Visa for the United States from Costa Rica: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. A Costa Rican passport is not enough for a tourist stay in the United States: you need a visa obtained in advance from a US embassy or consulate. The decision is made after an in-person interview. Note that the visa allows you to present yourself at the border, but admission to the country is decided by the immigration officer on entry.

• Government fee185 USD
• Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Bring a valid passport, a photo in the required format, the form confirmation page and proof of payment. Add documents that explain your plans: accommodation booking, proof of funds, employment or study certificate, and travel insurance if you have it. The official fee observed is 185 USD, paid before the appointment.

Start by completing the visa application form, then pay the fee so you can book a slot at the competent United States embassy or consulate. On the day of the appointment, come with your passport and supporting documents: the consular officer asks about the purpose of your trip, your situation in Costa Rica and your plans to return.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Costa Rica, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Costa Rica but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

No fixed timeframe applies: the wait for an appointment depends on the period and the consular post, and processing after the interview also varies. Check the waiting times shown on the official information page before planning, and do not buy non-refundable tickets until the visa is issued. Allow a margin for the return of your passport.

An application can be weakened by vague answers at the interview or by information that differs between the form and the documents presented. Other common errors: showing up without the payment receipt, forgetting a supporting document or buying tickets before the decision. Ignore intermediaries who guarantee a visa: only the consular authority decides.