Costa Rica’s digital nomad program is a non-resident estancia for remote workers serving people or businesses outside Costa Rica. It can provide up to one year in the country, with one additional year available if renewal conditions are met. It is a separate status from temporary or permanent residency.
This guide explains the application evidence, fees, insurance and renewal rules. For longer-term plans, also read our guide to residency after the digital nomad program.
Income and remote-work requirements
The published threshold is US$3,000 per month for an individual, or US$4,000 when applying with an eligible family group. The work must be performed remotely for a person or business outside Costa Rica, with payment coming from abroad. Having money in a savings account alone does not establish that you are a qualifying remote worker.
Law 10008 describes stable remuneration, fixed income or an average monthly income during the preceding year. Its family provision allows qualifying family income to be combined. The official application checklist asks for evidence covering the previous year: bank statements accompanied by a sworn declaration, or an appropriate professional certification. If income varies, have the actual records checked against the rule and checklist before filing.
Documents to prepare
- A signed application form for the applicant, and the relevant family applications where applicable.
- A valid passport copy showing identity details and, if already in Costa Rica, the entry information requested by the checklist.
- The government payment receipt.
- The required income evidence and declaration or certification.
- Documents establishing any eligible family relationships.
- Spanish translations of documents issued in another language, following the official requirements.
The official checklist specifically addresses apostille or consular legalization for a foreign professional income certification. Do not assume every uploaded bank statement needs an apostille, or that the general residency document checklist automatically applies to this program. DGME also conducts security checks.
Application fees and submission
The official application page lists a US$100 government payment, or its equivalent in colones. It does not say payments must only be in colones. Check the official payment instructions directly and allow for bank charges so the full required amount arrives. Each applicant’s payment must be identifiable.
Submit through the official Trámite Ya platform or the in-person route described by DGME. Keep the application, attachments, receipt and file number. The initial payment is not a complete quotation for the entire process: documentation charges, insurance, translations and any applicable guarantee deposit must be checked separately.
Processing and approval
Article 7 of Law 10008 sets a 15-calendar-day decision period and provides for a request to correct or complete an application. Such a request suspends the decision clock and gives the applicant up to eight working days to respond. This is a statutory procedure, not a promise that your application and final document will be completed within 15 days.
Read the actual approval notice for documentation steps and deadlines. Do not confuse notification of approval with arrival in Costa Rica or assume they start the same deadline.
Medical insurance
The program requires medical insurance for the applicant and included family members throughout the authorized stay. Confirm that the policy meets DGME’s coverage conditions and that the insurer supplies the necessary evidence. An existing travel policy should be checked rather than assumed sufficient.
Renewal: the law specifies 180 days
Article 15 requires at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the originally granted year to qualify for the additional year. One official tourism renewal page displays “80 days”; this conflicts with the current consolidated law. This guide follows the law’s 180-day requirement. Keep an entry-and-exit record and confirm the renewal checklist with DGME before making travel plans.
Renewal also requires continued eligibility and the relevant income, passport, insurance and payment evidence. It is not automatic, and the program does not provide indefinite annual renewals.
Benefits have limits
Law 10008 provides benefits concerning qualifying foreign income, necessary work equipment, a valid home-country driving licence and access to savings accounts. Each benefit has its own scope. The tax benefit does not automatically extend to dependants, equipment exemptions are not a blanket exemption for household goods, and banks must still carry out their compliance checks.
The program does not authorize unrelated local paid work. Consult a qualified tax adviser about obligations outside Costa Rica and any change in your status. See our digital nomad banking guide for account preparation.
Can you apply for residency later?
Yes, Article 15 permits an application to change category before the benefit expires when the relevant requirements are met. This is not automatic conversion into residency. Choose the category you actually qualify for and prepare its separate evidence; the nomad income threshold is not a universal residency requirement.
For help reviewing your immigration options, contact CRIE at +506 8706 3888 on WhatsApp or info@crie.cr.
Official sources and review date
Reviewed 8 September 2026 against Law 10008, current consolidated text in the government legal database, and the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s application requirements. DGME is the deciding authority: official immigration website. Direct DGME access was unavailable during this review; the law and official tourism guidance were checked instead.