For Spanish or formal education as the landing route.
Route overview
School admission + special category
Typical timeline / duration: 2-5 months
Important notes
Be accepted by a recognised Costa Rican public or private education centre, or qualify for the recognised non-remunerated research category.
Request the student stay authorisation through the Costa Rican consulate, an immigration officer abroad, or the Directorate General of Migration and Foreigners as permitted for the case.
Provide the passport, admission or enrolment evidence, identity and criminal-record documents, financial and accommodation evidence, and any apostille, legalisation, translation, or fee documents requested by DGME.
Register and maintain the study programme and renew the temporary stay when the studies continue, following the current DGME procedure.
Costa Rica's migration law allows student and volunteer stay authorisation for up to two years, renewable for equal periods while the programme continues, subject to the total programme limit.
Students may not perform remunerated or profit-making activities unless the Directorate specifically authorises the exception; this is not an open work or digital-nomad route.
Preparation checklist
Save submitted files and track the next application, reporting, or renewal date.