Vamos Overseas

    Costa Rica digital-nomad non-resident stay

    Remote foreign work, USD 3,000 monthly or USD 4,000 with family: non-resident estancia, insurance, financial proof and renewal requirements.

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    Eligibility and legal basis

    Law 10008 (2021) and Executive Decree 43619-H-MGP-TUR (2022) regulate a NON-RESIDENT estancia for remote workers and service providers, not temporary or permanent residence under Law 8764. [DGME / PGR]

    Key facts

    StatusNon-resident estancia
    Minimum evidenceUSD 3,000.00/month
    Duration1 year, renewable once for 1 additional year

    Category-specific evidence

    1. Provide evidence of paid remote services using digital or telecommunications tools for persons or companies outside Costa Rica. Income must come from abroad: at least USD 3,000 per month individually or USD 4,000 with eligible dependents. Local Costa Rican clients are not the premise of this category. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    2. Submit prior-year bank statements with the required sworn declaration, or the accepted certification by a public accountant or notary or equivalent professional abroad. ICT specifies authentication/apostille for the foreign certification; follow the actual checklist instead of imposing a blanket residency-document bundle. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    3. Complete the signed application, passport biographical page and entry-stamp page if already in Costa Rica. Supply any nationality-specific entry visa and the initial government payment receipt. A representative needs a power of attorney; ICT allows direct filing without a mandatory lawyer. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    4. For documentation, arrange medical insurance covering the entire authorized stay with at least USD 50,000 coverage under the official scheme. Include eligible dependents as required and translate foreign-language documents into accepted Spanish. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    5. The estancia lasts one year and may be renewed for one further year subject to the scheme’s conditions. Renewal requires at least 80 days in Costa Rica during the previous authorized stay; keep evidence of income, insurance and presence. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

    Conditional documents and dependents

    1. For eligible family members, confirm the relationship, age and dependency criteria before including them; provide marriage or birth certificates and any required dependency, custody or disability evidence. A principal applicant’s eligibility does not automatically approve the whole family. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    2. Foreign public documents require apostille or consular legalization where applicable and an accepted Spanish translation. Match names and passport numbers throughout; resolve discrepancies before submission. Confirm validity at the filing date with DGME. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    3. If a representative files, supply a valid power of attorney. Additional documents may be requested after review; respond within the notified deadline and keep the category’s financial evidence current. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

    Application process

    1. Assess eligibility and your nationality’s entry rules before committing funds or travelling. Choose temporary residence or the distinct digital-nomad estancia on its actual conditions, not on marketing claims. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    2. Verify the current checklist with DGME, assemble authenticated originals and translations, and submit through the accepted channel. Keep your receipt and track notifications; a filed application is not an approved permit. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    3. Answer requests for clarification or additional evidence. Following approval, complete documentation, insurance or CAJA steps as applicable and pay the remaining official charges. Do not assume approval grants unrestricted work. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
    4. Plan renewal before the authorized period expires. Keep investment, income or pension evidence current; for nomads check the separate presence requirement. Permanent residence and naturalization have their own conditions and are never automatic. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

    Costs and cautions

    ICT lists an initial US$100 government application payment per applicant. Bank charges, documentation-stage charges, translations and insurance are separate; verify the current instructions before paying. No invented legal-service fee is offered. Tax rules specific to this estancia are not the same as Law 9996 investor incentives. [DGME / ICT]

    Frequently asked questions

    Is this a residence or citizenship programme?
    No. It is non-resident estancia for foreign remote services, not permanent residence or a naturalization shortcut.
    Can I apply without a lawyer?
    Yes. ICT describes direct submission through Tramite Ya or accepted in-person channels; a representative is optional.
    How much income does a family need?
    At least USD 4,000 monthly from qualifying foreign remote work when eligible dependents apply, rather than the individual USD 3,000 threshold.
    What is required for renewal?
    The scheme permits one further year and requires at least 80 days in Costa Rica during the previous stay, plus the current renewal evidence.

    Official sources

    Informational guidance, not legal advice. Translations are editorial and not independently lawyer-reviewed. DGME decides applications; requirements and charges must be reconfirmed before filing. No approval, processing time or citizenship outcome is guaranteed.

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    Costa Rica digital-nomad non-resident stay

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