8 things to know about the Costa Rica digital nomad visa

The long-anticipated Costa Rica electronic nomad visa has lastly been produced law, immediately after Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves signed off on the legislation this 7 days, adhering to the inclusion of modifications to make it more accessible and simpler to use.

Formally identified as the ‘Law to Draw in Employees and Remote Providers of International Expert services,’ the digital nomad visa was initially approved by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica in July 2021 and at first signed into legislation by Chaves’ predecessor Carlos Alvarado in August.

Even so, right implementation of the visa was held up by fears lifted among authorities departments that the specifications were much too restrictive, prompting modifications to be produced to relieve the application process and unwind its conditions. It will arrive into drive after the textual content of the law is posted in the the official govt newspaper, La Gaceta.

SEE ALSO: Find an employer of history for payroll outsourcing in Costa Rica

The law is one particular of a selection of steps the Costa Rican government has taken considering that the onset of the pandemic to persuade foreign investment decision and visitors back to the place, and is a single among the lots of illustrations of visas remaining launched close to Latin America and the Caribbean to catch the attention of remote workers.

The signing off of the law on July 6 introduces a variety of modifications to the unique laws that make it noticeably less difficult to attain a Costa Rica digital nomad visa. Below, eight important aspects of the visa and application procedure are highlighted:

1. A felony report test is NOT required

One of the most noteworthy modifications to the Costa Rica electronic nomad visa is the elimination of the need for a prison record test. That claims to be a considerable time saver for several candidates, due to the fact acquiring a felony file background check can in some cases be a delayed course of action.

It is critical to note that it doesn’t imply all applicants will always be granted the visa without having obtaining their felony background checked. Since Costa Rican authorities are continue to able to insist on these kinds of checks if they deem it realistic to do so. But it is now at their discretion, fairly than compulsory.

2. The Costa Rica digital nomad visa requires a bare minimum money

Just one of the key criterions for finding a digital nomad visa is staying able to confirm that you fulfill the minimum amount earnings threshold. For any person scheduling to shift to the region by yourself, that signifies earnings of at least US $3,000 per thirty day period, although anybody bringing a spouse or family will have to be earning US $4,000. Any individual set to be granted a visa as section of an applicatin must also have health insurance.

Demonstrating earnings consists of giving primary financial institution statements that verify the applicant has regularly achieved the suitable threshold by using an affidavit, which the US embassy in Costa Rica defines as a “written or printed declaration or statement of info, built voluntarily, and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the individual building it, taken right before a consular officer possessing authority to administer such an oath.”

3. The visa presents significant tax breaks

A significant draw of the Costa Rica digital nomad visa is the reality it comes with entire money tax exemption for the holder, as perfectly as exemption from import taxes for the importation of computer systems and other devices the holder demands to undertake their career, in addition up to two vehicles.

It is worthy of noting that though associates or dependents will be permitted to use any vehicle introduced in free of charge of import tax, they will not appreciate earnings tax exemption, which only applies to the primary visa holder.

4. Documents should be skillfully translated

Any paperwork needed as component of the application approach that do not at first look in Spanish will will need to be translated by an accredited translator in just Costa Rica or the applicant’s nation of origin, or by a registered Costa Rican notary.

This stipulation does not utilize to passports.

5. You no extended require apostilles to get a Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Beforehand the electronic nomad visa required files to be apostilled — a variety of authentication regarded all-around the globe which can sometimes get weeks to get. Now, nevertheless, files can now be authenticated with an affidavit.

That is a significantly less difficult prerequisite, meant to cut down the bureacracy and time associated in acquiring the visa.

6. An inital application will be processed speedily

To commence the application system for a Costa Rica digital nomad visa, candidates can go to the Trámite Ya platform, the place they will be capable to finish the on-line variety, which includes submitting standard particular data and a amount of private and authorized documents.

When the software has been submitted, authorities will then have a maximum 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 state, upon arrival they will have 3 months to method their immigration accreditation document. That will entail a face-to-face appointment at the places of work of the country’s migration authority.

In the course of that appointment, photos and biometric facts will be taken, and other own and lawful paperwork should be introduced.

8. Extending a Costa Rica digital nomad visa needs a least continue to be

The Costa Rica electronic nomad visa is intended to draw in remote employees, in part for the reason that their purchasing electricity in the place will be a improve for the economic climate. To that end, stipulations for renewal have been incorporated to inspire holders to continue to be in the region for at the very least fifty percent of the time they maintain the visa.

A visa will be at first granted for a time period of 12 months, which can then be extended for a even more 12 months. Nonetheless, holders will only be granted an extension if they are been in the nation for a minimum amount of 180 days through the first yr.

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*Lewis McLeod contributed to this short article