Costa Rica digital nomads: assemble a year of income evidence and insurance

Costa Rica’s remote-worker category is for people supplying paid remote services to individuals or organisations outside the country. The official requirements set overseas monthly earnings at US$3,000 for an individual, or US$4,000 when applying with dependants.

Show the history behind the income

The application requires evidence covering the previous year. Bank statements must be accompanied by the prescribed affidavit, or applicants can use an eligible accountant’s or notary’s certification under the published rules. The certification route has its own apostille or consular-legalisation requirement.

Build a month-by-month index connecting the relevant earnings to your statements. Resolve missing statements before starting the form, and arrange official Spanish translations for documents in other languages.

Budget beyond the headline fee

The requirements include a US$100 government payment. The programme FAQ says the full amount must reach the government account, so transfer charges need to be considered separately. Use the current official payment instructions rather than bank details copied from a third-party guide.

Medical insurance must cover the whole authorised period, with at least US$50,000 of coverage. Accompanying dependants also need insurance. Compare the certificate’s territorial coverage, dates and benefits with the programme requirements before purchasing.

Keep entry and residence steps separate

The programme offers a year with a possible additional year, subject to the renewal rules. Applicants still need to check the entry requirements for their nationality and complete the immigration-document process; submitting a remote-worker application is not a substitute for checking those steps.

Keep the passport, payment receipt, income evidence, translations and insurance together in a clearly labelled application folder. Use the official forms and follow any document request from the immigration authority.