Costa Rica visa requirements for Nigerians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Nigerians visiting Costa Rica

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Costa Rican Visa.

  • A Nigerian passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Costa Rica.
  • Duly completed and signed application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • A passport photograph taken in white background. Three (3) identical photographs must be submitted. They should be 3 x 3 cm in width and height.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial standing (recent bank statements). 
  • Documentation showing applicants ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • Medical Insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Some embassies/consulates may also request a criminal record certificate and medical report.

Costa Rica Visa for Nigerians

Facts about Costa Rica

Tourists won’t believe the popular phrase "pura vida" (pure life) until they visit the country. It is a term you will hear everywhere and you will think it is a marketing term till you believe in and start saying it yourself. The pure life Costa Rican bug is sure to bite tourists with the flurry of amazing things to be done in the country. The country offers a plethora of outdoor activities in its various shapes and sizes. On the various beaches and rivers in Costa Rica, tourists can enjoy rafting, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing. The Central American nation is well-known for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests which houses tropical mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and wildcats. Tourists can visit one of the national parks and game reserves to enjoy amazing sites. Another spectacular activity that tourists in the country like to engage in is bird watching. Bird watching can be done in a variety of places in the country as there are over 800 species of birds for your pleasure.
 
Costa Rica is the most visited country in Central America. The country was visited by 2.9 million foreigners in 2016 which was up 10% from the previous year. The tourism industry was responsible for 5.8% of the country’s GDP, or $3.4 billion.
 
Foreigners in the country are expected to declare the sum of $10,000 on entry and exit from the country. If this sum is not declared, you will not be allowed entry into the country. The minimum sentence for drug possession and trafficking is 8 years imprisonment. Tourists should stay away from any drug-related crime.

Types of Costa Rica Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 3 - 5 working days 90 days
Business visa 3 - 5 working days 90 days

General Requirements for Costa Rica Visa

  • A Nigerian passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Costa Rica.
  • Duly completed and signed application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • A passport photograph taken in white background. Three (3) identical photographs must be submitted. They should be 3 x 3 cm in width and height.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial standing (recent bank statements). 
  • Documentation showing applicants ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • Medical Insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Some embassies/consulates may also request a criminal record certificate and medical report.
Costa Rica Tourist visa Costa Rica Business visa

Costa Rica Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Business travelers to Costa Rica must be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months beyond their expected stay and a round-trip or onward ticket.
  • The Costa Rica visa application form can be issued by the Costa Rica Consulate or downloaded online from their website at http://www.migracion.go.cr/.
  • Business travelers will enjoy the advanced telecommunications system, modern infrastructure and excellent array of hotels and restaurants while traveling in Costa Rica.
  • If your visa is denied, you will have to wait a minimum of six months to apply again.
  •  There is a departure tax for short-term visitors, which is typically included in the cost of a traveler’s airfare.
  • Tourists who stay beyond the designated exit date may experience a delay at the airport when departing and will have to pay a fine.  Individuals with prior overstays may further be denied entry to Costa Rica.
  • You may be asked details of the Costa Rican company you will be visiting and your relationship with them. You should also present documents that show they are expecting you.
  • Evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination is a MUST!
  • For a stay of more than 90 days a residence permit must be established.
  • This can be applied for and obtained at the General Directorate of Immigration and Immigration in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Though some nationals may not, but Nigerians need a visa to travel to Costa Rica.
  • All visitors to Costa Rica must carry a valid passport which must be valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry into Costa Rica.
  • Visa requirements are based on international agreements or treaties. However,  the visa does not guarantee entry to Costa Rica. Whether or not you will be allowed to enter Costa Rica depends on the immigration officer upon arrival.
  • Anybody travelling to Costa Rica from sub-Saharan Africa will need to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Nigeria is one of the countries considered at risk.
  • Immigration officials may deny you entry if your passport is damaged so always take note of this.
  •  Be sure to leave Costa Rica at your expected date of departure. Immigration authorities may impose a fine on foreigners who overstay their visas. Even a short overstay may result in significant delays, deportation, and/or denial of entry to Costa Rica in the future.
  • All children born in Costa Rica acquire Costa Rican citizenship at birth. They must have an exit permit issued by immigration authorities in order to depart the country. Non-Costa Rican minors who are ordinarily resident in Costa Rica may also be subject to this requirement and this is strictly enforced.
  • It is not yet known if there are any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors coming to Costa Rica.
  • Intending visitors to Costa Rica need to be reminded that the country is in an active earthquake and volcanic zone. Following significant earthquakes, tsunamis may also occur.
  • Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Costa Rica Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

20.00 (USD)

Business visa

20.00 (USD)

Costa Rica Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Nigeria

Location

Address

Abuja

Costa Rica currently does not maintain an embassy in Nigeria. Visa applicants are advised to make use of consulates in neighboring countries for their applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What currency is used in Costa Rica??
Costa Rica's national currency is known as the colón, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas and other places around the country.
Is there a Costa Rican embassy in Nigeria??
No. Costa Rica currently does not maintain an embassy in Nigeria. Visa applicants are advised to make use of consulates in neighboring countries for their applications.
How safe is Costa Rica to travel to??
Costa Rica is considerably safe, but they do have their own share of security challenges.
Is Costa Rica a Schengen country??
No. Costa Rica is not one of the 26 Schengen countries.
King Richard

4 years ago

Which neighboring countries can I get Costa Rica visa from. I am currently in Ghana. My email is ricksonkimgs@ Gmail.com

Ask your questions Is there student visa to Costa Rica? I want to go and study music in Costa Rica is there any music school there and if there is what level of certificate did they office?
Joe Orobosa EBUEHI

4 years ago

Please,send me the contacts of some tertiary institutions in Costa Rica?

