canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/ae/to/cr
🇦🇪UAE
🏳CRAE-CR

Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit CR?

No visa required. United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holders are in Costa Rica's First Group of visa-exempt nationalities and can enter for tourism without a visa, receiving an entry stamp for up to 180 days at the port of entry. United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holders do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica for tourism. The UAE is classified in Costa Rica's First Group of visa-exempt countries (alongside the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and others), which permits a visa-free tourist stay of up to 180 calendar days, non-extendable. The exact number of days granted is decided by the immigration officer at the point of entry and is stamped directly into the passport; in practice stamps are frequently issued for less than the full 180 days, so travelers should keep proof of onward travel within their intended window. Costa Rica is a Central American country and is NOT part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to this route. Entry conditions include a machine-readable passport, proof of onward or return travel out of Costa Rica, and proof of sufficient funds (a minimum of US$100 per month of intended stay). There is no tourist visa fee for visa-exempt nationals. There is no eVisa, ETA or visa-on-arrival process to complete in advance for tourism. This verdict was verified against the Costa Rican immigration framework via Wikipedia's visa-policy summary, the Visit Costa Rica official tourism board entry-requirements page, and the Embassy of Costa Rica's published guidance for UAE nationals (current as of 2026-05-31).
VISA-FREETOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
UAE (Golden Visa)Living in UAE as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (First Group visa exemption)
Maximum stay
Up to 180 days (non-extendable; officer-determined at entry)
per entry
Entries
Single entry per stamp; re-entry starts a new permitted period
from issue date
Visa fee
None (no tourist visa required)
consular fee only
Processing time
None - entry stamp issued on arrival
standard track
Validity
Passport recommended valid 6 months beyond stay; entry permit valid for the period stamped
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your visa-free eligibility
As a UAE ordinary passport holder you fall in Costa Rica's First Group and need no visa for tourism. No application or pre-authorization is required before travel.
· No visa· First Group
/02
Check passport validity
Ensure your passport is machine-readable and valid; six months' validity beyond your intended stay is the recommended standard to avoid airline boarding issues.
· 6 months recommended
/03
Book onward or return travel
Arrange a return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica. Immigration and airlines may require evidence you will leave within your permitted stay (typically within 90 days unless you show extended funds).
· Onward ticket required
/04
Prepare proof of funds
Carry evidence of at least US$100 for each month or partial month of your intended stay (card statements or cash are accepted).
· US$100/month
/05
Arrive and clear immigration
Present your passport, onward ticket and funds proof. The officer stamps the permitted stay (up to 180 days) directly into your passport.
· Stamp on arrival
/06
Track your stamped days
Note the exact number of days written by the officer - it may be fewer than 180. Overstaying triggers fines and future-entry problems.
· Avoid overstay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 8 complete
UAE ordinary passport, machine-readable
required
Passport valid 6 months beyond intended stay (recommended)
recommended
Confirmed return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica
required
Proof of funds (min US$100 per month of stay)
required
Accommodation details / address in Costa Rica
recommended
Travel/medical insurance covering the trip
recommended
Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a listed risk country
conditional
Declaration of cash if carrying over US$10,000
conditional
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa feeUS$0No visa required for UAE First Group nationals
Entry stampUS$0Issued free at port of entry
Departure taxUS$29Often included in airfare; payable on exit if not prepaid
Total estimate0US$29incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
First Group visa exemption
Costa Rica places the UAE in its First Group, which is granted visa-free tourist entry of up to 180 days.
High
/02
No Schengen / ETIAS involvement
Costa Rica is in Central America and is not a Schengen state, so EU short-stay rules and ETIAS do not apply.
High
/03
Onward ticket may be checked
Airlines and immigration can require proof you will leave within the permitted period, usually within 90 days.
Medium
/04
Stamped stay can be under 180 days
The officer decides the exact number of days, sometimes fewer than the 180-day maximum.
Medium
/05
Proof of funds requirement
Travelers should be ready to show roughly US$100 per month of stay.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
United Arab Emirates to Costa Rica route verified
Confirmed UAE ordinary passport holders are in Costa Rica's First Group (visa-free up to 180 days) against the Visit Costa Rica board, Costa Rica visa-policy summary and Embassy of Costa Rica guidance. Confirmed Costa Rica is non-Schengen.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UAE citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
No. UAE ordinary passport holders are in Costa Rica's First Group and may enter visa-free for tourism, receiving a stamp for up to 180 days on arrival.
How long can I stay?+
Is Costa Rica part of Schengen / do I need ETIAS?+
Do I need a return ticket and proof of money?+
How much passport validity do I need?+
Is there any fee or online form before travel?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the UAE passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.