Costa Rican citizens traveling to the United States require a B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa — Costa Rica is not a member of the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA is not available for Costa Rican passport holders. However, Costa Rica enjoys one of the strongest bilateral relationships with the United States of any Central American country, and Costa Ricans benefit from relatively favorable visa approval rates compared to regional neighbors. This 2026 guide covers the full application process, work visa options including the E-2 investor visa, and green card pathways.
- B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa for Costa Rican Citizens
- Work Visas for Costa Rican Citizens
- Green Card Options for Costa Rican Citizens
- Work Visa Options for Costa Rican Nationals
- Tourist & Business Visa Options for Costa Rican Nationals
- Green Card Pathways for Costa Rican Nationals
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa for Costa Rican Citizens
All nonimmigrant visits to the United States for tourism, medical treatment, or short business activities require a B-1/B-2 visa for Costa Rican passport holders. Applications are processed at the U.S. Embassy in San José:
- Current wait times: Approximately 4–12 weeks for a B-1/B-2 interview at the San José embassy in 2026. Check current times at travel.state.gov.
- Application fee: $185 MRV fee, non-refundable regardless of outcome.
- Key documents: DS-160 confirmation, valid passport, photo, fee receipt, and evidence of ties to Costa Rica (employment letter, property, bank statements, family).
- Approval outlook: Costa Rica has relatively favorable denial rates compared to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Strong employment and family ties in Costa Rica, combined with a clear travel purpose and itinerary, produce good approval odds.
Work Visas for Costa Rican Citizens
E-2 Investor Visa
Costa Rica has a bilateral investment treaty with the United States, making Costa Rican nationals eligible for the E-2 investor visa. This is one of the most practical US work visas for Costa Rican entrepreneurs. Requirements: a substantial at-risk investment in a US business, intent to develop and direct the enterprise, and the investment must be proportional to the total cost of establishing the business. E-2 visas are typically granted for 2 years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business remains active.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Costa Rican professionals in technology, engineering, architecture, healthcare, and other specialty fields can be sponsored for H-1B visas by US employers. The FY2027 lottery closed in March 2026 with results released by March 31. The H-1B is subject to an annual cap of 65,000 (plus 20,000 master’s exemptions) filled through random lottery selection.
H-2B Seasonal Non-Agricultural Workers
Costa Rica is an eligible H-2B sending country for seasonal non-agricultural work in hospitality, landscaping, and other industries. The FY2026 supplemental H-2B allocation was recently exhausted. The standard H-2B cap for the next fiscal year opens October 1, 2026.
Green Card Options for Costa Rican Citizens
- EB-5 Investor Green Card: Requires a minimum $800,000 investment in a USCIS-approved project (Targeted Employment Area) or $1,050,000 in standard areas. Creates 10 full-time jobs. Costa Ricans face no per-country backlog — dates are current.
- EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based: No per-country backlog. Costa Rican nationals can access these categories faster than India/China nationals.
- DV Lottery: Costa Ricans are eligible. Free to enter at dvlottery.state.gov each October.
- Family-based: Costa Rican nationals with US citizen or permanent resident relatives can be petitioned through family preference categories.
Related Guides
- US Visa Appointment Wait Times 2026: Every Country & Consulate
- DS-160 Form Guide 2026: How to Fill Out the Online Visa Application
- New US Visa Interview Rules 2026: Fear-of-Return Question Explained
- How to Get a U.S. Green Card 2026: Every Pathway Explained
Work Visa Options for Costa Rican Nationals
Working in the United States requires an employer-sponsored visa or, in some cases, self-petition eligibility. The most common work visas for Costa Rican nationals include:
| Visa | Purpose | Duration | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Specialty occupation | 3 years (extendable to 6) | US employer sponsor + annual lottery (cap: 85,000) |
| L-1 | Intracompany transfer | 1–3 years (extendable) | 1 year with overseas affiliate/parent/subsidiary |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability | 1 year (renewable) | National/international acclaim in field |
| TN | N/A | N/A | Only for Canadian and Mexican nationals (USMCA) |
Note (May 2026): Under the interim final rule implementing H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), effective May 29, 2026, H-1B extensions and new petitions now carry a $250 Visa Integrity Fee in addition to existing filing fees. Plan budgets accordingly.
Tourist & Business Visa Options for Costa Rican Nationals
Costa Rican nationals are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). All travel to the United States — including tourism and short business visits — requires obtaining a visa at a US consulate or embassy before departure.
| Visa Type | Max Stay | Wait Time | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-2 Tourist Visa | Up to 6 months | 1–3 weeks consulate wait | Bank statements, ties to Costa Rica |
| B-1 Business Visa | Up to 6 months | 1–3 weeks consulate wait | Business invitation letter |
| E-2 Investor Visa | 2 years (renewable) | 3–5 months | Substantial investment in US business |
Green Card Pathways for Costa Rican Nationals
Lawful permanent residence (the Green Card) is available through employment, family, or special programs. Wait times depend on the category and annual visa supply.
| Category | Path | Typical Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Extraordinary ability / multinational exec | 1–2 years | No labor cert. required; self-petition possible for EB-1A |
| EB-2 / EB-3 | Professional / skilled worker | 2–5 years | PERM labor certification + employer sponsor required |
| EB-5 | Investor ($800K–$1.05M) | 2–4 years | Investment in TEA or non-TEA US enterprise |
| Family (IR/F) | US citizen or LPR sponsor | Immediate–10+ years | Immediate relatives (spouse, minor children, parents) are fastest |
E-2 to Green Card: Costa Rica is an E-2 treaty country, allowing nationals to invest in a US business and obtain nonimmigrant status. While the E-2 itself is nonimmigrant, investors can self-petition for an EB-5 immigrant visa ($800K–$1.05M investment) as a path to permanent residence.
Costa Rica has an E-2 treaty with the United States, making Costa Rican nationals eligible for the E-2 investor visa. This requires a substantial, at-risk investment in a US business that the investor will actively manage. The E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa but can be renewed indefinitely in 2-year increments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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