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Republic of Costa Rica · digital nomad

Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008)

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A one-year stay (estancia) for remote workers and service providers serving foreign clients under Costa Rica's Ley N. 10008.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residencyGranted for one year, renewable once for an additional year; this is a stay (estancia), not a settlement track, and does not lead to permanent residence. Confirm current terms on the official page.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official DGME digital-nomad page.
Government fees
Indicative only - a government processing fee applies; confirm the current amount on the official page.
Typical duration
Granted for one year, renewable once for an additional year; this is a stay (estancia), not a settlement track, and does not lead to permanent residence. Confirm current terms on the official page.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (Costa Rica) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008) for Republic of Costa Rica is an unsponsored Costa Rica immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Costa Rica government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/costa-rica/digital-nomad#answer

What is the Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008) in Republic of Costa Rica?

Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008) is an unsponsored Costa Rica route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a government processing fee applies; confirm the current amount on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official DGME digital-nomad page; typical duration is Granted for one year, renewable once for an additional year; this is a stay (estancia), not a settlement track, and does not lead to permanent residence. Confirm current terms on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (Costa Rica) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Costa Rica's digital-nomad route is governed by Ley N. 10008 (the law to attract remote workers and providers of international-character services) and is delivered through the immigration subcategory of estancia. It is for people who provide paid services remotely, using digital or telecommunications technology, to a person or entity located outside Costa Rica, and who meet the minimum monthly income required (higher when including dependents). It is granted for one year and renewable once, and it does not lead to permanent residence. It is administered by the DGME.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm your remote work is for foreign clients and that you meet the Ley 10008 income and insurance requirements, using the official DGME digital-nomad page.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Assemble proof of foreign income, work evidence, Costa Rica-valid medical insurance, passport and the signed application form.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply through the DGME (online appointment portal for digital nomads or at a migration office) following the Ley 10008 estancia instructions.

  4. After approval

    Use the one-year stay; renew once if eligible, remembering this estancia does not lead to permanent residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Costa Rica

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Costa Rica. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Estancia - Remote Worker / Service Provider (Ley 10008).

    Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (Costa Rica) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Does Costa Rica's digital-nomad estancia lead to permanent residence?+

No. The Ley 10008 remote-worker estancia is granted for one year and renewable once, but it does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship. Migrants who want a settlement path should consider the Pensionado, Rentista or Inversionista categories. Confirm the rules on the official DGME page.

What income do I need for the Costa Rican digital-nomad estancia?+

You must show a stable monthly income at the minimum set by Ley 10008, with a higher amount required if you include dependents. Because the figure is set by law and regulation, confirm the current minimum on the official DGME page.

Do I need my own health insurance for the Costa Rican digital-nomad estancia?+

Yes. The Ley 10008 remote-worker estancia requires medical insurance valid in Costa Rica for the period of stay, and proof of that insurance is part of the required evidence. Confirm the current insurance requirements on the official DGME page.

Can I work for a Costa Rican company while on the digital-nomad estancia?+

No. The Ley 10008 estancia requires that your paid services are provided to a person or entity located outside Costa Rica; working for a Costa Rican employer or Costa Rican-sourced clients is a common reason for ineligibility. Confirm the current rules on the official DGME page.

Can I include my spouse or children on Costa Rica's digital-nomad estancia?+

Yes, dependents can be included on the Ley 10008 remote-worker estancia, but a higher minimum monthly income applies when you add dependents. Confirm the current income figures on the official DGME page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (Costa Rica)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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