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Costa Rica

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
4,301
Top destination, 2023
United States
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
105,024
UK visas issued, 2025
148
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
2.2%
NationalityCRISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<CRCOSTA<RICA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
CR5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Costa Rica need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 30 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Costa Rica move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. United States2,570
  2. Germany376
  3. Mexico337
  4. Canada265
  5. Chile117
  6. Netherlands108
  7. Italy78
  8. Switzerland75
  9. Japan67
  10. France59
  11. Hungary40
  12. Austria37
  13. Denmark29
  14. Belgium28
  15. Sweden24

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

2,5115,022200020032006200920122015201820212023
2,5115,0222000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20001,711
20012,136
20022,286
20031,869
20042,578
20053,170
20064,353
20073,982
20083,440
20093,681
20103,562
20113,603
20123,493
20133,895
20143,684
20153,835
20164,226
20174,269
20184,500
20194,812
20202,889
20213,578
20225,022
20234,301
Share going to the top destination
59.8%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Costa Rica who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Panama14,218
  2. Nicaragua11,707
  3. Canada5,117
  4. Mexico4,592
  5. Colombia2,070
  6. Italy1,840
  7. Guatemala1,373
  8. Chile1,067
  9. Venezuela1,012
  10. Peru912
  11. El Salvador901
  12. Honduras895

Living abroad by year

25k51k19901995200020052010201520202024
25k51k19902000201020202024
Data table
199022,922
199522,763
200026,493
200530,258
201034,241
201539,023
202043,504
202450,982
Living abroad, 2024
50,982
Change since 2000
+92.4%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
27.9%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Costa Rica by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2100,491
  2. J11,049
  3. H2B711
  4. H2A501
  5. F1495
  6. L1412
  7. L2309
  8. H1B163
  9. C1/D160
  10. H4102

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

53k105k201720182019202020212022202320242025
53k105k20172019202120232025
Data table
201742,641
201874,247
201969,396
202039,403
202127,045
202252,698
202380,714
202483,148
2025105,024
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR1271
  2. IR5193
  3. IR2193
  4. CR169
  5. F140
  6. F2B31
  7. FX26
  8. E224
Immigrant visas, FY2025
984
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
90
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Costa Rica who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Costa Rica with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,3702,7402015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,3702,740201520172019202120232024
Data table
20152,030
20162,220
20172,180
20182,170
20192,350
20201,660
20211,990
20222,170
20232,490
20242,740
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens2,180
  2. Employment-based preferences320
  3. Family-sponsored preferences170
  4. Refugees and asylees40
  5. Diversity visa lottery20
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)2,620
  2. Spouses and children1,780
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)1,020
  4. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)630
  5. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)550
  6. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)280
  7. Other temporary workers130
  8. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)80
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Costa Rica)
2,740
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Costa Rica)
1,920
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
375,130
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Costa Rica (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Costa Rica (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Work66
  2. Study64
  3. Family14
  4. Visitor4

Visas issued by year

74148201020122014201620182020202220242025
74148201020132016201920222025
Data table
201079
201183
201289
2013101
2014130
2015114
2016138
2017119
2018141
2019128
202082
2021132
2022134
2023122
2024128
2025148
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
65
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Costa Rica, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202514098519020510
20241651,16018518520
202319092023526030
20221154001951905
20217525520025525
2020351557510015
2019602501101850
2018151801151605
2017302101101355
201630200851350
201565160651150
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Costa Rica, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

5102005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
5102005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–066
2006–075
2007–085
2008–098
2009–105
2010–115
2011–124
2012–136
2013–146
2014–157
2015–162
2016–175
2017–186
2018–1910
2019–205
2020–216
2021–228
2022–235
2023–247
2024–252
2025–264
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills2
  2. Labour Agreement1
  3. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
4
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Costa Rica living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1392772012201420162018202220242025
1392772012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012153
2013153
2014158
2015155
2016164
2017169
2018196
2019217
2022218
2023226
2024242
2025277
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident79
  2. Student57
  3. Spouse or Child of Japanese National44
  4. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services38
  5. Dependent23
  6. Long-Term Resident13
  7. Religious Activities5
  8. Professor5
  9. Instructor3
  10. Highly Skilled Professional2
Residents, December 2025
277
In work-related statuses
56
Share in work-related statuses
20.2%
Students
57
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Costa Rica

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Costa Rica, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Spain29227210.3%
Germany3632411.1%
Netherlands312913.2%
Switzerland292813.4%
Italy1917210.5%
France2200.0%

Applications by year

2334662009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
233466200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009381
2010449
2011427
2012432
2013401
2014390
2015466
2016226
2017245
2018213
2019247
202069
202172
2022263
2023318
2024409
Refusal rate, 2024
2.2%
Refusal rate, 2019
2.8%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Costa Rica in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education1,131
  2. Family772
  3. Work690
  4. Other reasons230
First permits by country
  1. Spain1,169
  2. Ireland444
  3. France322
  4. Germany209
  5. Italy110
  6. Netherlands97
  7. Switzerland80
  8. Poland66
  9. Portugal66
  10. Austria38
  11. Hungary34
  12. Belgium28
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card59
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)104
  3. Researchers38
  4. Other paid activities489
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
126
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
553
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
1,770
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
35
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
10,279
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
1,001
Changed status into work, 2025
169
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
8
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
9
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Costa Rica in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202530148602
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025835
Austria2025372116
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Costa Rica

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Costa Rica, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Argentina1——
Australia——1
Bolivia1——
Brazil1——
Canada1——
Chile1——
China1——
Colombia1——
Cuba1——
Dominican Republic1——
Ecuador1——
El Salvador1——
France1——
Germany1——
Guatemala1——
Honduras1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Mexico1——
Netherlands1——
Nicaragua1——
Panama1——
Paraguay1——
Peru1——
Qatar1——
Russia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Switzerland1——
Trinidad and Tobago1——
Türkiye1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Uruguay1——
Venezuela1——
Countries
36
Missions
36
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Costa Rica, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

4238462000200320062009201220152018202120242025
423846200020052010201520202025
Data table
2000136
2001198
2002251
2003321
2004320
2005420
2006513
2007618
2008605
2009513
2010531
2011520
2012562
2013596
2014594
2015552
2016545
2017560
2018534
2019553
2020525
2021594
2022620
2023662
2024725
2025846
Remittances received, 2025
US$846 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.8%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Costa Rica, 2023
2.3%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Costa Rica

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Costa Rica → United States
  • Costa Rica → Canada
  • Costa Rica → Netherlands
  • Costa Rica → Spain
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more