Costa Rica is a prosperous Central American state, washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and representing a real tropical reserve. Since 2014, the country's authorities have decided to abolish visas for Russian tourists. Nothing has changed in 2021, and the visa-free regime continues to operate. The fast pace of economic development, magnificent nature and beach resorts make this place a very attractive place to live.
Waterfall in the forests of Costa Rica. It is one of the smallest countries in Central America. It is well suited for lovers of eco-tourism: many natural complexes are concentrated on its territory. A beautiful waterfall falls in the forests, which is very loved by the locals. From the parking lot to the water it is several kilometers through the forest. The waterfall falls with enormous force, forming a pool of cold water.
Do I need a visa to Costa Rica?
If the purpose of travel to Costa Rica for citizens of the Russian Federation is tourism, transit, a business trip or visiting close relatives, then an entry document will not be required. In this case, the period of stay is measured at 30 days. In other cases (study, work, etc.) you need to contact the country’s Consulate, since a special visa to Costa Rica is required.
Suspension bridge in Costa Rica. Suspension bridges in Costa Rica are one of the most beautiful and environmentally friendly projects in the country. Once on the bridge, in the virgin rainforest, you can see many exotic flowers and birds migrating from South America to North America and back.
Entry into the territory without a permit is possible upon presentation of a valid passport and return tickets. In some cases, airport employees have the right to find out about the availability of accommodation reservations and sufficient funds in the account.
Entry rules to Costa Rica for Ukrainians and CIS citizens
For Ukrainians, a visa to Costa Rica is not issued in the same way as for Russian citizens.
For Belarusians, Kazakhstanis and other citizens of CIS countries, you need to submit documents to the consular department of Costa Rica in person or through an authorized representative. You can pick up your completed visa there, but a few weeks later.
To obtain permission to enter the country you need:
- A valid passport that expires no earlier than six months after crossing the Costa Rican border. Also make a photocopy of it, pages with your data are required.
- Visa application form in two copies. One is filled out in Spanish and the other in English.
- Two photos.
- Certificate from place of study or work.
- A certificate from the bank that will provide information about the status of the account. To travel to this country, you need an amount equal to the minimum subsistence level for the period you plan to stay there. On average, about 400 US dollars.
- Certificate from the internal affairs bodies confirming no criminal record. It must be translated and endorsed.
- Copies of air tickets indicating the date of return flight, as well as hotel reservations or real estate rental agreements.
- In some cases, you may need a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever or the presence of contraindications for vaccination.
Minor children who have their own foreign passports must also obtain a visa. A children's entry document is issued for them. You can get a visa in Moscow.
The building housing the Costa Rican Embassy
The consular section operates according to a general schedule: every weekday from half past ten in the morning to half past five in the evening. Current information can be obtained by calling 415-40-14 and 415-40-42, area code 495.
Types of visas
To obtain a visa to Costa Rica, you need to contact the country's Consulate with the necessary papers. For each type of visa, there are additional documents that you should not forget about.
Work Visa
There is no special work visa. Instead, a temporary residence permit is required. You will need to apply for a visa for 90 days, after which you can start looking for work (or work), apply to extend your stay in the state and obtain a temporary residence permit. In this case, for a work visa you need to collect the following documents:
- An official letter in which you request a temporary residence permit. Provide details and the reason why you need a residence permit.
- A document confirming your acceptance of a job or the company’s readiness to provide you with this work.
- A certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs stating that you have undergone the fingerprinting procedure.
You must also make copies of documents translated into Spanish.
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and is famous for its colonial buildings, museums and scenic views. In San Jose there is a gold museum, not far from the Plaza de la Culture. It features gold jewelry and items created by Indians. Some exhibits were created in the 5th century BC.
student visa
Students are free to enter Costa Rica, but they still need to verify their status. You do not need to contact the Embassy; instead, all necessary documentation can be submitted to the educational institution. To do this, contact the department for foreign students of the selected university.
Additionally, for a study visa to Costa Rica for Russians, you must provide the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- a copy of the completed pages of the international passport;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- certificate of fingerprinting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- two standard size photographs.
The university independently submits an application for a residence permit after receiving documents from you.
On the main street of San Jose you can find many architectural structures in the colonial style.
Transit visa
For a transit entry permit, Russians do not need to submit an application to the Embassy. It is enough to have a valid passport and tickets to your final destination.
San Jose International Airport. One of the largest airports in California. The airport has 3 parallel runways. Located in the city of San Jose, 3 km north of the historical center - Downtown. Therefore, in the city center it seems that planes are landing directly above the houses themselves and almost touching the spiers of temples, high-rise buildings and redwood trees.
Work Visa
The visa to Costa Rica for those who come to work has been replaced by a residence permit. For the first time, a Russian enters the territory of the state according to the general rules, having 90 days of visa-free stay in reserve. Next, you need to apply for a special permit.
