Can Costa Rican citizens travel to the United States without a visa?

No, Costa Rican passport holders require a visa to enter the United States. They must apply for a B1/B2 tourist or business visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before travel. Costa Rica is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The application process includes completing the DS-160 form, paying fees (approximately $185 USD), and attending an interview. Processing times vary from weeks to months depending on appointment availability.

Do Costa Ricans need a visa to visit Canada, Australia, or New Zealand?

Yes, Costa Rican passport holders need visas for all three countries. For Canada, an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is NOT sufficient; a full visitor visa is required. Australia requires an eVisitor (subclass 651) or Electronic Travel Authority, which must be applied for online before departure. New Zealand also requires a visa obtained in advance through their online system. All three involve application fees and processing times of several days to weeks.

Which European countries can Costa Ricans visit without a visa?

Costa Rican passport holders can visit all Schengen Area countries visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and 22 others. Additionally, visa-free access extends to non-Schengen EU countries like Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania. The UK also grants visa-free entry for up to 6 months but requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) as of 2025.

How do I renew my Costa Rican passport and how long does it take?

Costa Rican passports are renewed through the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE). Within Costa Rica, apply at TSE offices with your current passport, cédula (national ID), and payment (approximately 37,000 colones or $65 USD as of 2025). Processing takes 5-10 business days for standard service. Abroad, apply through Costa Rican consulates; processing can take 4-8 weeks. Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors. Online appointment booking is recommended due to high demand.

Does Costa Rica have mandatory military service?

No, Costa Rica does not have mandatory military service. The country abolished its army in 1948 and has remained demilitarized since. Costa Rica maintains only police forces and security services. This means Costa Rican citizens, whether residing domestically or holding dual citizenship abroad, have no military service obligations. This unique status is enshrined in the Costa Rican Constitution and is a point of national pride.

Can Costa Rican passport holders work in Europe or the UK without a work visa?

No, visa-free access to Europe and the UK does not include the right to work. Costa Ricans can visit Schengen countries and the UK for tourism or short business trips without a visa, but employment requires a proper work visa or permit. Each European country has specific work visa requirements, typically requiring a job offer from an employer who sponsors the application. The process can take several months and involves proving qualifications, salary thresholds, and sometimes language proficiency.

What countries require Costa Ricans to obtain an e-Visa before travel?

Costa Rican passport holders must obtain e-Visas for 32 countries before travel, including India, Vietnam, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Azerbaijan, Cuba, Indonesia, Pakistan, Cameroon, Armenia, Nigeria, and others. The e-Visa application process is completed online through each country's official immigration portal, requiring passport scans, photos, travel details, and fees. Processing times range from 24 hours to 2 weeks. Some countries like Kenya and Sri Lanka require Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead, which is a simpler pre-registration system.

Are there any countries Costa Ricans cannot visit or face travel restrictions?

Costa Rican passport holders face visa requirements for 53 countries, including some with complex or restrictive policies. North Korea, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan have highly restrictive visa processes. Saudi Arabia requires sponsorship for tourist visas. Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Somalia have limited or suspended visa services due to security situations. China requires a full visa application with invitation letters for most travel. While not banned, these destinations require advance planning, documentation, and sometimes sponsor arrangements.

Can I transit through the US or Canada with a Costa Rican passport without a visa?

For the United States, Costa Ricans need a valid C-1 transit visa or B1/B2 visa even for airport layovers if changing planes, though airside transit without entering the US may not require one if remaining in the international zone (verify with airline). For Canada, a Transit Visa is required if transiting through a Canadian airport, even without leaving the airport, unless traveling to/from the US with a valid US visa. These rules apply to connections under 48 hours. Always verify current requirements with airlines and embassies before booking connecting flights.

Costa Rica Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 148 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

The Costa Rica passport ranks 29th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 148 destinations worldwide. This Central American travel document provides strong international mobility, enabling Costa Rican citizens to travel extensively across the Americas, Europe, and parts of Asia without prior visa arrangements. The passport has maintained consistent performance over the years, with visa-free access growing from 95 destinations in 2006 to 148 in 2025, making it one of the most powerful passports in Latin America. Costa Rican passport holders benefit from excellent travel freedom for both tourism and business purposes across multiple continents.

Global Rank

#29

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

148

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Costa Rica passport

110

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Costa Rican Citizens

Popular destinations where Costa Rica passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to days
Singapore	Up to days
Japan	Up to days
United Kingdom	Up to days
South Korea	Up to days

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Costa Rica passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

110 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

30 countries

🔐 ETA Required

8 countries

💻 E-Visa

33 countries

❌ Visa Required

45 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Costa Rica's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 6 positions from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Obtain residency in Costa Rica through qualified investments, with potential pathways to citizenship.

RBI Program Available

Official Costa Rica Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Compare Costa Rica Passport with Other Passports

See how Costa Rica's passport compares with other AMERICAS in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Costa Rica (You are here)	#29	148	67/100	71/100
Brazil	#19	169	67/100	81/100
Argentina	#19	169	72/100	81/100
Mexico	#24	157	72/100	88/100
Uruguay	#25	156	73/100	75/100
Panama	#29	148	68/100	71/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, Costa Rican passport holders can access 148 destinations visa-free or with visa on arrival/eTA. The passport ranks 29th globally on the Henley Passport Index. This includes 130 visa-free destinations, 29 visa-on-arrival countries, and 8 requiring electronic travel authorization. Major accessible regions include the entire Schengen Area, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and most of Latin America.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Costa Rica's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Costa Rica Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 148 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Historical Ranking Trend

Costa Rica's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 6 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Costa Rica Passport with Other Passports

See how Costa Rica's passport compares with other AMERICAS in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Costa Rica (You are here)	#29	148	67/100	71/100
Brazil	#19	169	67/100	81/100
Argentina	#19	169	72/100	81/100
Mexico	#24	157	72/100	88/100
Uruguay	#25	156	73/100	75/100
Panama	#29	148	68/100	71/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Costa Rica passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Costa Rican Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Costa Rica's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official Costa Rica Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Costa Rica Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Costa Rican passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Can Costa Rican citizens travel to the United States without a visa?

Do Costa Ricans need a visa to visit Canada, Australia, or New Zealand?

Which European countries can Costa Ricans visit without a visa?

How do I renew my Costa Rican passport and how long does it take?

Does Costa Rica have mandatory military service?

Can Costa Rican passport holders work in Europe or the UK without a work visa?

What countries require Costa Ricans to obtain an e-Visa before travel?

Are there any countries Costa Ricans cannot visit or face travel restrictions?

Can I transit through the US or Canada with a Costa Rican passport without a visa?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Costa Rica passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Costa Rican Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Costa Rica's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official Costa Rica Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Costa Rica Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Costa Rican passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Can Costa Rican citizens travel to the United States without a visa?

Do Costa Ricans need a visa to visit Canada, Australia, or New Zealand?

Which European countries can Costa Ricans visit without a visa?

How do I renew my Costa Rican passport and how long does it take?

Does Costa Rica have mandatory military service?

Can Costa Rican passport holders work in Europe or the UK without a work visa?

What countries require Costa Ricans to obtain an e-Visa before travel?

Are there any countries Costa Ricans cannot visit or face travel restrictions?

Can I transit through the US or Canada with a Costa Rican passport without a visa?

Explore More Passport Rankings