Student special category (estudiantes) and student dependants
Official name: Categoría especial – Estudiantes, investigadores, docentes y voluntarios, y dependientes de estudiantes (Reglamento de Extranjería arts. 124-127)
Foreigners enrolled at a recognised educational institution in Costa Rica can get a one-year, renewable special immigration category as a student from DGME. The application needs a certificate from the school and proof of financial means certified by a public accountant (or a scholarship certificate). Students may not do paid work unless DGME authorises an exception. Parents, spouse and minor children can apply as dependants. Time as a student does not count as temporary residence.
Life in Costa Rica
Finance
3
Currency
Costa Rican Colón
CRC
Costa Rican Colón
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–25%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 13%
Salary scale 2026: monthly salary up to CRC 918,000 exempt; 25% on the excess over CRC 4,727,000 a month. Self-employed have a separate annual scale.
Living
1
Happiness
#4 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Foreign students at recognised Costa Rican schools, colleges and universities, and their dependants. The same category covers researchers, teachers and volunteers with different documents.
Eligibility
Enrolment at a recognised institution
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow a certificate from the institution's legal representative or director stating you are a student there.
- Institution must be a recognised educational centre
Official wording
A certificate signed by the legal representative or director of the institution stating that the person is a student of that recognised educational centre.
Financial means
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow proof of financial means certified by an authorised public accountant, stating where the money comes from.
- Accountant must be a contador público autorizado
- Scholarship holders give a certificate from the funding institution
- Scholarship certificate states amount, duration and costs covered
Official wording
Proof of financial means certified by an authorised public accountant (contador público autorizado), stating where the money comes from. Scholarship holders give a certificate from the funding institution with the amount, duration and costs covered.
No paid work
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou may not carry out or take part in paid, profit-making activities as a foreign student.
- DGME may authorise an exception by reasoned resolution
Official wording
Foreign students may not carry out or take part in paid, profit-making activities; DGME may authorise an exception by reasoned resolution.
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