Would You Like to Know Whether You Qualify?

At JAROS Costa Rica, we review your remote work activity, the source of your income, bank statements, family group, and required documentation before submitting the application.

Request an initial evaluation through WhatsApp:
+506 7182 8969 | +506 7235 5512

Quick Eligibility Guide

You may be eligible if:

• You work remotely as an employee, independent contractor, professional, or service provider.
• You use digital, computer, telecommunications, or similar technology to perform your work.
• You provide services to individuals or companies located outside Costa Rica.
• You receive your compensation from abroad.
• You can demonstrate stable income during the previous year.
• You have a valid passport and meet the entry requirements applicable to your nationality.
• You can obtain a medical insurance policy valid in Costa Rica for the entire authorized period.

Eligibility must be reviewed individually.

Working with a computer is not enough. The source of the income, regularity of payments, banking documentation, and location of the clients or employers are essential elements.

Minimum Income Requirements

The applicant must demonstrate that they received stable monthly income from abroad during the previous year in the minimum amount of:

• USD 3,000 per month for an individual application.
• USD 4,000 per month when eligible family members are included.

When the stay is requested for a family group, the law allows the required amount to be made up of income received by the principal applicant, spouse, or another eligible family member.

The evidence should be prepared according to the actual source of income and the documentation available.

The income must be capable of continuing even while the applicant is outside their country of origin.

A high account balance does not necessarily replace evidence of regular, stable monthly income from abroad.

How Is Income Demonstrated?

One of the principal methods is to submit bank statements accompanied by a sworn declaration confirming that the statements were requested and obtained from the corresponding financial institution.

The bank statements should make it possible to verify:

• Income received during the previous year.
• The monthly regularity of the payments.
• The foreign source of the funds.
• Compliance with the applicable minimum amount.

Alternatively, a certification may be issued by a Costa Rican Certified Public Accountant or notary public, or by an equivalent foreign professional authorized under the laws of the corresponding country.

When the certification is issued outside Costa Rica, it must be apostilled or legalized.

Documents written in another language must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation.

A Stay Category, Not Immigration Residency

This category falls under non-resident status, in the stay subcategory.

For that reason, it is not equivalent to Temporary or Permanent Residency.

Time spent solely under this stay should not automatically be counted as official residency for the purpose of:

• Applying for Permanent Residency based on accumulated years.
• Applying for Costa Rican citizenship through naturalization.
• Establishing three years as a temporary resident.

Before the authorized stay expires, a person who qualifies for another immigration category may request a change of status.

However, the applicant must independently establish the requirements for Pensionado, Rentista, Investor, family-based residency, an employment category, or another applicable immigration option.

Authorized Work Activities

The beneficiary may continue performing the international remote activity that formed the basis of the application.

The person may:

• Work remotely for a company located outside Costa Rica.
• Provide professional services to foreign clients.
• Maintain international contracts.
• Receive payments or compensation from abroad.
• Use computer and telecommunications tools to perform their activities.

What This Category Does Not Authorize

The stay is not a general work permit for entering the Costa Rican labor market.

The beneficiary is not automatically authorized to:

• Work as an employee of a Costa Rican company.
• Provide paid services to clients located in Costa Rica.
• Receive a salary from a Costa Rican source.
• Carry out local work activities other than those authorized.

Performing work or services different from those authorized may result in cancellation of the immigration status and loss of the associated benefits.

Validity of the Stay

The authorization may be granted for up to one year.

The approval decision will indicate the exact period granted.

After receiving approval, the beneficiary and each dependent have three months to complete the immigration documentation process.

Failure to complete the documentation within that period may lead to the commencement of a cancellation procedure.

To complete the documentation, each person must attend an appointment in person for photographs and biometric data collection and submit the applicable payments, passport, guarantee deposit, and medical insurance policy.

Renewal for an Additional Period

The stay may be renewed once for an additional period of up to one year.