List of documents:
- An invitation from an employer, an employment contract or an official letter that confirms the company’s readiness to hire a foreigner.
- An application indicating the personal data of the foreign citizen, planned activities, employer contacts, proposed position, deadlines. .
- Certificate from internal affairs officers confirming that the applicant has undergone fingerprinting.
- Checks and receipts for payment of state duty.
- International passport. In addition, attach a copy of the main spread.
- Three recent photographs in standard format.
- Birth certificate (for foreigners of any age).
- Certificate of no criminal record for 3 years prior to the date of application.
The documents are translated into Spanish and officially certified by a notary.
The residence permit does not limit the holder’s time of stay in the country. The residence permit is valid for a year or more. The state fee for obtaining a residence permit is $30.
This is what a residence permit looks like
Other types of visas
Pension entry permit
The Pensionado program for retirees in Costa Rica has been in operation for over 40 years.
An applicant who wishes to use this visa must have a fixed lifetime pension, Social Security or military pay that is at least $1,000 per month or $12,000 per year. The program has no age restrictions; the main requirement is a guaranteed financial benefit. This visa must be renewed annually as the government wants to ensure the applicant's solvency.
Costa Rica is home to noisy parrots, amazing toucans and funny sloths. Costa Rica means “rich coast” in Spanish. Here you can hear how the toucan makes characteristic sounds with the help of its huge beak. It looks menacing, but in fact the toucan is a peace-loving bird and feeds mainly on fruits. In Costa Rica, they can be found in the forests of the Caribbean and on the Pacific side.
Investment visa
This entry permit may be suitable for Russians running small businesses. To be able to use the document, the state puts forward a requirement: confirm a stable monthly income of at least 2.5 thousand dollars per month. To do this, you need to open a deposit in one of the banks in Costa Rica, the amount of which must be at least 60 thousand dollars over two years.
The visa is valid for two years, after which the user needs to renew it and make a new deposit in the bank.
Poas is a stratovolcano in central Costa Rica. The territory of the volcano is a national park in Costa Rica. It was founded in 1971 and its area is 65 km². The maximum height of the volcano is 2700 meters. Poas has three craters, of which two are inactive. The crater of one of them is a picturesque ice lake. Its diameter is 360 meters. In the park you can find many animals and plants.
Types of visas and rules for their application
If a Russian citizen wants to stay in Costa Rica for more than 90 days, an additional permit is required. Visas must be issued for work, study, residence of pensioners, family reunion.
Work Visa
To work in the country, the visa has been replaced by a residence permit. To obtain it, provide the following documents:
- invitation or employment agreement from the employer;
- a statement with information about the type of work, its duration and details of the employer;
- certificate of fingerprinting from the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- international passport;
- birth certificate;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- photographs (3.5x4.5).
All documents are provided in Spanish and are notarized. There is a registration fee of $30 US. A residence permit gives you the opportunity to stay in the country for an unlimited time. Finding a job in Costa Rica is not easy. Mainly maintenance personnel are required. But the pay for such vacancies is low. Teachers, doctors, engineers, and medical equipment specialists are more in demand. A prerequisite for the job is fluency in Spanish.
student visa
For enrollment in educational institutions in Costa Rica, a residence permit is also issued.
This is done by special departments operating in each educational institution. They are interested in obtaining all the required permits. Papers are sent there directly. There is no need to contact the embassy.
Required documents:
- passport and its copy;
- document on fingerprinting of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- birth certificate;
- two color photographs (3.5x4.5);
- paper confirming no criminal record.
After everything that is needed has been collected, the university asks to provide the student with a residence permit for the duration of their studies.
List of required documents
To obtain a visa to Costa Rica, contact the Consulate and provide the following documents:
- A foreign passport with at least two blank pages and a validity period of more than six months from the date of intended crossing of the state border (an old-style foreign passport is also valid).
- A copy of the pages of your foreign passport containing your personal data.
- Application form completed in English or Spanish; Your signature must be at the end.
- Standard passport size photographs (2 pcs.).
- Original or regular printout confirming your hotel reservation.
- Proof of solvency in the form of a bank account statement or credit card.
- A certificate from your place of employment indicating your position and monthly salary.
- Two-way air tickets or confirmation of their reservation.
In addition to the basic certificates listed, you will need a number of additional papers to obtain a work or student visa.
Entry stamp to Costa Rica. For visa-free entry, the length of stay is set by a representative of the Migration Service, who must present the necessary documents (passport, air tickets, housing reservations, finances). The stamp indicates the date of border crossing, which monitors compliance with the period of permitted stay in the country.
Rules for visa-free entry
Previously, you had to get a visa to travel. It took a lot of time. In 2014, the visa to Costa Rica for Russians was canceled. You were allowed to stay in the country for 30 days. From 2021, this period has been extended to 90 days. When leaving the country, you must pay a fee of $29. Sometimes it is included in the price of the air ticket. Travel to this oasis of untouched nature is in demand.
