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🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇨🇷Costa RicaAE-CR

United Arab Emirates to Costa Rica visa requirements

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, which permits a visa-free tourist stay of up to 180 calendar days. 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 can be issued for less than the full 180 days, so travelers should keep proof of onward travel within their intended window. First Group stays are generally non-extendable, except that travelers granted fewer than 90 days may request an extension up to 90 days total. 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 valid, good-condition, machine-readable or biometric 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). The First Group official minimum passport validity is valid on arrival/one day, but the stay granted cannot exceed passport validity. 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 Costa Rica's AJ-484-11-2025 immigration grouping, the Visit Costa Rica official tourism board entry-requirements page, and UAE MoFA guidance for Emirati citizens.
VISA-FREETOURISMENTRY PERMISSION IS ISSUED PER ADMISSION; ANY RE-ENTRY IS SUBJECT TO IMMIGRATION OFFICER APPROVALLast verified 2026-06-18
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.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-18
Visa type
Visa-free (First Group visa exemption)
Maximum stay
Up to 180 days (officer-determined; generally non-extendable, except travelers granted fewer than 90 days may request an extension up to 90 days total)
per entry
Entries
Entry permission is issued per admission; any re-entry is subject to immigration officer approval
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 must be valid, in good condition, and machine-readable or biometric; First Group minimum passport validity is one day/valid on arrival, and the stay granted cannot exceed passport validity
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 in good condition and machine-readable or biometric. Costa Rica's First Group minimum is validity on arrival, but the stay granted cannot exceed passport validity; keep enough remaining validity for your intended stay and any airline/transit requirements.
· Valid passport· Machine-readable/biometric
/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

11 items
Personalized checklist
United Arab Emirates -> Costa Rica · Visa-free (First Group visa exemption)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUAE ordinary passport, machine-readable
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredPassport valid on arrival; stay granted cannot exceed passport validity
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of funds (min US$100 per month of stay)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedAccommodation details / address in Costa Rica
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalYellow fever certificate if arriving from a listed risk country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
ConditionalDeclaration of cash if carrying over US$10,000
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesVisit Costa Rica (official tourism board) - Entry RequirementsCosta Rica PGR/SINALEVI - AJ-484-11-2025UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Embassy in San Jose FAQ
Application link included: Visit Costa Rica (official tourism board) - Entry Requirements
Open link
/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 estimate0 — US$29incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry on arrival
Immediate at the border
No prior application; the immigration officer issues the entry stamp upon arrival after document checks.
/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
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-18 · major
Costa Rica passport and extension rules corrected
Replaced secondary sources with Costa Rica AJ-484-11-2025 and official tourism/UAE MoFA sources, corrected First Group passport-validity wording, and added the limited under-90-days extension exception.
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 official Costa Rica and UAE MoFA 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 United Arab Emirates passport

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United Arab Emirates passport power
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