you leave Costa Rica by land, the only official fee is $8 per person, and it stays $8 no matter which crossing you use. It breaks down as $5 for the tax itself, $2 for phytosanitary scanning, and $1 for animal health inspection through SENASA. The fee has been in force since December 2013 under Law 9154 and applies to everyone leaving on foot or by car, every time, with no residency exemption.

How to pay safely

• Pay online before you travel at bancobcr.com with any Visa or Mastercard. The bank adds nothing on top of the $8 and you get a PDF receipt by email.
• If someone asks for more than $8 or asks you to hand cash to a person rather than pay at a bank window or kiosk, that is not a government charge.
• Ask for a receipt for every payment and treat the absence of one as a warning sign.

Source: The Tico Times (August 10, 2026), Banco de Costa Rica

Law 9996, which temporarily reduced the investment threshold for the Investor category from $200,000 to $150,000 and provided significant one-time tax exemptions, officially expired on July 14, 2026. Applications submitted on or before July 14, 2026, maintain Law 9996 benefits. New applications after this date are subject to the original requirements with no special tax benefits.

What was lost for new applicants after July 14:

• Tax-free import of household goods: no longer available as an exemption for new Investor residents.
• Tax-free vehicle import: new applicants must now pay full import duties on vehicles (approximately 52% of vehicle value).
• Reduced property transfer tax: the exemption on real estate transfer tax is no longer applicable.
• Investment threshold: returned from $150,000 to the original $200,000 minimum.

Current options for new residents:

Costa Rica still allows a one-time tax-free import of household goods for qualified individuals through a separate mechanism (unrelated to Law 9996). Monitor for potential new legislation that could restore some or all of the expired benefits. Consult an immigration attorney for current options.

Sources: Farmstead Collection, CRIE.cr, ARCR (Association of Residents of Costa Rica), CAIA Legal

The Professional Migration Police has intensified identity verification operations across the Central Valley, conducting joint checkpoints with Transit Police and OIJ. In July 2026, 28 individuals were deported, primarily Nicaraguan nationals. The government is applying a 'firm hand' enforcement policy.

What every expatriate resident and tourist must know:

• Always carry valid identification: residents must carry their DIMEX card at all times. Tourists must carry their passport with valid entry stamp.
• DIMEX in renewal: if your DIMEX has expired and is being renewed, carry the renewal application receipt and a copy of your expired DIMEX.
• Tourist visa limits: do not exceed your authorized stay period. Overstaying can result in deportation and future entry restrictions.
• The SJO airport immigration system suffered two crashes in less than a month (July 12 and August 1), causing manual passport processing. Arrive 4 hours before departure while these issues persist.

Sources: The Tico Times (July 15, 2026 & August 1, 2026), DGME

Laura Fernández took office on May 8, 2026, succeeding Rodrigo Chaves as President of Costa Rica. Her administration has signaled continuity in immigration enforcement, including maintaining the bilateral cooperation agreement with the United States.

Key points for expats and residents:

• Program continuity: The new government confirmed it will maintain the Costa Rica–US deportation cooperation program.
• Policy direction: Analysts anticipate the new administration may adopt more restrictive immigration policies than its predecessor.
• No changes yet: As of May 2026, no changes to residency categories, fees, or requirements have been announced.

Monitor migracion.go.cr for any official announcements from the new administration.

Law 9996, which provided a one-time tax exemption on vehicle import, household goods (menaje de casa), and real estate transfer tax for new residents, officially expired on July 14, 2026. If you did not submit your application before that date, you are no longer eligible for this benefit.

Important: Costa Rica still allows a one-time tax-free import of household goods for new residents under general customs regulations. This is a separate process from the expired Law 9996.

The Costa Rican government is actively evaluating an increase to the Pensionado visa's minimum monthly income requirement, currently set at $1,000/month.

What you need to know:

• No official amount or implementation date has been confirmed as of May 2026.
• If approved, existing pensionados would NOT be grandfathered. They would need to meet the new requirement at renewal.
• Those considering applying should do so under the current $1,000 threshold before any change is enacted.

Monitor migracion.go.cr and La Gaceta Oficial for official announcements.

The DGME issued Resolution DJUR-0198-04-2026-JM notifying that individuals who did not comply with instructions from an official telegram sent 6 months ago and whose names appear on a published list have had their migratory category cancelled.

What this means depending on your residency type:

• Temporary Residency or Special Category (CET) on the list: You can no longer renew, request a duplicate, or process your DIMEX for the first time. You must file a new application from scratch, presenting all requirements again, except those already on file that have not expired.
• Permanent Residency on the list: You CAN continue your documentation process (renewal, duplicate, or first-time DIMEX) normally.

Action required: Check the official list immediately at migracion.go.cr. If your name appears, consult a licensed Costa Rican immigration attorney as soon as possible.

