Visit (visa-free with US residence): Indian citizen in United States → Costa Rica
Indian citizens who hold a valid multiple-entry US visa or US residence permit may enter Costa Rica visa-free for tourism — no Costa Rica consular visa needed — and are admitted for up to 30 days, extendable in-country up to a total of 90 days.
Short tourism visit to Costa Rica with no consular visa to obtain in advance — Costa Rica waives the consular visa for third-group nationals who hold a qualifying multiple-entry US visa or US residence.
- Validity
- Visa-free entry — no consular visa is issued in advance; you rely on your qualifying US visa or US residence.
- Entries
- Each entry is granted at the border on the strength of your valid US visa/residence
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 30 calendar days, extendable in-country up to a total of 90 days
When to start
Start 1–1 days before your travel date.
Costa Rica waives the consular visa for third-group nationals who hold a visa or residence permitting MULTIPLE entries, in any category, valid for at least 1 calendar day in the United States (or Canada). US C1, C2 and C3 transit visas are NOT accepted (only the D and C1/D categories are named). If your US visa or US residence is multiple-entry and valid for the whole stay, you may enter Costa Rica without a consular visa.
Travel with your valid multiple-entry US visa or US residence permit together with a machine-readable or biometric passport (ICAO standard). The passport must be valid, current and in good condition, and you should also carry proof of economic solvency and a return or onward ticket for the border check.
At the Costa Rican border, present your passport, your qualifying US visa or US residence, proof of economic solvency of at least US$100 per month (or fraction) of stay, and a return or onward ticket. Admission is under the Non-Resident category, Tourism subcategory — rest, recreation, business or professional activities are allowed, but not paid work. The immigration officer sets the exact stay, up to 30 days, extendable in-country to a total of 90 days.
What you'll need
- Valid passport (machine-readable or biometric) — Only machine-readable or biometric passports meeting ICAO standards are accepted; the passport must be valid, current and in good condition. ✓ verified
- Valid multiple-entry US visa or US residence permit — The document that exempts you: a visa or residence permitting multiple entries, in any category, valid for at least 1 calendar day in the United States. US C1, C2 and C3 transit visas are not accepted. ✓ verified
- Proof of economic solvency — Proof of economic solvency of at least US$100 per month (or fraction of a month) of legal stay in Costa Rica. ✓ verified
- Return or onward ticket — A return ticket to your country of origin, an onward ticket, or a navigation plan showing the port of destination. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Nothing to apply for in advance from the United States: you enter Costa Rica visa-free on the strength of your qualifying multiple-entry US visa or US residence permit and receive your stay stamp at the border — there is no Costa Rican visa-centre step.
Fees
| Visa-free entry (US-document waiver) | varies |
Gotchas to watch
- This visa-free entry depends on your US visa/residence being valid for the whole stay — if it lapses you fall back to the normal Costa Rica consular-visa route.
- The waiver only accepts a MULTIPLE-ENTRY US visa or US residence — a single-entry US visa does not qualify.
- US C1, C2 and C3 visas are transit visas and are NOT accepted for this waiver.
- Your passport must be machine-readable or biometric (ICAO standard); carry it with your US document.
- Visa-free entry is for tourism, business or professional activities under the Non-Resident category — not paid work in Costa Rica.
- The waiver does not guarantee entry — the immigration officer makes the final decision and sets the exact stay at the border.