To apply for renewal, the beneficiary must:

• Demonstrate physical presence in Costa Rica for at least 180 days during the period originally granted.
• Establish again that the required income was received from abroad.
• Continue performing the authorized remote work or services.
• Meet the renewal requirements and make the applicable payments.
• Maintain a valid passport and immigration documentation.
• Have medical insurance coverage for the new authorized period.

Renewal is not automatic and must be requested before the current immigration status expires.

Inclusion of Family Members

The principal applicant may request the inclusion of eligible members of the family group, including:

• A spouse.
• A legally recognized domestic partner.
• Children under 25 years of age.
• Children of any age who have a disability.
• Older adults who live with the applicant.

For certain adult dependents, Immigration may verify additional conditions and documentation.

The family relationship must be demonstrated through certificates or documents issued by the competent authority.

Marriage certificates and documents recognizing a domestic partnership generally must have been issued within the previous six months.

Foreign documents must comply with official translation requirements and, when applicable, apostille or legalization requirements.

Each family member must complete their own immigration documentation process.

Mandatory Medical Insurance

The beneficiary must have a medical services policy covering the entire authorized stay in Costa Rica.

The policy must:

• Remain valid during the entire authorized period.
• Provide coverage in Costa Rica.
• Guarantee at least USD 50,000 in medical expense coverage for illnesses while in Costa Rica.
• Clearly identify the insured person.

The insurance may be purchased from an insurer authorized in Costa Rica or through an international policy that meets the established requirements.

When family members are included, each person must have medical coverage.

It should not be assumed that an individual policy automatically covers every dependent.

Administrative Procedure and Timeframes

The application may be filed through the digital platform enabled by the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners or physically at an authorized office.

The regulations provide for:

• An administrative period of 15 calendar days to issue a decision, counted from the submission of a complete application.
• The possibility of one formal request for missing requirements or clarification.
• A period of eight business days to provide the requested information or clarification.

The administrative period may be suspended while the applicant responds to the formal request.

An incomplete application, inconsistencies, or failure to respond on time may cause delays or result in denial and closure of the file.

Government Payments and Costs

When the application is submitted, proof of the initial government payment of USD 100, or its equivalent in Costa Rican colones, must be provided.

After approval, additional payments must be made to complete the immigration documentation process, including:

• The amount specified in the approval decision.
• USD 90 for the application and issuance of the immigration document and the applicable immigration funds.
• The guarantee deposit applicable to the non-resident stay category.

Amounts, bank accounts, and payment procedures should be verified again before making any deposit.

Security Review

The General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners may conduct criminal and police background checks through national and international databases available to it.

When considered necessary, biometric verification may also be performed.

False or altered documents may result in:

• Denial or cancellation of the immigration status.
• Collection of taxes that were previously exempted.
• Fines.
• Other administrative or judicial consequences.

Applicable Benefits

While the immigration status remains valid and all conditions continue to be met, the beneficiary may access certain legal benefits.

Tax Treatment of Foreign Income

Income received from abroad and connected with the authorized remote activity benefits from the exemption established under Law No. 10008.

For these purposes, the beneficiary is not treated as an ordinary tax resident, and the qualifying income is not considered Costa Rican-source income.

This tax benefit does not automatically extend to members of the family group.

A family member who also works remotely and wishes to obtain the tax benefit should consider filing a separate application as a principal beneficiary.

Costa Rican-source income, local business activities, investments, corporations, properties, and other financial circumstances may receive different tax treatment.

Independent tax advice is recommended when the applicant has additional economic activities in Costa Rica.

Driver’s License

A valid driver’s license issued in the beneficiary’s country of origin may be used in Costa Rica during the validity of the immigration status, subject to the applicable rules.

Opening Bank Accounts

The law allows beneficiaries to open savings accounts within the Costa Rican banking system.

Account opening remains subject to each financial institution’s identification, due diligence, and anti-money laundering requirements.

Importation of Work Equipment

The beneficiary may bring basic personal equipment required to perform remote work, subject to the legal conditions.

Eligible equipment may include:

• One personal computer.
• One mobile phone.
• One tablet.
• One camera.
• One sound recording or reproduction device and its accessories.

