Costa Rica digital nomad visa for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Costa Rica's digital nomad visa? Yes, as long as the work is for someone abroad. Ley 10008 covers foreigners who provide paid remote services whether as an employee or not (de manera subordinada o no) for a person or legal entity located abroad, paid from abroad. A founder billing their own foreign company or foreign clients fits that wording; local clients do not. Work for local clients or employers is barred. Income needed: At least US$3,000 a month (or equivalent) in stable pay, fixed income or average monthly income over the last year, received from abroad; US$4,000 a month if family members are included (combined household income may count). Proven with bank statements plus a sworn declaration, or a certificate from a public accountant or notary.
Costa Rica's digital nomad visa, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | Ley 10008 creates a non-resident stay subcategory for remote workers or remote service providers (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Income | Monthly income of at least US$3,000 or equivalent, averaged over the last year, in pay or fixed income that keeps arriving while you are away from home (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Family | Applying with family (spouse or partner, children under 25, children with a disability, older adults living with you) raises the income test to US$4,000 a month, which household members may combine (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Own company | The law covers paid remote services provided as an employee or not, so independent and self-employed work qualifies (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Own company | The services must be for an individual or legal entity located abroad, paid from abroad (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Local work | Holders may not do paid work or services in Costa Rica beyond what the remote worker stay allows (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Stay | Granted for up to 1 year, extendable once for 1 more year; Ley 10208 of 2022 clarified that shorter terms can be granted (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Stay | To get the extension you must have spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Fee | US$100 application fee payable to the Government, or the equivalent in colones; a further US$90 is payable for the residence document (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| How to apply | Apply online through the immigration department's Trámite Ya platform (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Processing time | The immigration department has 15 calendar days to decide (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
| Tax | Holders get a full exemption from Costa Rican income tax on profits and are never treated as habitual tax residents; foreign income is not Costa Rican source. Family members do not get this exemption (translated from Spanish). | sinalevi.go.cr |
Questions founders ask about Costa Rica
- Can I run my own company on the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
- Yes, as long as the work is for someone abroad. Ley 10008 covers foreigners who provide paid remote services whether as an employee or not (de manera subordinada o no) for a person or legal entity located abroad, paid from abroad. A founder billing their own foreign company or foreign clients fits that wording; local clients do not.
- Can I work for clients in Costa Rica on it?
- Barred. Article 14 says holders may not do paid work or services in Costa Rica other than what the remote worker stay permits, and Article 13 cancels the status (and its tax breaks) if they do.
- How much income do I need for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
- At least US$3,000 a month (or equivalent) in stable pay, fixed income or average monthly income over the last year, received from abroad; US$4,000 a month if family members are included (combined household income may count). Proven with bank statements plus a sworn declaration, or a certificate from a public accountant or notary.
- How much does the Costa Rica digital nomad visa cost?
- US$100 application fee, then US$90 for the residence document, plus a guarantee deposit set by separate regulation (all payable to the Government, or the equivalent in colones). That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Costa Rica digital nomad visa?
- Up to 1 year, extendable once for 1 more year if you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica in the first year. Before it expires you may apply to change to another migration category where you qualify; the stay itself is non-resident status.
- Do I become tax resident in Costa Rica?
- Holders get a full exemption from Costa Rican income tax on profits and are never treated as habitual tax residents; foreign income is not Costa Rican source. Family members do not get this exemption (translated from Spanish). A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
Brazil · Colombia · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Remote worker or remote service provider stay (Trabajador o Prestador Remoto de Servicios), Ley 10008 of 2021, the digital nomad law
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Barred
- Stay
- Up to 1 year, extendable once for 1 more year if you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica in the first year. Before it expires you may apply to change to another migration category where you qualify; the stay itself is non-resident status.
- Government fee
- US$100 application fee, then US$90 for the residence document, plus a guarantee deposit set by separate regulation (all payable to the Government, or the equivalent in colones).
- Official page
- sinalevi.go.cr
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check sinalevi.go.cr before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.