Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa vs. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

Picking a digital nomad visa to apply for is a life-changing decision. With various requirements and benefits, you may be wondering what exactly the difference is when examining the Costa Rica digital nomad visa vs. Colombia digital nomad visa. 

While both Latin American countries are popular amongst digital nomads thanks to their tropical weather, gorgeous beaches, and decent wifi connection, the digital nomad visas are drastically different. Let’s also not forget that Costa Rica is in Central America and is home to popular cities for digital nomads, while Colombia is in South America. 

When it comes to choosing between the Costa Rica digital nomad visa vs. Colombia digital nomad visa, you must look at the visa requirements, visa benefits, and life inside the country. 

To help you make your decision, Nomads Embassy has compared the Costa Rica digital nomad visa vs. Colombia digital nomad visa side-by-side to give you a run down of the most important details. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

There are over 30 digital nomad visas available around the world. These visas are specifically for remote workers to live abroad temporarily. 

Usually, these visas last for about a year and are renewable a couple of times. However, in some cases, they can lead to permanent residency. 

It’s important to note that digital nomad visas do not allow you to seek local employment in the country. 

You must earn your income working remotely either as an employee or owner of a company or freelance for clients located outside of the country where you hold the digital nomad visa. 

The Importance of Choosing the Right Digital Nomad Visa

Applying for a digital nomad visa is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

While they do not require you to search for a job abroad, there are some serious things to consider, such as how to find an apartment to live, if you can drive in the country, and opening bank accounts if necessary. 

There are also the tax implications of digital nomad visas that you must consider. Sometimes, moving to a foreign country can be detrimental to how much you owe in taxes if you don’t plan accordingly. 

Choosing a digital nomad visa should be something you think deeply about and research. And well, if you’re here reading this article, you’re doing just that! 

Comparing the pros and cons of each visa and imagining what life will be like for you is a crucial part of picking the right digital nomad visa to apply for. 

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa vs. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa by Nomads Embassy

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa vs. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

In this article, we are comparing the Costa Rica digital nomad visa vs. Colombia digital nomad visa for an easy and straightforward way to assist you in making your decision. 

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads has a mission to make the world more accessible to digital nomads by sharing verified information in an easy and comprehensive way. 

Plus, with our hand-selected local immigration lawyers and our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa service, we’ve made the digital nomad visa application process even easier. 

From research to relocation, Nomads Embassy is here to simplify the digital nomad visa process.  

Visa Requirements

Each digital nomad visa has a specific set of eligibility requirements applicants must meet to be considered for approval. 

Below is a comparison of Costa Rica digital nomad visa vs. Colombia digital nomad visa requirements. 

Valid Passport

• Costa Rica – Passport must be valid for at the time of applying
• Colombia – Passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of applying

You must have a valid passport when applying for both Costa Rica and Colombia digital nomad visas. However, the validity period is different. 

Income Requirement

• Costa Rica – $3,000 per month
• Colombia – $900 per month

Colombia’s income requirement is much less than Costa Rica’s requirement. 

If you plan to bring family members to Costa Rica, then the minimum income requirement increases to $4,000 per month. 

Work Remotely

• Costa Rica – Yes
• Colombia – Yes

Both countries require applicants to show proof that they work remotely through employment and/or freelance contracts or a business established abroad. 

International Health Insurance

• Costa Rica – Yes
• Colombia – Yes

Both countries require applicants to have an international health insurance policy that covers them in the country for the duration of their visa. 

Clean Criminal Record

• Costa Rica – No
• Colombia – No

Neither country requires applicants to submit a criminal background check when applying for the digital nomad visas. 

Address of Accommodations

• Costa Rica – No
• Colombia – No

Costa Rica and Colombia do not require a proof of accommodation during the visa application process. 

They may require you to submit your address once you have entered the country and apply for a temporary residence permit. 

Family Inclusion

• Costa Rica – Yes
• Colombia – Yes

Costa Rica and Colombia allow applicants to include a spouse and dependents below the age of 18. 

Application Process

• Costa Rica – Online application
• Colombia – Online application

Applicants can submit their documents and visa application through online portals set up by Costa Rica and Colombia’s governments. There is no need to visit an embassy or consulate. 

So, you can apply for the visa while already in the country, technically.

Time to Approval

• Costa Rica – 14 days
• Colombia – 30 days

After submitting your documents to the authorities, it will take about 14 days to receive an answer from Costa Rica and 30 days to receive an answer from Colombia.

Visa Term

• Costa Rica – 12 months
• Colombia – 12 months

Both digital nomad visas in Costa Rica and Colombia are valid for one year. 

Renewal Options

• Costa Rica – renewable once
• Colombia – renewable once

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa and Colombia digital nomad visa is renewable once, allowing remote workers to live in both countries for up to two years.

Path to Permanent Residency

• Costa Rica – No
• Colombia – No

Neither the Costa Rica digital nomad visa nor the Colombia digital nomad visa will lead to permanent residency. 

Government Fees

• Costa Rica – $150
• Colombia – $220

Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa fees are less than half of the cost when applying for Colombia’s digital nomad visa. However, depending on where you apply from for Colombia, the fee can range from $170 to $230. 

Tax Implications

• Costa Rica – Not Taxed
• Colombia – Tax resident

Costa Rica does not consider digital nomads tax residents. In fact, they can import their cars and office supplies tax-free as well. 

Colombia will consider digital nomads tax residents if they spend 183 days in the country out of the year. 

Nationality Restrictions

• Costa Rica – No
• Colombia – Yes

Digital nomads who can enter Colombia without applying for a tourist visa are eligible to apply for the digital nomad visa. 

Costa Rica has not imposed nationality restrictions on those who can apply for the digital nomad visa. 

Difficulty of Applying on Your Own

• Costa Rica – 6/10
• Colombia – 7/10

While it is completely possible to apply for both the Costa Rica and Colombia digital nomad visas on your own, it has not proven to be easy. 

When dealing with embassies or consulates, you can count on long wait times on phone calls, emails, and low-tier custom service. There also tends to be a lot of miscommunication between the consulate, the government, and applicants. 

Applying for a digital nomad visa with an immigration lawyer can ease this stress and miscommunication. Part of the lawyer’s job is to communicate with the embassy, consulate, and other authorities on your behalf so you don’t have to wait on hold for hours. 

Having a local immigration lawyer that speaks the language can also help you get questions answered, push your application faster, and get updates on the status of your application quicker. 

Begin Your Digital Nomad Visa Application with Nomads Embassy

Did this article help you decide which digital nomad visa to apply for? 

After weighing the pros and cons of the Costa Rica digital nomad visa vs. Colombia digital nomad visa, you probably have a better understanding of which is best for your lifestyle and goals. 

Deciding which digital nomad visa to apply for is just the first step. Now, it’s time to connect with a local immigration lawyer to assist you with your relocation process. 

Nomads Embassy is here to help connect you with our hand-selected and verified immigration lawyers worldwide.

To begin your digital nomad visa application process, request our free eligibility check today!