Costa Rica further extends tourist visas for foreigners in country

Costa Rica’s Immigration Administration will provide foreigners with extra flexibility as countries restrict travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreigners who entered Costa Rica on a tourist visa after December 17, 2019, can legally remain in Costa Rica until August 18, 2020, according to the agency.

The extension is applied automatically; tourists do not have to contact the Immigration Administration to request it. Previously, the automatic extension for tourists was only valid through July 17.

The Immigration Administration has also said it will not enforce penalties for people who have an irregular immigration status because of the coronavirus crisis. That means tourists and others who overstay their visas will not be fined when they next try to exit Costa Rica.

To better accommodate tourists in Costa Rica, the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) is allowing visitors who entered the country after December 17, 2019 to drive with a valid foreign driver’s license until July 17.

Costa Rica typically issues tourist visas for a maximum stay of 90 days, but border restrictions and grounded airlines have made international travel difficult.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Costa Rica has denied entry to non-resident foreigners since March 19. That ban will continue through at least June 15.

Click here to read the Immigration Administration’s full list of administrative measures in response to the COVID-19 crisis.