Costa Rica signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with the United States to receive weekly deportation flights of up to 25 people of various nationalities. These are not exclusively Costa Rican citizens, they include nationals of third countries being deported by the US.

What has happened so far:

• First flight (April 12, 2026): 25 people, nationals from Albania, Cameroon, China, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya, and Morocco.
• Second flight (April 19, 2026): 22 people, nationals from Brazil, Romania, Uzbekistan, China, Azerbaijan, Ireland, India, Vietnam, and Belarus.
• Each group receives primary medical care, translators, and Red Cross coordination upon arrival.
• President Laura Fernández confirmed she will maintain the program after taking office on May 8, 2026.

Why this matters for expats: This agreement reflects increased coordination between Costa Rica and US immigration authorities, signaling a stricter enforcement environment overall. It does not directly affect legal residents or those with valid residency applications in process.

As of February 2026, the Digital DIMEX issued through the EDUS app has the same full legal validity as the physical card.

• Use it to open bank accounts, sign contracts, and complete government procedures.
• CCSS physical cards are no longer issued, access your healthcare record exclusively through the EDUS app.
• Download EDUS from the App Store or Google Play.

• Initial approval (all categories except Digital Nomad): 18–24 months due to high demand.
• Digital Nomad initial approval: 15 calendar days (official target).
• DIMEX issuance (all categories): 3–4 months after approval (backlog of 20,000+).
• Temporary residency renewal: approx. 4 months from appointment.
• Most rejected documents: criminal background checks older than 3 months, missing apostille, bank letters that don't explicitly guarantee $2,500/month for 24 months.
• Recommendation: use electronic apostilles (e-Apostille) for faster processing.

The Legislative Assembly approved reforms to the Digital Nomad Visa program (Law N° 10.008) in June 2025. These changes are now in effect and affect both new applicants and renewals.

New requirements for applicants:

• Criminal background checks (apostilled) now required for the applicant AND all dependents.
• Processing time extended from 15 days to up to 3 months.
• Tax exemption now applies only to declared income, not all foreign income.

New requirements for renewals:

• Must demonstrate 180 days of physical presence in Costa Rica during year one.
• Must provide proof of participation in Community-Based Rural Tourism (TRC) initiatives.

Sources: Legislative Assembly Expediente 24.937 (June 2025); Delfino.cr (June 2, 2025).

The General Directorate of Immigration (DGME) issued Circular DG-0011-03-2026 updating the official list of immigration ID documents. Both physical and digital DIMEX formats remain valid.

• Check your DIMEX expiration date and carry your card at all times.
• Digital DIMEX through the EDUS app has the same legal validity as the physical card.

Source: DGME Circular DG-0011-03-2026.

Simple Decision Guide:

• Government pension $1,000+/month → Pensioner visa. Fastest to document.
• Rental income, dividends, investment returns $2,500+/month → Rentista visa. Requires CPA certification.
• Investing $150,000+ → Investor visa. Only 1 annual visit required.
• Working remotely for foreign employers → Digital Nomad visa. Fastest approval (15 days), limited to 2 years.
• Married to or close relative of a Costa Rican citizen → Family Tie residency. Strong path to citizenship.
• From Cuba, Nicaragua, or Venezuela → Ask about CET with automatic work permit.

The DGME confirmed on February 24, 2026 that over 20,000 DIMEX are pending, with applications from October 2025 still in process.

How to avoid being left without a valid document:

1. Schedule your renewal appointment at least 4 months before your DIMEX expires.
2. Keep your CCSS payments current, the DGME checks this directly.
3. Save the appointment confirmation receipt as proof of pending renewal.
4. Expired passports without physical damage ARE accepted under Feb 2026 simplification.

To schedule a Migración appointment: visit migracion.go.cr or use the Trámite Ya platform.

A bill introduced in Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly on February 25, 2025 (by the Frente Amplio party) proposes to regulate tourist re-entry and effectively end the practice of perpetual tourism, where foreigners repeatedly leave and re-enter Costa Rica as tourists to avoid applying for legal residency.

Main provisions proposed:

• 90-day re-entry ban: Tourists could not re-enter Costa Rica for 90 days after reaching their maximum allowed stay.
• Increased fines: $300/month for tourists who overstay their authorized period.
• Entry bans: Up to 5 years for serious violations.

Who would be exempt if the bill passes:

• Temporary residents and those with a residency application in process.
• Digital Nomad visa holders.
• Business travelers, journalists, and foreign professionals on official invitations.
• Foreigners receiving medical treatment in Costa Rica.

Current status (May 2026):

• The bill is in the early stages of the legislative process, it has NOT been approved and is not currently in effect.
• Frente Amplio holds only 6 seats in the Legislative Assembly, making passage difficult without broad coalition support.
• US and Canadian citizens currently retain their 180-day tourist entry and can begin residency applications from within Costa Rica, this has NOT changed.

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