Yes… and no. Technically, the digital nomad visa is neither a residency type nor an actual visa; it’s an estancia. In Costa Rica, an estancia is essentially a right to reside – somewhere in between being a tourist and a resident.

Many! While it’s not officially a residency category, the digital nomad visa offers many of the same benefits as residency. These include: 

•     Legal Right to Reside: As a tourist, you could stay for a maximum 90 days in Costa Rica. The digital nomad visa extends that for up to one year, renewable for an additional year.
•     Costa Rican Driver’s License: Your home country’s driver’s license is only valid for as long as your passport stamp (max: 90 days). As a digital nomad, you are permitted to use your home country’s license for the duration of your visa term.
•     Tax exemptions: You will be exempt from Costa Rican income tax, import taxes on work-related electronics and telecommunications equipment, and more.
•     Ease of Daily Life: Life is just easier as a resident. For example, you’ll be able to open local bank accounts and get a cell phone line.

The most basic requirements are simple: You must have an income of $3,000/month (individual) or $4,000/month (couple/family). Your income must originate outside of Costa Rica.

This is one of the easier immigration processes, actually. (The requirements were simplified, rather than made more complicated!) The requirements are the following:

• An application, which can be made through the government’s Tramite ¡YA! online portal (or via your attorney);
• Proof of income ($3,000/month for a single or $4,000 a month for couples and families) from outside Costa Rica;
• Heath insurance for a minimum $50,000 in coverage, for the duration of your stay; 
• Receipt of $100 payment for each applicant; and
• A copy of your passport photo page and entry stamp to Costa Rica (the visa provides an initial 6-month to one-year extension of your initial 90 days).

Additionally, if any of your documentation is issued in a language other than Spanish, it must be officially translated.

If you’re applying as a couple or family, then you’ll have a few additional requirements. In addition to the $4,000 income requirement and all the above requirements, you must also provide: 

• A marriage certificate or document to certify your civil union (either must be issued within the last 6 months); 
• Birth certificates for any dependent minors (up to age 25 or with disabilities); and
• A sworn declaration of your bond and coexistence.

Again, any documentation issued in any language other than Spanish must be officially translated.