Costa Rica's Law 10008 visa has moderate documentation requirements. The income bar ($3,000/mo single, $4,000/mo family) is accessible to most Western remote workers, and the paperwork — while requiring apostilles — is predictable.
Eligibility
- Non-Costa Rican national, aged 18+.
- Remote work or freelance for employers/clients outside Costa Rica.
- Minimum monthly income: $3,000 USD individual; $4,000 USD for family.
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining).
- Health insurance covering Costa Rica for the full visa period.
- Clean criminal record from home country.
Income threshold and evidence
| Applicant type | Monthly threshold | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Applicant + family | $4,000 | $48,000 |
Evidence: last 12 months of bank statements showing consistent deposits meeting the threshold. Employer letters confirming salary and remote-work status. Savings alone do not substitute for income — the visa specifically tests recurring earnings.
Document checklist
- Passport with 6+ months validity (certified copy)
- Completed visa application form (in Spanish; Costa Rican consulates typically provide templates)
- 12 months of bank statements showing $36,000+ (or $48,000+ for family)
- Employer letter or business registration proving remote-work status
- Criminal record from country of nationality (apostilled, translated to Spanish)
- Health insurance covering Costa Rica, minimum $50,000 medical + repatriation, valid for 12 months
- Proof of accommodation in Costa Rica (rental agreement or hotel booking for initial stay)
- Passport-sized photos
- Application fee $250 (money order or certified check typically)
Application routes
- Consular application at a Costa Rican consulate in your country of legal residence. Slower but traditional.
- In-country application via the DGME office in San José while visiting on tourist stamp. Faster for most Western passports that get 90 days tourist access. The default route for nomads not traveling back to their home country.
Family application
Dependents (spouse, registered partner, children under 18) apply together with the main applicant. Each dependent has separate filing but bundled processing. Birth and marriage certificates must be apostilled and translated.
Common rejection reasons
- Income below threshold in any recent month.
- Missing apostille on criminal record.
- Insurance coverage below $50,000 or missing repatriation.
- Short-term accommodation only — AirBnB reservations under 2 months often rejected.
- Prior Costa Rican overstays.