UAE nationals do not need a visa to travel to Costa Rica and they can stay for 90 days, but the people who do not hold the nationality and are UAE residents need a visa to travel to Costa Rica. This Central American country allows foreigners to engage in business activities and pursue their professional careers, but UAE nationals require a visa for, such purposes.
According to the updates of 2024, the visa requirements for UAE residents are based on which country passport they hold. For example, if a person holds an Indian or Pakistani passport, the rules and regulations of the visa plus the required documents would vary based on the country passport they have. Let’s examine the types of visas and their requirements in detail.
Types of Costa Rica Visa for UAE Residents
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Work Visa
1. Tourist Visa
The first type of visa that is offered to UAE residents is the tourist visa which allows them to stay in Central America for 90 days. The visa does not allow a traveller to engage in business activities, such as arranging business conferences nor it permits them to pursue their professional career in Costa Rica. The visa process is at least 2 to weeks long.
Requirements of Costa RicaTourist Visa for UAE Residents
UAE Residence Visa: An applicant must provide a copy of the UAE residence visa that should be valid for 3 months.
Valid Passport: An applicant must provide a passport that should be valid for at least 6 months further and have 2 blank pages.
Proof of Accommodation: An applicant must provide proof of accommodation in order to ensure the embassy of Costa Rica that the sole purpose of the trip is recreational.
Photograph: An applicant must provide 2 images of 45mm x 35mm size, which should have a two-coloured background and the images must not be older than 3 months.
Health Requirements: If you are from Africa or South Africa, you must meet the eligibility criteria of health and have a yellow fever vaccine certificate.
Proof of Sufficient Funds: An applicant must have sufficient funds to sponsor his trip and show the bank statement of the past few months to the embassy of Costa Rica.
Proof of Travel: An applicant must provide the details of his travel by showing the departure and return tickets.
Visa Application: An applicant must apply for a Costa Rica business visa and hold the receipt of paid dues.
Application Process
Step 1: Gather all the documents and visit the Costa Rica consulate in UAE.
Step 2: Discuss the type of visa you require with the consulate officer and fill out the application form.
Step 3: Attach all the documents with the form and review the application.
Step 4: Ensure that all the information provided in the document is authentic and then submit the application form.
Step 5: Pay the visa application fee and save the payment receipt.
Step 6: Appear in the interview and if you pass it, you will be able to get a Costa Rica tourist visa.
2. Business Visa
A business visa is for people who are planning to arrange business activities, such as meetings or conferences in Costa Rica. It does not allow people to initiate a business in the country. The nature of a business visa is similar to a tourist visa, but in this type of visa program, one is able to engage in business activities; however, a tourist visa does not allow such activities.
Requirements of Costa Rica Business Visa for UAE Residence
UAE Residence Visa: A business person must provide the details of his UAE residence visa, such as what type of visa he holds.
Valid Passport: A business person must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and should have two blank pages.
Police Clearance: A business person must provide a police clearance certificate that ensures the applicant has never been engaged in criminal activities in the past.
Medical Certificate: Normally, the medical certificate, including the test report of yellow fever is required for African and South African applicants to get business visas.
Application Letter: A business person must submit an application letter that contains all the information of the applicant, including his name, age, date of birth and the purpose of visit as well as address the type of business activity in which he intends to engage after coming to Costa Rica.
Letter of Invitation: A business person must provide the letter of invitation to prove that the sole purpose of the visit to Costa Rica is to engage in business activity and you are invited for it.
Chamber of Commerce Letter: A business person must provide a letter from the chamber of commerce in which the details of his business are mentioned.
Proof of Accommodation: A business person must provide proof of the accommodation, including the names of hotels in which he stays, and the room number.
Photograph: A business person must provide 2 images of 45mm by 35mm in size and make sure the images are not older than 3 months.
Proof of Sufficient Funds: A business person must provide proof that he possesses sufficient funds by giving a bank statement of the past few months as well as proof that he has 367 AED in his account.
Proof of Travel: A business person must provide proof of his travel by providing the details of the ticket, name of airline, plus arrival and return dates.
Visa Application: A business person must apply for a business visa and pay the visa application charges.
Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Costa Rica consulate in UAE with all the documents mentioned above.
Step 2: Fill out the application form and attach documents with it.
Step 3: Review the application and ensure the documents are properly adhered to with the application.
Step 4: Submit the application form and pay its dues which are approximately 190 AED.
Step 5: Appear in the interview and if you pass it, you will be able to get a Costa Rica business visa
3. Work Visa
The third type of visa you can get is a work visa to pursue your professional career in Costa Rica. The work visa allows you to get employment and earn money in Costa Rica, but its duration is not long. Normally, Costa Rica issues 1 to 2 years work visas; however, there are further types of work visas which you can choose depending upon your needs.
Requirements of Costa Rica Work Visa for UAE Residence
UAE Residence Visa: An intended employee is required to provide a copy of the UAE residence visa that must be valid for 3 months at least.
Valid Passport: An intended employee must provide a copy of the visa that must be valid for 6 months, should have two blank pages and the copy must be notarized.
Police Clearance: An intended employee must provide a police clearance certificate that should not be older than 6 months which ensures he is not engaged in criminal activities.
Medical Certificate: An intended employee must provide a medical certificate that ensures the applicant has no serious medical condition and can travel to Costa Rica.
Employer Letter: An intended employee must provide a copy of the letter from his employer in order to prove that the job position has been secured by him.
Employment Contract: An intended employee must provide the details of the employment contract he has signed with his employer.
Company Registration Documents: An intended employee must provide the registration documents of the company.
Insurance: An intended employee must provide the details of the insurance program he is enrolled which covers his travel and medical charges in case of any catastrophe.
Marriage Certificate/ Divorce decree: An intended employee must provide his marriage certificate or divorce decree if divorced.
Proof of Accommodation: An intended employee must provide the details of his apartment and the hotel in which he will stay after arrival.
Photograph: An intended employee must provide 2 images of passport size which should be not older than 3 months.
Proof of Sufficient Funds: An intended employee must have sufficient funds to sponsor his trip.
Proof of Travel: An intended employee must show the flight tickets to provide details related to the airline, seat and departure date.
Visa Application: An intended employee must apply for a Costa Rica work visa and hold a receipt of the paid fee.
Work Permit: An intended employee must have a work permit of Costa Rica.
Application Process
Step 1: The employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf after hiring you.
Step 2: The employer will send all the documents including NOC, letter and work permit which should be shown at the Costa Rica consulate.
Step 3: An applicant has to visit the Costa Rica consulate to apply for a work visa.
Step 4: An applicant has to fill out an application form, attach documents with it and submit their form.
Step 5: Pay the work visa application fee which is non-refundable and appear in the interview if you pass it, you will get a work visa for Costa Rica.
Important Note: An applicant must translate all the documents into Spanish before the application process.
FAQ’s
The citizens of UAE do not need a visa for an entertainment trip, but residents without citizenship must need a visa to go to Costa Rica.
It takes 2 to 4 weeks to get a Costa Rica visa.
Final Words
Costa Rica has everything from business opportunities to employment chances as well as heart-touching sights, including beaches, jungles and iconic cities. If you intend to visit Costa Rica, you must follow the process I have explained above. The visa will be on your table within 2 to 4 weeks.
