Costa Rica entry requirements for Uzbekistan passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 26, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Uzbek passport holders need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You must apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option for Uzbek citizens as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa required Apply for a visa at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate | Uzbekistan passport holders need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Submit your application at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no online eVisa option. Processing times vary by location, so apply at least 4 weeks before your departure.Check visa info | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Costa Rica. Immigration officers at San José Airport check this carefully — if your passport expires during your trip, you may be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Costa Rica | Immigration at Juan Santamaría Airport routinely asks for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready showing your flight out of Costa Rica within your visa validity. Airlines also check this before issuing your boarding pass. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers may ask where you're staying. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and contact number ready. A printed copy works best — phone screens can be unreliable at the counter. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can cover your stay | Immigration can request proof you have enough money for your trip. Carry bank statements or a credit card with a visible limit — $100 per day of your stay is a safe benchmark. They rarely ask, but having it avoids delays. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival or e-visa
Uzbek passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival or use an e-visa for Costa Rica. You must apply at a Costa Rican embassy before you travel. Plan ahead — processing can take weeks.
Nearest embassy options
Since there is no Costa Rican embassy in Uzbekistan, apply through the embassy in Moscow or Ankara. Check their websites for current requirements and appointment availability.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at a Costa Rican embassy
Contact the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your region (e.g., Moscow, Ankara, or Tashkent if available). Submit the visa application form, passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, and bank statements. Pay the visa fee — typically around $30–$50 depending on the embassy. Processing takes 5–15 business days.
2
Wait for visa approval
Once submitted, the embassy reviews your application. You may be asked for an interview. If approved, the visa is stamped in your passport. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa.
3
Arrive at Costa Rica immigration
At San José Airport (SJO) or any land border, present your passport with the visa, return ticket, and hotel booking. Immigration officers may ask about your plans. Answer clearly. They rarely ask for proof of funds, but have bank statements ready just in case.
4
Get your entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the number of days allowed (usually up to 30 days, matching your visa). Check the stamp before leaving the counter. If you need more time, you can apply for an extension at the immigration office in San José.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Uzbekistan Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 26, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD (approx. 30 USD)
Standard option for tourism; must apply before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$60 USD (approx. 60 USD)
For frequent visitors; allows multiple entries.
Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$200 USD (approx. 200 USD)
Requires proof of income or investment; for extended stays.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$200 USD application fee + $100 USD per year
For retirees with a permanent income of at least $1,000 USD per month. Requires proof of pension or investment income. Allows residency and work permit for spouse.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
2 years, renewable
$250 USD application fee + $100 USD per year
For remote workers with a monthly income of $2,500 USD or more. Requires proof of employment or business income. No local tax on foreign income.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$500 USD application fee + $200 USD per year
For investors who invest at least $200,000 USD in Costa Rican real estate or business. Requires proof of investment and business plan.
work visa
Trabajador Visa (Work)
1 year, renewable
$300 USD application fee + $150 USD per year
For those with a job offer from a Costa Rican employer. Requires employer sponsorship and labor ministry approval.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Required for Uzbekistan passport holders; apply at Costa Rican embassy or consulate. | $30 USD (approx. 30 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $60 USD (approx. 60 USD) |
| Stay extension feeFor extension of stay beyond initial visa period; subject to approval. | $50 USD (approx. 50 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayCharged for each day overstayed; maximum cap applies. | $10 USD per day (max $200 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Unclear travel purpose20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Costa Rica
No transit visa needed
Uzbekistan passport holders transiting through Costa Rica do not need a visa if they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 12 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without visa for up to 24 hours.
Transit hubsJuan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Health & vaccines for Costa Rica
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of South America or Africa).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease; risk in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks reported.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consider for remote jungle regions.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San José
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
Avenida 10, Calle 17, Barrio La California
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and immigration matters.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle Central, Avenida 1, Frente al Parque
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Serves northern Pacific region; useful for travellers near Guanacaste.
Practical information for UZ travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan José
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyCosta Rican colón (CRC)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 453.08 CRC
Time zone
Local timeUTC-6
vs New York-1h
vs Los Angeles+1h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B (same as US/Canada)
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is generally not safe for tourists; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. Uzbekistan is not on the list of countries eligible for visa on arrival. You must get a visa from a Costa Rican embassy before you travel.
There is no Costa Rican embassy in Uzbekistan. The nearest options are the Costa Rican embassy in Moscow, Russia, or the embassy in Ankara, Turkey. You can apply by mail or in person — check the embassy website for exact procedures.
Processing usually takes 5 to 15 business days. Start your application at least 4 weeks before your planned departure to allow for delays.
The visa fee varies by embassy but is typically around $30 to $50 USD. Some embassies may charge additional processing or courier fees.
Yes, you can apply for an extension at the immigration office in San José (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería). Extensions are not guaranteed and cost around $50–$100. Apply before your current visa expires.
You typically need: a valid passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, two passport-sized photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements (last 3 months), and a cover letter explaining your travel purpose. Check with the specific embassy for their exact list.
Not officially required for entry, but strongly recommended. Medical costs in Costa Rica are high — a hospital visit can cost $500+ per day. Many travellers use SafetyWing or similar providers.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 26, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.