Remote worker / digital nomad status
Estatus de trabajador o prestador remoto de servicios (Ley 10008)
A one-year status, renewable once, for people earning stable foreign income. The statute exempts that income from Costa Rican income tax and exempts imported work equipment from duty. It does not lead to permanent residence.
Who it is for. Remote employees and service providers with foreign income of at least USD 3,000 a month, or USD 4,000 with family.
Worth knowing. Ley 10008 and its regulation set the thresholds at USD 3,000 for a single applicant and USD 4,000 where dependants are included. This status is deliberately temporary and does not count towards permanent residence.
- Income required
- US$3,000
- Savings required
- Not stated
- Investment required
- None
- Application fee
- US$100
- Processing time
- 15–90 days
- Permission lasts
- 12 months
- Permanent residence
- Not via this route
- Citizenship
- Not via this route
a month
Renewable
Application checklist
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Documents
Fees
After you arrive
Restrictions
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How the process runs
Lead times are the ones the authorities publish or that applicants consistently report. Added up, they come to roughly 3 months — start with whatever takes longest.
Assemble twelve months of income evidence
≈ 30 daysBank statements or a certified letter showing income at or above USD 3,000 a month, or USD 4,000 with family.
Take out qualifying medical cover
≈ 14 daysValid in Costa Rica for the whole period.
Submit online to the DGME
≈ 15 daysThe remote worker status is applied for online rather than at a consulate.
Enter and collect the DIMEX card
≈ 30 daysGive biometrics and obtain the identity card after approval.
Official forms
Always download the current version from the authority. Consulates publish their own variants, and an out-of-date form is a common reason for rejection.
Solicitud de estatus de trabajador remoto
onlineApplication for the remote worker status under Ley 10008.
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería · Spanish
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Remote worker status applicationPayable to Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería | US$100 |
| DIMEX identity cardPayable to Banco de Costa Rica on behalf of DGME | US$90 |
Why we say this
The wording behind the headline figures on this page.
Income earned abroad under the remote worker status is exempt from Costa Rican income tax.
Ley 10008 establishes the status of remote worker and international service provider and grants beneficiaries an exemption from income tax on the earnings that qualify them for the status, together with relief from import duty on work equipment.
Sources
Worth knowing. Ley 10008 and its regulation set the thresholds at USD 3,000 for a single applicant and USD 4,000 where dependants are included. This status is deliberately temporary and does not count towards permanent residence.
Check this against
- Ley 10008 — Ley para atraer trabajadores y prestadores remotos de servicios de carácter internacional (opens in a new tab)Asamblea Legislativa de Costa Rica · Government department
- DGME — residence categories, rentista and pensionado requirements (opens in a new tab)Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería · National immigration authority