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Costa Rica visas

Costa Rica transit visa

Citizens of the listed countries must apply for a transit visa before travelling through Costa Rica.

Ways to get a Costa Rica transit visa

  1. Transit visa before travel

    Visa needed

    Citizens of the listed countries must apply before transiting through Costa Rica.

Who needs it

Citizens of Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Republic of Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, North Korea, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Yemen must apply for a transit visa.

Good to know

  • Apply for the transit visa before transiting through Costa Rica.
  • Rules for staying inside the airport's international transit area are not specified.
  • No transit time limit or separate rules for leaving the airport are specified.

Questions

Do I need a transit visa for Costa Rica?

Citizens of Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Republic of Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, North Korea, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Yemen must apply for a transit visa.

What rules do I have to follow on a Costa Rica transit visa?

Apply for the transit visa before transiting through Costa Rica.

Does my passport change whether I need a transit visa for Costa Rica?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Costa Rica visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Can a transit visa for Costa Rica be refused?

Yes. Officials can refuse a visa or entry, even after you apply. Give true answers, bring the documents asked for, and keep proof of your onward trip and money.

Where do I check the latest Costa Rica transit visa rules?

On Costa Rica's official immigration or foreign ministry website, or at its embassy. Rules change, so check close to your trip.

Can I change my transit visa once I am in Costa Rica?

Often you cannot switch visa type inside the country. Ask the immigration office before you travel if you might need to.

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