Costa Rica's Law 10008 visa can be applied for at a Costa Rican consulate abroad or directly at the DGME office in San José on a tourist stamp. The in-country route is usually faster and is the default choice for most Western nationalities.
Option A — In-country via DGME (recommended)
Step 1 — Enter Costa Rica on tourist stamp
Most Western passports receive 90-day tourist stamps on arrival. Plan 2–3 weeks buffer after arrival for document preparation and application.
Step 2 — Prepare income documentation
Gather 12 months of:
- Bank statements showing monthly income of $3,000+ ($4,000+ for family)
- Employer letter confirming remote-work status and salary
- Service agreements or business registration (if self-employed)
- Tax returns from home country
Step 3 — Obtain supporting documents
- Criminal record certificate from home country (apostilled, within 6 months of issue)
- Health insurance policy ($50k+ coverage including repatriation, valid 12 months, covering Costa Rica)
- Rental agreement or long-term accommodation proof in Costa Rica (minimum 3 months)
Step 4 — Translate documents to Spanish
Required for non-Spanish documents (employment letters, criminal records). Use a certified Costa Rican translator (traductor oficial). Cost: $30–80 per document.
Step 5 — Submit at DGME office in San José
Visit the DGME headquarters in La Uruca, San José. Submit the application packet, pay the $250 fee, provide biometrics. Office hours: Monday–Friday 8 AM – 4 PM. Booking an appointment online (migracion.go.cr) speeds the visit.
Step 6 — Wait for decision (30–60 days)
DGME processes applications in 30–60 days. You will be notified by email or mail. Complete applications with clean documentation usually land at 30–45 days.
Step 7 — Receive residency card (DIMEX)
Upon approval, visit DGME again (or the office where you submitted) to receive the DIMEX residency card. Cost ~$50 for the card itself.
Step 8 — Post-arrival admin
- CCSS enrollment — required for visa holders. Voluntary contribution rate ~$100–200/month.
- Bank account — BAC San José, Scotiabank Costa Rica, or local options accept nomad visa holders.
- Cédula de Residencia — the residency card itself, essential for daily activities.
Option B — Consular application
If you prefer to apply from outside Costa Rica:
- Book appointment at Costa Rican consulate in your country of legal residence.
- Submit same document packet + $250 fee.
- Decision typically 45–90 days depending on consulate.
- On approval, you receive a visa sticker. Travel to Costa Rica and complete DIMEX registration.
Timeline at a glance
| Phase | In-country | Consular |
|---|---|---|
| Document preparation | 3–6 weeks | 3–6 weeks |
| Translation + apostille | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Application submission + decision | 30–60 days | 45–90 days |
| DIMEX card issuance | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks after arrival |
| Total | 8–16 weeks | 12–22 weeks |
Common rejection reasons
- Income below threshold in any of the last 3 months.
- Missing apostille on criminal record.
- Untranslated documents — DGME is strict about Spanish translation.
- Short-term accommodation only — less than 2-3 months insufficient.
- Insurance gaps — policy doesn't cover Costa Rica or full 12-month term.