Costa Rica vs Colombia: which digital nomad visa fits you?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa and Colombia Digital Nomad Visa, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.
- Income
- Colombia is lower
- Family
- Costa Rica: Yes · Colombia: Yes
- Renewable
- Costa Rica: Yes · Colombia: Not confirmed
| Costa RicaDigital Nomad Visa | ColombiaDigital Nomad Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | ≈ $3,000/mo$3,000 / month | ≈ $1,655/mo5,252,715 COP / month |
| Official rule | USD 3,000 per month (USD 4,000 per month if dependents apply too) | COP 5,252,715 per month: 3× Colombia's 2026 legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV COP 1,750,905), shown in bank statements for the last 3 months |
| Stay | 1 year | Up to 2 years |
| Renewable | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Family | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | USD 100 deposit | Not confirmed |
| Processing | Decision within 15 calendar days (DGME, online via Trámite YA) | Not stated |
| Official source | racsa.go.cr ↗Verified, checked Oct 22, 2026 | cancilleria.gov.co ↗Verified, checked Oct 19, 2026 |
USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.
Key differences
- Colombia’s bar is lower: COP 5,252,715 a month (3× the 2026 minimum wage), shown in your last 3 months of bank statements. Costa Rica asks for USD 3,000 a month, or USD 4,000 if dependants apply too.
- Colombia’s visa lasts up to 2 years. Costa Rica gives 1 year, extendable once for another year.
- Costa Rica is applied for online through DGME’s Trámite YA platform, from Costa Rica or abroad, with a decision within 15 calendar days and a USD 100 deposit. Colombia needs a passport from a country exempt from short-stay visas.
- Both confirm family can come. Colombia requires health insurance covering Colombia for the whole stay and bars paid work for Colombian companies; Costa Rica lists duty-free import of your work equipment and recognition of your foreign driving licence.
Quick answers
Which needs less income, Costa Rica or Colombia?
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa has the lower bar: about $1,655 a month, versus about $3,000 for Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa (a gap of roughly $1,345 a month at exchange rates of Oct 20, 2026). Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: COP 5,252,715 per month: 3× Colombia's 2026 legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV COP 1,750,905), shown in bank statements for the last 3 months (cancilleria.gov.co, checked Oct 19, 2026). Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: USD 3,000 per month (USD 4,000 per month if dependents apply too) (racsa.go.cr, checked Oct 22, 2026).
Which lets you stay longer, Costa Rica or Colombia?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: 1 year. The 1-year stay can be extended once, for 1 more year. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: Up to 2 years.
Can I bring my family on the Costa Rica or Colombia visa?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included.
How much do the Costa Rica and Colombia visas cost?
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: USD 100 deposit. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed on the official source.
Full official notes
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Source: RACSA (state telecom running the DGME Trámite YA platform). Apply online via Trámite YA from Costa Rica or abroad; DGME decides within 15 calendar days. Stay of 1 year, extendable once for 1 more year. Spouse, partner or family group can get the extended stay too. A USD 15 bank commission applies to each international payment. Listed benefits include duty-free import of work equipment and recognition of your foreign driving licence. migracion.go.cr blocks automated access.
Sources: racsa.go.cr · racsa.go.cr
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
Passport must be from a country that is exempt from short-stay visas. Remote work only for foreign companies (employee or freelancer), or a digital-content/IT start-up. Health insurance covering Colombia for the whole stay required. No paid work for Colombian companies. Dependants (beneficiarios) allowed. 2026 minimum wage per Decreto 1469 de 2025, kept by Decreto 159 de 2026 while a Council of State case is pending.
Sources: cancilleria.gov.co · cancilleria.gov.co · dapre.presidencia.gov.co
Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify
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Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa asks for health insurance
The official requirements for Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa mention health insurance. SafetyWing offers nomad insurance.
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