Documents for adults
You must have with you:
- a passport with a validity period of more than 180 days after the end of stay;
- hotel reservation document or invitation;
- return air tickets;
- document on solvency.
Additional papers for minors
Children must have a foreign passport. Very young tourists (up to 12 years old) can be included in their parents’ passport. You must take with you a copy of the birth certificate and a 3.5x4.5 photograph of the child. If a minor is traveling with one of the parents, permission to travel from the other spouse will be required. When a group of children travels without parents, permission is required from both parents for each child. All papers are certified by a notary.
In 2021, Russians can travel to Costa Rica with Canadian, American, Japanese, South Korean and Schengen visas. These permits must be valid for six months after arrival in the country. With these visas you can stay for a maximum of a month.
Airlines are not always aware of the visa-free regime for Russians. To avoid misunderstandings, it is recommended to take with you a translation of the resolution on the abolition of visas for Russian citizens, translated into English. Since 2021, Belarusians and Ukrainians can also visit Costa Rica without a visa.
Visa validity period
A tourist visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue of the visa. Student and pension - 1 year, and then extended for the same period. Investment - 2 years.
Casado is a traditional dish in Costa Rica. This is one of the typical dishes of Costa Rica and means “married”. Traditionally, Costa Ricans grew beans and corn, beans and wheat, sugar cane and cocoa.
Visa extension on the spot
When the period of visa-free stay in the country or the validity of a visa document expires, you can apply for an extension. To do this, you must come to the Main Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, which is located under the Ministry of Public Security.
One of the beaches of Costa Rica. The southern part of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is characterized by mangrove beaches, captivating with their magnificent greenery. There are also calm, secluded beaches for relaxation. Near such places in the villages there are small restaurants, as well as small but cozy and clean hotels.
Documents for the child
Traveling with children requires the preparation of additional documents. The child's birth certificate must be attached. You may also be asked to provide a copy of the certificate. Each child must obtain a foreign passport (upon reaching the required age). If you included a child in your document, then prepare a photograph of the minor.
Families with children often come to Costa Rica on vacation - there are beautiful and clean beaches, a tropical climate and unique nature. In San Jose, there is entertainment for holidaymakers with children to suit every taste. Those who love active recreation should visit the Raging Waters water park.
When planning a trip without a second parent, be sure to take care of obtaining permission to leave the country. Such a document must be certified by a notary. The same applies to children traveling accompanied by third parties. A child under 18 years of age does not need his own passport.
Rio Celeste is a waterfall in the rainforests of Costa Rica. The Rio Celeste River is the crown jewel of Tenorio Volcanic National Park in Costa Rica. A special feature of Rio Celeste is its bright blue water. In the vicinity of Rio Celeste there are two active volcanoes, many thermal springs, rivers and waterfalls.
WHAT TO SEE IN COSTA RICA AND THE CAPITAL – SAN JOSE
The impression of the country begins to take shape from the capital - San Jose surprises at first glance with the proximity of different architectural styles, intricately scattered along the streets going into the mountains. While in San Jose, you should definitely visit the Golden Museum , which displays a rich collection of gold items, the Insect Museum , the Jade Museum, the Children's Museum in a former prison building (yes, San Jose can suddenly surprise!) and the National Museum in the old fort , where, in addition to historical and anthropological artifacts, butterflies and exotic plants also live. Excursions to the surrounding area include visits to butterfly farms, hummingbirds, coffee plantations, or excursions to volcanoes.
Entry rules
Customs rules allow you to transport any amount of currency. Large amounts must be declared. You are allowed to carry 0.5 kg of tobacco or 50 cigars, 400 cigarettes, 3 liters of strong alcohol free of charge. Clothes, shoes, and perfumes can be imported only for personal use.
The import of weapons, drugs, and pornography is prohibited. You also cannot take plants, seedlings, seeds, fruits, vegetables and meat products with you. If a passenger is carrying medicine, a doctor's certificate must be presented.
Tortuguero is a national park in Costa Rica, located in the northeastern part of the country, on the Caribbean coast. Most of the territory is occupied by rain forests, practically untouched by humans.
We tried to give an extensive answer about whether a visa is needed for Costa Rica and what are the conditions for entry into this country. Russians have the right to visa-free travel to the state for a short period of time. A tourist applying for a visa can submit the relevant documents to the country's Consulate.
Fruit market in Costa Rica. Agricultural markets open in every city. For this purpose, a wide central street is allocated, which is closed to car traffic. All products must be fresh and only locally produced. Farmers must confirm this requirement with documents. In addition to vegetables and fruits, you can also buy cheese with sour cream, fresh fish, meat or sausages.
