Costa Rica vs Mexico: which digital nomad visa fits you?

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa and Mexico Temporary Resident Visa, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.

Income: Different tests
Family: Costa Rica: Yes · Mexico: Not confirmed
Renewable: Costa Rica: Yes · Mexico: Not confirmed

	Costa RicaDigital Nomad Visa	MexicoTemporary Resident Visa
Minimum income	≈ $3,000/mo$3,000 / month	No fixed USD figure
Official rule	USD 3,000 per month (USD 4,000 per month if dependents apply too)	Monthly net income > 680 days of UMA (≈€3,993) over last 6 months, OR average balance of 11,460 days of UMA (≈€67,325) over last 12 months
Stay	1 year	More than 180 days up to 4 years
Renewable	Yes	Not confirmed
Family	Yes	Not confirmed
Fees	USD 100 deposit	Not confirmed
Processing	Decision within 15 calendar days (DGME, online via Trámite YA)	Consulate decides within 10 business days; then you get your card from INM within 30 days of arrival
Official source	racsa.go.cr ↗Verified, checked Oct 22, 2026	consulmex.sre.gob.mx ↗Verified, checked Oct 23, 2026

USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.

Key differences

Costa Rica sets a fixed bar: USD 3,000 a month, or USD 4,000 if dependants apply too. Mexico’s Temporary Resident (economic solvency) route needs net income above 680 days of UMA a month over 6 months (≈€3,993, per the Barcelona consulate), or an average balance of 11,460 days of UMA over 12 months (≈€67,325).
Mexico can run much longer: more than 180 days up to 4 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. Mexico’s consulate decides within 10 business days; the visa must be used within 180 days, then you get your resident card from INM within 30 days of arrival.
Costa Rica confirms family can get the extended stay too, and lists duty-free import of your work equipment and recognition of your foreign driving licence. Mexico’s route is for people who won’t be paid in Mexico.

Quick answers

Which needs less income, Costa Rica or Mexico?

They test different things, so there's no like-for-like ranking. 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). Mexico Temporary Resident Visa: Monthly net income > 680 days of UMA (≈€3,993) over last 6 months, OR average balance of 11,460 days of UMA (≈€67,325) over last 12 months (consulmex.sre.gob.mx, checked Oct 23, 2026).

Which lets you stay longer, Costa Rica or Mexico?

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: 1 year. The 1-year stay can be extended once, for 1 more year. Mexico Temporary Resident Visa: More than 180 days up to 4 years.

Can I bring my family on the Costa Rica or Mexico visa?

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Mexico Temporary Resident Visa: not confirmed on the official page we checked.

How much do the Costa Rica and Mexico visas cost?

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: USD 100 deposit. Mexico Temporary Resident 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

Mexico Temporary Resident Visa

Temporary Resident (economic solvency): for people who will not be paid in Mexico. EUR approximations are those quoted by the Barcelona consulate (page updated 17 Jun 2026); amounts are indexed to the UMA. The consulate decides within 10 business days. The visa must be used to enter Mexico within 180 days, then you get the temporary resident card from INM within 30 days of arrival. Fee is non-refundable.

Sources: consulmex.sre.gob.mx

Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify