COSTA RICA – Increased Stay Periods

September 11, 2023

The government of Costa Rica has increased the amount of time passport holders from “Group One” visa-exempt countries can stay in Costa Rica for purposes of business or tourism. The Group One countries include the United States and Canada.

Previously, passport holders from the Group One countries could stay in Costa Rica for a maximum period of 90 days. This period has now been doubled to a period of 180 days. One important factor to note for business travelers, is while a wide range of business activities are covered under the business category, any qualifying foreign nationals who will be paid by a Costa Rican company are not permitted to use this category for entry into the country and should seek advice on the proper authorization for their activities.

A main driver of this decision is the desire of the Costa Rican government to boost the country’s tourism sector.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.