Costa Rica → Canada
Costa Rica 
CanadaCanada visa requirements for Costa Rica citizens (2026)
Embassy visa required. Yes. Costa Rica passport holders need a visa for Canada that must be issued before travel, usually with an embassy or visa-center appointment. Usually minutes, sometimes several days.
Embassy visa required. Apply in person at the embassy, consulate or official visa center.
VTBy the Visa and Trips editorial teamLast updated
Canada visa requirements for Costa Rica citizens
- Requirement
- Embassy visa required
- Allowed stay
- Set by the embassy on your visa
- Embassy processing
- Usually minutes, sometimes several days
Documents needed
- A valid passport
- Proof that you have enough money for your stay
- Documents showing the purpose of your trip and your ties to your home country, such as a job, home, family or financial assets
How Costa Rica citizens apply for the Canada visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
- Apply online through your IRCC account and upload your documents.
- Pay the visitor visa fee (CAD 100 per person) and the biometrics fee (CAD 85 per person).
- Give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre after you receive the biometrics instruction letter.
- If approved, send your passport so the visa can be placed in it.
Documents the official source asks for
- A valid passport
- Proof that you have enough money for your stay
- Documents showing the purpose of your trip and your ties to your home country, such as a job, home, family or financial assets
Official fees
| Item | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa, per person | CAD 100 |
| Visitor visa, family (5 or more people applying together) | CAD 500 |
| Biometrics, per person | CAD 85 |
Government fees only, from the official sources below. Visa centre or service fees, where they apply, are extra.
Processing time and validity
- Validity and stay: A visitor visa can be valid for up to 10 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The border officer decides how long you can stay, usually up to 6 months.
Good to know
- eTA is needed only when flying to Canada; it is linked to your passport.
Easier alternatives for Costa Rica passport holders
Popular destinations with simpler entry for the Costa Rica passport than Canada, easiest first. Only rules we have verified against an official source are listed.
| Destination | Requirement | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | eTA / ETA required | 180 days |
| Sri Lanka | eTA / ETA required | Per visa terms |
| Thailand | e-Visa required | Per visa terms |
Canada at a glance for travellers
- 54 of 198 passports can enter Canada without a visa (visa-free, visa on arrival or an ETA).
- The Costa Rica passport gets visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 119 destinations in our dataset.
Sources and last checked
| What | Official source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Application steps, fees and documents | IRCC: visit Canada, apply for a visitor visa | 11 Nov 2026 |
| Application steps, fees and documents | IRCC: fee list | 11 Nov 2026 |
| Requirement & allowed stay | Open passport-index dataset (passportindex.org data, 17 Feb 2026) | 17 Feb 2026 |
| Fees, processing & entry formalities | Canada.ca: eTA: how to apply | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Official portal | Government of Canada – visit Canada | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Independent official overview | UK FCDO, Canada entry requirements | 22 Oct 2026 |
The Visa and Trips editorial team checks these sources every week. See our editorial and verification policy.
Frequently asked questions
Do Costa Rica citizens need a visa for Canada?
Yes. Costa Rica passport holders need a visa for Canada that must be issued before travel, usually with an embassy or visa-center appointment. Usually minutes, sometimes several days.
What documents do Costa Rica passport holders need for Canada?
A valid passport; Proof that you have enough money for your stay; Documents showing the purpose of your trip and your ties to your home country, such as a job, home, family or financial assets.
Where do Costa Rica passport holders apply for a Canada visa?
At the embassy, consulate or official visa center of Canada that serves your place of residence, usually in person with an appointment and biometrics.
How long does a Canada visa take for Costa Rica passport holders?
Usually minutes, sometimes several days. Appointment availability varies, so start several weeks before your trip.