8 things to know about the Costa Rica digital nomad visa

The prolonged-expected Costa Rica digital nomad visa has lastly been designed regulation, just after Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves signed off on the laws this week, subsequent the inclusion of modifications to make it much more accessible and less difficult to implement.

Officially identified as the ‘Law to Bring in Staff and Remote Suppliers of International Products and services,’ the electronic nomad visa was first accredited by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica in July 2021 and at first signed into regulation by Chaves’ predecessor Carlos Alvarado in August.

Even so, suitable implementation of the visa was held up by worries raised amid government departments that the requirements had been way too restrictive, prompting modifications to be manufactured to simplicity the application approach and unwind its ailments. It will occur into drive once the textual content of the regulation is released in the the official governing administration newspaper, La Gaceta.

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

The law is 1 of a selection of measures the Costa Rican govt has taken since the onset of the pandemic to encourage overseas investment and website visitors again to the nation, and is just one among several examples of visas being launched about Latin The us and the Caribbean to bring in remote personnel.

The signing off of the law on July 6 introduces a quantity of adjustments to the primary legislation that make it significantly easier to acquire a Costa Rica electronic nomad visa. Under, 8 important elements of the visa and software course of action are highlighted:

1. A felony document examine is NOT required

A single of the most noteworthy modifications to the Costa Rica digital nomad visa is the elimination of the have to have for a prison history verify. That claims to be a considerable time saver for several applicants, since obtaining a felony document history examine can at times be a delayed procedure.

It is essential to notice that it does not mean all candidates will necessarily be granted the visa with out having their legal record checked. Due to the fact Costa Rican authorities are however equipped to insist on this kind of checks if they deem it reasonable to do so. But it is now at their discretion, relatively than obligatory.

2. The Costa Rica electronic nomad visa calls for a bare minimum cash flow

Just one of the key criterions for obtaining a digital nomad visa is remaining capable to confirm that you fulfill the minimum amount income threshold. For any individual arranging to go to the state on your own, that suggests earnings of at the very least US $3,000 for every month, when any individual bringing a associate or loved ones must be earning US $4,000. Everyone set to be granted a visa as portion of an applicatin have to also have wellness coverage.

Demonstrating earnings requires giving unique bank statements that confirm the applicant has regularly achieved the pertinent threshold via an affidavit, which the US embassy in Costa Rica defines as a “written or printed declaration or assertion of facts, made voluntarily, and verified by the oath or affirmation of the person producing it, taken before a consular officer obtaining authority to administer these types of an oath.”

3. The visa delivers important tax breaks

A main attract of the Costa Rica electronic nomad visa is the simple fact it arrives with total money tax exemption for the holder, as nicely as exemption from import taxes for the importation of computers and other machines the holder demands to undertake their occupation, plus up to two cars.

It is worth noting that whilst associates or dependents will be permitted to use any car introduced in no cost of import tax, they will not appreciate profits tax exemption, which only applies to the main visa holder.

4. Files must be professionally translated

Any paperwork expected as element of the software method that do not originally surface in Spanish will want to be translated by an accredited translator within Costa Rica or the applicant’s country of origin, or by a registered Costa Rican notary.

This stipulation does not utilize to passports.

5. You no lengthier want apostilles to get a Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Previously the digital nomad visa expected documents to be apostilled — a kind of authentication identified all-around the environment which can sometimes take months to obtain. Now, nevertheless, files can now be authenticated with an affidavit.

That is a significantly less difficult necessity, meant to slice down the bureacracy and time included in getting the visa.

6. An inital application will be processed quickly

To begin the software procedure for a Costa Rica electronic nomad visa, candidates can go to the Trámite Ya platform, wherever they will be ready to complete the on the net type, which includes distributing simple personal information and facts and a range of personal and legal paperwork.

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

7. You have confined time to get your immigration accredited 

As soon as an software has initially been granted the applicant can enter the place, upon arrival they will have 3 months to system their immigration accreditation document. That will include a experience-to-deal with appointment at the workplaces of the country’s migration authority.

Through that appointment, images and biometric facts will be taken, and other own and lawful files should be presented.

8. Extending a Costa Rica digital nomad visa demands a minimal keep

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa is meant to catch the attention of remote workers, in portion because their getting electric power within the country will be a improve for the financial system. To that finish, stipulations for renewal have been integrated to stimulate holders to continue being in the state for at least 50 percent of the time they keep the visa.

A visa will be initially granted for a time period of 12 months, which can then be extended for a further 12 months. However, holders will only be granted an extension if they are been in the country for a minimum of 180 times through the preliminary 12 months.

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*Lewis McLeod contributed to this short article