🇺🇸 United States visa requirements for Costa Rican citizens
Yes — Costa Rican citizens need a visa to enter United States, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for Costa Rica passport holders
Costa Rican citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to United States. Applications generally go through a United States embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official United States immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The Costa Rican passport ranks #63 worldwide, opening 130 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (91 visa-free, 34 with a visa on arrival and 5 with an eTA). United States is not among them — it is one of the 33 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
The reverse trip is easier: American citizens can enter Costa Rica visa-free · 180 days.
Across North America as a whole, 1 of 3 destinations are open to Costa Rican travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- United States dollar ($)
- Languages
- English
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Frequently asked questions
Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for United States?
Yes — Costa Rican citizens need a visa to enter United States, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in United States?
The currency in United States is the United States dollar ($). The capital city is Washington, D.C..
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for Costa Rican citizens traveling to United States. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the United States embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Americas for Costa Rican passport holders
Going the other way? Costa Rica visa requirements for American citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.