As part of a plan for recovery in the tourist industry, the Costa Rica Government approved the executive decree N° 44187-MGP, which entered into effect on September 8 th, 2023, eight days after its publication in the Legal newspaper La Gaceta. This decree modifies the period of the non-consular Tourist Visa, allowing tourists to stay in the country for up to 180 days if they are a citizen and hold a valid passport from the following countries:
Before this decree, the maximum time for visitors from the countries mentioned above was 90 days; the main idea is that tourists can stay longer to enjoy the national territory and the Pura Vida lifestyle!
The countries not listed in the new decree will remain for a maximum period of 30 days.
However, the final decision on how many days you will be allowed to remain in the country and be stamped on your passport will always depend on the Immigration Officer who interviews you at the airport and can determine whether to grant and stamp less than 180 days.
An important fact to consider is that even though the tourist visas for those 60 countries have been extended, with this new regulation, foreign driver’s licenses are still valid for up to a maximum of 90 days from the last entry since the license drivers are ruled and regulated by the Costarrican Transit Law, overpassing this period can carry you a fine and the possibility of getting your car license plates removed.
Suppose your idea is to live in Costa Rica or stay permanently for extended periods. In that case, you should consider applying for one of the temporary permits or residency categories that suits you better. Don’t hesitate to contact us to guide you through the process.
We at GM Attorneys will be pleased to help you with your legal matters in Costa Rica! Please contact us at info@gmattorneyscr.com or visit our website and blog section.