Visa for Costa Rica from Kenya: price, documents and processing time 2026
Yes, a visa is required: citizens of Kenya apply at the embassy or consulate before departure.
Data updated on
Do you hold a valid Schengen or US visa? Visa-free entry up to 30 days. Multiple-entry US or Canadian visa (except C1, C2, C3 transit visas), or multiple-entry Schengen C visa. The stay cannot exceed the remaining validity of that visa. Passport valid 6 months. Official source (embassycr.org)
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
New service€29
Have your application checked before you submit it
A person reads your documents and tells you in writing what is missing or inconsistent: insurance, accommodation, dates, funds, where to apply.
- You pay €29 by card, secure payment by Stripe.
- You email your documents to [email protected] from the address you paid with.
- You get our written reply within 48 hours, or your money back.
The €29 does not include the appointment, the submission or the visa fees. IziVisas is not a consulate: only the consulate decides.
Pay €29 and have my application checkedOur guide to the Costa Rica visa from Kenya
Kenyan passport holders must obtain a consular visa before travelling to Costa Rica. The application is made by appointment at the competent embassy or consulate before departure, with the required supporting documents.
The application is reviewed by the consular authority, which sets the submission arrangements and document requirements. Check the official portal or the competent embassy for the rules that apply to your case.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Kenyan passport holders need a consular visa before travelling to Costa Rica. The visa must be requested from the competent embassy or consulate before departure.
How much does a visa for Costa Rica cost from Kenya?
The official fee for a visa for Costa Rica is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for Costa Rica really cost?
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
- Application centre feeVariable, set by the operator
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
- ExtrasVariable
What documents are required for a visa for Costa Rica?
Documents required for a visa for Costa Rica:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Completed application form
- One passport-size photo
- Flight itinerary
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Bank statements (3 months)
- Visa fee payment
Documents and fees
A typical file includes an application form, photographs, proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources, and insurance evidence. The consular authority may request additional documents based on the applicant's circumstances. Consult the official portal or the competent embassy for the exact document list and fees.
How to apply for a visa for Costa Rica from Kenya
- 1Book an appointment at the embassy, consulate or visa application centre.
- 2Assemble the complete file before the appointment.
- 3Submit the file and provide your biometric data.
- 4Track the processing and wait for the decision.
- 5Collect your passport with the visa sticker.
How to apply
Book an appointment with the competent embassy or consulate to submit the visa application. Prepare the requested file and follow the instructions provided by the consular service. Confirm the submission process on the official portal or directly with the embassy.
Where do you apply for a visa for Costa Rica from Kenya?
A consular visa for Costa Rica is filed with the diplomatic post accredited for Kenya, or with the application centre that post has appointed.
- The competent post is the one accredited for Kenya, which is not always the nearest one geographically.
- An application centre collects the file and the biometrics. It does not decide, it cannot speed up a case, and it is not an agency.
- Appointments are booked with the post or the centre directly. A slot is never sold, and no one can guarantee one.
Visa appointment in Kenya: which centre for which country
What if Costa Rica has no embassy in Kenya?
Then the application goes to the post accredited for Kenya, 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.
You live in Kenya on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Kenya 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.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does a visa for Costa Rica take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the visa is granted.
Processing times and advice
Processing times vary depending on the embassy or consulate, the period, and the review of the file. Submit the application well before the intended travel date, allowing for this variability. Do not buy tickets before the visa has been granted.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
Do not travel to the point of departure without first obtaining the required consular visa, and do not treat submission of an application as travel authorization. Avoid incomplete or inconsistent supporting documents. Check the official portal or the competent embassy before your appointment.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
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Other visa types for Costa Rica
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
- Business visa
- Rentista visa (passive income)
- Digital Nomad visa
- Student visa
- Family Reunification
- Pensionado visa (retiree)
1 more visa types
Official sources
Guide generated automatically on September 12, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
Visa required
Entry regime
Visa required
Official websiteTo confirm
Business visa
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
30–50 USD
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family Reunification
Family reunification
Duration
2 years
Price
50 USD
Processing time
60 business days
Official websiteVerified
Rentista visa (passive income)
Long-stay
Duration
2 years
Price
50 USD
Processing time
60 business days
Official websiteVerified
Inversionista (Investor)
Investor visa
Duration
2 years
Price
50 USD
Processing time
60 business days
Official websiteVerified
Digital Nomad visa
Work visa
Duration
1 year (renewable to 2)
Price
100 USD
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Pensionado visa (retiree)
Retirement visa
Duration
2 years
Price
50 USD
Processing time
60 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
1 year
Price
30–50 USD
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
SafetyWing travel insurance
Medical costs and repatriation during your stay. If the consulate asks for insurance, check the required amount before buying.
- Medical costs covered up to $250,000
- 180+ countries, United States as an option
- Can be bought once you have left
- Pre-existing conditions not covered
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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