Equipment entering as part of personal luggage may be exempt from taxes within the applicable limits.

Other equipment may require a separate tax exemption procedure.

Before transferring the equipment or leaving it permanently in Costa Rica, the beneficiary should review and, when applicable, pay the taxes that were previously exempted.

General Application Requirements

Requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s nationality, location when filing, and family composition.

In general, the application may include:

• A properly signed application form.
• Proof of the initial USD 100 payment.
• A copy of the biographical page of the valid passport.
• A copy of the page containing the Costa Rican entry stamp when the applicant is already in the country.
• A valid consular or restricted visa when required based on nationality.
• Bank statements covering the previous year and the corresponding sworn declaration.
• An alternative professional income certification when that method is used.
• Apostille or legalization of a foreign certification.
• Official Spanish translations of documents issued in another language.
• Documentation establishing the family relationship of dependents.
• Medical insurance for the documentation process and for every family member.
• Any other documents required to verify identity, security, or compliance with the program.

Names, passport numbers, dates of birth, and all other personal information must be consistent throughout the documentation.

Situations That May Affect the Application

Potential difficulties include:

• Bank statements that do not cover the previous year.
• Income below the applicable minimum.
• Payments whose foreign source cannot be identified.
• Irregular deposits that do not demonstrate stable monthly income.
• Incomplete or inconsistent sworn declarations.
• Foreign certifications without apostille or legalization.
• Documents in another language without official translation.
• Differences in names, dates, passport numbers, or other personal information.
• Expired or insufficient family documents.
• Medical insurance coverage below USD 50,000.
• Insurance that does not cover the entire authorized period.
• Work or services provided to Costa Rican clients or companies.
• Failure to complete documentation within three months of approval.
• Failure to complete the minimum 180 days of physical presence required for renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does This Category Allow Me to Work for a Costa Rican Company?

No.

The paid activity must be performed for people or companies located outside Costa Rica, and the payment must come from abroad.

Does the Stay Automatically Lead to Permanent Residency?

No.

It is a non-resident status.

To remain in Costa Rica after the program, the person must apply for another immigration category for which they qualify.

Must the Medical Insurance Be Purchased Before the Application Is Filed?

Medical coverage is a mandatory condition of the program and must be presented to complete the documentation process after approval.

Before purchasing a policy, it is advisable to confirm that it meets the required amount, territorial coverage, and period.

May I Include My Family?

Yes, when the family members meet the legal definition, monthly income of at least USD 4,000 is established, and the corresponding documents are submitted.

How Long Must I Remain in Costa Rica to Renew?

You must demonstrate physical presence in Costa Rica for at least 180 days during the period originally granted.

Let Us Review Your Eligibility

A Digital Nomad application requires more than demonstrating that a person works with a computer.

It is necessary to review the income, bank documentation, sworn declaration, medical coverage, and circumstances of each member of the family group.

At JAROS Costa Rica, we can assist you with:

• An initial evaluation of eligibility.
• Reviewing your remote employment or professional activity.
• Analyzing the source and stability of your income.
• Reviewing bank statements.
• Preparing the sworn declaration.
• Coordinating accounting or notarial certifications.
• Reviewing apostilles, legalizations, and translations.
• Reviewing family group documentation.
• Guidance on selecting an insurance policy that meets the requirements.
• Preparing, organizing, and submitting the application.
• Following up on the process and responding to formal requests.
• Coordinating the immigration documentation process.
• Preparing the renewal application.
• Evaluating other immigration categories for the future.

 

 

Request an Initial Evaluation of Your Case

If you work remotely for clients or companies abroad and receive your income from outside Costa Rica, our team can review your circumstances and guide you through every stage of the process.

JAROS Costa Rica – Immigration Experts

WhatsApp: +506 7182 8969 | +506 7235 5512
Email: info@jaroscr.com
Website: www.jaroscr.com

The information on this page is general in nature and does not replace an individual legal or tax evaluation. Requirements, forms, payments, platforms, and administrative criteria may be modified by the competent authorities.