Costa Rica entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 24, 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
Vietnamese passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate — there is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply at Costa Rican embassy or consulate | You need a visa before traveling to Costa Rica. Apply at the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Processing times vary, so start at least 4 weeks before your trip.Check visa requirements | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Costa Rica. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Costa Rican immigration, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at San José airport routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a ticket to your next destination ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Officers may ask where you're staying. Have a hotel confirmation, hostel booking, or a letter from your host with their address and phone number ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Immigration may ask for evidence of sufficient funds. Carry bank statements, credit cards, or cash equivalent to at least $100 USD per day of your stay. | Recommended |
No visa-on-arrival — apply before you fly
Costa Rica does not offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa for Vietnamese passport holders. You must get a visa from an embassy or consulate before departure. Arriving without one means immediate denial of entry.
Embassy contact is essential
Since there's no Costa Rican embassy in Vietnam, you'll need to contact the embassy in Thailand or the Philippines to find out which jurisdiction covers your application. Start this process early.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Gather your passport (valid 6+ months), completed visa application form, passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements, and travel insurance. Make copies of everything.
2
Submit your visa application
Contact the Costa Rican embassy or consulate in your region (e.g., Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City if in Vietnam) to book an appointment. Submit the form and pay the visa fee — typically around $30–$50 USD, but confirm with the embassy.
3
Wait for processing
Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks. Some applications may take longer if additional documents are requested. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have the visa.
4
Arrive in Costa Rica
At the airport (usually San José Juan Santamaría International), present your passport with the visa sticker, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Immigration may ask about your plans — answer clearly.
Download Costa Rica Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 24, 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. 750,000 VND)
Standard option for tourism; must apply before travel.
Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$50 USD (approx. 1,250,000 VND)
Ideal for multiple visits within validity period.
Work visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$100 USD (approx. 2,500,000 VND) plus employer sponsorship
Requires a job offer and employer to sponsor.
Student visa
Max stayDuration of studies
ValidityUp to 1 year, renewable
Cost$50 USD (approx. 1,250,000 VND) plus enrollment proof
Must be enrolled in a recognized institution.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement)
2 years, renewable
$100 USD (approx. 2,500,000 VND) application fee
For retirees with a guaranteed monthly pension of at least $1,000 USD from a recognized source. Allows permanent residency after 3 years.
digital nomad visa
Rentista Visa (Digital Nomad)
2 years, renewable
$100 USD (approx. 2,500,000 VND) application fee
For individuals with a steady foreign income of at least $2,500 USD per month. No local employment allowed.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor)
2 years, renewable
$200 USD (approx. 5,000,000 VND) plus investment proof
Requires a minimum investment of $200,000 USD in Costa Rican real estate or business. Leads to permanent residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Required for Vietnam passport holders; apply at Costa Rican embassy or consulate. | $30 USD (approx. 750,000 VND) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $50 USD (approx. 1,250,000 VND) |
| Stay extension feeExtensions are not available for tourist visa; this is for other visa types. | $50 USD (approx. 1,250,000 VND) per extension |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum fine cap of $500 USD. | $10 USD (approx. 250,000 VND) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
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
Transit visa required
Vietnam passport holders need a transit visa to change planes in Costa Rica, even if staying airside. Apply before travel.
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa may transit without a visa for up to 12 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 yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Colombia).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialInfluenzaRecommended
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; present in lowland areas, especially during rainy season.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; sporadic outbreaks occur.
Zika virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is low in most tourist areas; prophylaxis recommended for remote lowland regions (e.g., Limón province).
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
La Uruca, San José, Costa Rica
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and immigration matters; arrive early to avoid long waits.
Liberia
Oficina Regional de Migración
Liberia, Guanacaste
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Serves the northern Pacific region; useful for travellers near the border.
Practical information for VN 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. Costa Rica does not offer visa-on-arrival for Vietnamese citizens. You must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. Apply well in advance — at least 6 weeks before your planned departure to be safe.
The visa fee is usually around $30–$50 USD, but this can vary by embassy. Check with the specific embassy or consulate where you apply.
It's not always required, but it's smart to have recent bank statements showing sufficient funds for your stay. A few hundred dollars per week is a good guideline.
Extensions are not available for tourist visa holders. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines and future entry bans.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next available flight. There is no way to get a visa at the airport.
Costa Rica does not have an embassy in Vietnam. You may need to apply through the Costa Rican embassy in a neighboring country (e.g., Thailand or the Philippines) or through a consulate that covers your region. Contact the nearest embassy for instructions.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 24, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.