8 things to know about the Costa Rica digital nomad visa

The prolonged-predicted Costa Rica digital nomad visa has at last been built law, following Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves signed off on the laws this week, subsequent the inclusion of modifications to make it far more obtainable and much easier to use.

Formally regarded as the ‘Law to Attract Personnel and Distant Suppliers of Global Solutions,’ the electronic nomad visa was first authorised by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica in July 2021 and originally signed into law by Chaves’ predecessor Carlos Alvarado in August.

Even so, correct implementation of the visa was held up by considerations elevated amongst government departments that the prerequisites were being also restrictive, prompting modifications to be made to relieve the software process and loosen up its ailments. It will arrive into force when the textual content of the regulation is released in the the formal govt newspaper, La Gaceta.

SEE ALSO: Locate an employer of document for payroll outsourcing in Costa Rica

The legislation is a single of a range of steps the Costa Rican govt has taken considering that the onset of the pandemic to inspire overseas financial commitment and visitors back again to the country, and is a single among the many examples of visas currently being released close to Latin America and the Caribbean to attract distant personnel.

The signing off of the law on July 6 introduces a number of changes to the initial laws that make it noticeably less complicated to receive a Costa Rica digital nomad visa. Under, 8 crucial features of the visa and software method are highlighted:

1. A prison file verify is NOT mandatory

A person of the most noteworthy modifications to the Costa Rica digital nomad visa is the elimination of the need for a felony history examine. That claims to be a important time saver for many candidates, because getting a legal record history look at can occasionally be a delayed approach.

It is significant to observe that it doesn’t imply all candidates will always be granted the visa with no acquiring their criminal history checked. For the reason that Costa Rican authorities are even now able to insist on these kinds of checks if they deem it realistic to do so. But it is now at their discretion, instead than compulsory.

2. The Costa Rica electronic nomad visa demands a least earnings

One of the key criterions for receiving a digital nomad visa is currently being equipped to prove that you satisfy the bare minimum income threshold. For everyone planning to shift to the state by yourself, that suggests earnings of at minimum US $3,000 for every month, though anybody bringing a lover or family members need to be earning US $4,000. Any person set to be granted a visa as component of an applicatin need to also have well being coverage.

Demonstrating earnings entails delivering original bank statements that confirm the applicant has continually fulfilled the appropriate threshold via an affidavit, which the US embassy in Costa Rica defines as a “written or printed declaration or statement of points, designed voluntarily, and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the particular person making it, taken just before a consular officer possessing authority to administer these kinds of an oath.”

3. The visa presents big tax breaks

A key draw of the Costa Rica electronic nomad visa is the truth it comes with comprehensive cash flow tax exemption for the holder, as perfectly as exemption from import taxes for the importation of pcs and other equipment the holder needs to undertake their career, as well as up to two automobiles.

It is worth noting that whilst partners or dependents will be permitted to use any motor vehicle introduced in cost-free of import tax, they will not get pleasure from profits tax exemption, which only applies to the principal visa holder.

4. Paperwork will have to be professionally translated

Any files necessary as section of the software course of action that do not originally appear in Spanish will have to have to be translated by an accredited translator inside Costa Rica or the applicant’s place of origin, or by a registered Costa Rican notary.

This stipulation does not use to passports.

5. You no for a longer period want apostilles to get a Costa Rica electronic nomad visa

Earlier the digital nomad visa essential documents to be apostilled — a form of authentication acknowledged around the world which can in some cases take months to acquire. Now, having said that, files can now be authenticated with an affidavit.

That is a substantially easier prerequisite, meant to slash down the bureacracy and time included in obtaining the visa.

6. An inital software will be processed speedily

To commence the application procedure for a Costa Rica digital nomad visa, candidates can stop by the Trámite Ya system, in which they will be able to complete the on the net kind, which involves publishing primary private information and facts and a quantity of own and lawful files.

Once the application has been submitted, authorities will then have a utmost of 15 times to take or reject the application — a stipulation imposed to hasten the processing time. 

7. You have minimal time to get your immigration accredited 

Once an application has to begin with been granted the applicant can enter the nation, on arrival they will have a few months to system their immigration accreditation doc. That will involve a confront-to-encounter appointment at the offices of the country’s migration authority.

Throughout that appointment, photographs and biometric data will be taken, and other personalized and lawful documents ought to be offered.

8. Extending a Costa Rica electronic nomad visa involves a minimum remain

The Costa Rica electronic nomad visa is supposed to entice remote staff, in portion due to the fact their buying electric power within just the state will be a strengthen for the financial system. To that close, stipulations for renewal have been integrated to inspire holders to stay in the country for at least 50 percent of the time they maintain the visa.

A visa will be initially granted for a period of 12 months, which can then be extended for a more 12 months. However, holders will only be granted an extension if they are been in the place for a minimum amount of 180 times for the duration of the first 12 months.

Biz Latin Hub can aid you doing business enterprise in Costa Rica

At Biz Latin Hub, we give a array of expert expert services all through Latin The united states and the Caribbean, with groups in additional than a dozen crucial towns about the area, including Costa Rica’s money metropolis San Jose.

Our comprehensive portfolio of back-business office companies includes company development, accounting & taxation, using the services of & PEO, and authorized products and services, so we can offer a personalized services agreement to accommodate a broad array of desires.

Get hold of us now to obtain out more about how we can guide you. 

If this post on the new Costa Rica electronic nomad visa was of curiosity to you, verify out the rest of our coverage of this affluent Central American region. Or study about our workforce and pro authors.

*Lewis McLeod contributed to this article