Joe Orobosa EBUEHI

4 years ago

Please,send me the contacts of some tertiary institutions in Costa Rica?

Good day, I hope this email finds you well. I am Wadi Ben-Hirki, a Nigerian. I was selected to travel for a program and Costa Rica is one of the countries. I write to kindly ask how I can apply for a Costa Rican visa. Thank you?
Hi my name is Tunde . Please which neighbouring country can I get costa rica visa from . Am based in Nigeria. Thank you?
Ojo vic

3 years ago

Please reach out to me too on process of visa, am a Nigerian. Reach me bon savedtoserve001@gmail.com

closest costa rica consulate to a Nigerian?
Success Waya

4 years ago

How do I get Costa Rica visa from Nigeria?

How can I apply for Costa Rica Visa in Nigeria, where is the embassy in nigeria.i will like to know if it possible for me to get d Visa in Nigeria or neighboring country.Await ur urgent response.thanks Mr abumen Goodwin?
Interested in visiting Costa Rica but no embassy in Nigeria?
How can I apply for a Costa Rican tourist visa from nigeria?
Sunday oyebola

3 years ago

Help me

khalid ismail

2 years ago

how can i apply for a costa rica visa visa fro nigeria

Oladijo Banke

2 years ago

How can I am Oladijo Banke, how can I apply for a Costa Rica visa from Nigeria

Where is the closest costa Rica consulate to nigeria?
Tourist visa?
Akinola Kunle michael

2 years ago

Yes I'm interested

Where can I apply for tourist visa, am a Nigerian?
Amanda Obiorah

3 years ago

Where can I apply for tourist visa in nigeria

Wasiu bello

3 years ago

I want to apply

i want to make enquiry for visiting visa, requirements and cost?
Where is the closest embassy for me to get a visa to Costa Rica for someone that lives in Agbara Nigeria?
Alagboso emmanuel

3 years ago

Please where can I get a visa in nigeria to travel to Costa Rica

How do I apply for the Costa Rica county?
I am from Nigeria, and I would like to know the closest embassy where I can get a visa to Costa Rica. Thank you?
How can I get a Visa to Costa Rica? I really need to be there because I want to marry someone I loved so much there?
How do I get a Costa Rica visa.?
Hi, I got a job offer in Costa Rica and will like my documents translated and legalized.?
Hi, I just got a job in Costa Rica and I will like assistance with VISA processing?
Hi. I'd like to know if you offer consultancy services for Costa Rican visa application.?
Did anyone ever succeed in getting a Costa Rican visa from Nigeria? Cos it seems like it's the toughest. Document legalization seems undoable?
I read foreigners need to have 10k dollars to visit Costa Rica at Point of entry ? How true is this?
Hello, I’m a Nigerian passport holder (living in Lagos, Nigeria), I’d like to apply for a Tourism visa to Costa Rica, please how do I go about that? More so, does e-visa application apply??
JOY KROAGBE

8 months ago

I am interested to know too

Please how can i relocate to costa Rica to do my Masters?
Hi how can I summit my documents for Visa application?
I am in Nigeria and I have a conference to attend in Costa Rica where I will be making a paper presentation. Please how do i secure a Visa to travel??
Hello I want to apply for Costa Rica Visa and I don't know how to go about it can you please put me through. Thank you?
If my passport is on processing? Can I request for visa?
Any consulate office in central Africa state's Any address in Africa for visa deposits??
We wish to come to Costa Rica on honeymoon with my partner in March 2023 I don't know if it's about the right time to apply for the Visa?
Where can a Nigerian obtain visa to Costa Rica??
Hi..pls can we have a private chat via email??
Bamidele Timothy Olagunju

1 month ago

dazzcalite2001@gmail.com

I am a Nigerian, how can I get a visa to Costa Rica??
I am a Nigerian, how can I get a visa to Costa Rica??
Goodmorning Sir/Madam I am a Nigerian willing to study in Costa rica,how can I get a student visa?
How much do I need to have in my account before I can get coast Rica tourist visa??
How much do I need to have in my account before I can get coast Rica tourist visa? As a Nigerians citizens?
How much do I need to have in my account before I can get coast Rica tourist visa? As a Nigerians citizens who want to visit to coaster Rica?
Good day, I hope this email finds you well. I am Jude Richards, a Nigerian. I was selected to travel for a program and Costa Rica is one of the countries. I write to kindly ask how I can apply for a Costa Rican visa. Thank you!?
Good day sir/madam, please how can I get a tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. Thanks?
Hello Sir/Ma My name is Amadasun Osamuyimen a Nigerian, i write to request for how do i apply for Costa Rica Visa from Nigeria?