Costa Rica at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in San José processes both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Costa Rica right now
- Costa Rican nationals can use both the E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor visas. No country-specific entry restrictions were in place as of October 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Costa Rica
Marriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseK-1 fiancé(e) visaBring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry and stayFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolB-1/B-2 visitor visaVisit the U.S. for business, tourism or familyE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest inGreen card lottery (DV)Yearly random drawing for green cards from lower-immigration countries
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Costa Rica visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Costa Rica is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Costa Rica get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Costa Rica has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Costa Rica enter the green card lottery?
Costa Rica was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Costa Rica have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in San José processes both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Costa Rica?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in the Americas
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.