Costa Ricans Can Enter Canada Without a Traditional Visa for Tourism
Effective June 6, 2023, Costa Rican travelers may now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) instead of a conventional visa for tourist visits to Canada.
As of June 6, 2023, Costa Ricans can enter Canada for tourism without needing a traditional visa, provided they meet specific eligibility requirements.
Instead of a visa, travelers may now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at a cost of CAD $7 (approximately ₡2,500 at current exchange rates).
To qualify for the ETA, applicants must satisfy at least one of the following criteria: have held a Canadian visa within the last 10 years or possess a valid non-immigrant U.S. visa.
It is important to note that entry into Canada must occur by air, as travelers entering by land or sea are still required to obtain a visitor visa.
For those intending to study or work in Canada, different types of visas must be sought.
The most common visa types include:
Visitor Visa: This visa allows stays in Canada for up to six months for tourism purposes.
It does not permit the holder to work or study, except for programs lasting less than six months.
Work Visa: This visa is awarded in conjunction with a work permit, which may be either closed (for a single employer) or open (allowing work for multiple employers).
Applications must be submitted prior to travel and require a formal job offer.
Study Visa: This is granted with a study permit and allows individuals to enroll in primary, secondary, or higher education programs at Canadian institutions.
The application process for a visa, regardless of type, includes several steps:
Possess a valid passport.
Complete the online application forms available through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal.
Submit the necessary supporting documents that correspond to the visa type being applied for.
Fill out the VFS Global Consent Form for data usage.
Schedule an appointment for biometric data collection at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Pay the relevant government fees.
Although not all documents listed in the application process are mandatory, it is advisable to present those that demonstrate ties to Costa Rica, financial stability, and the intention to return to the country of origin.
The Canadian Government has emphasized that even with the submission of all recommended documents, there is no guarantee for visa approval, and additional requirements may be requested.
All applicants must provide biometric data unless they have done so within the last decade.
This includes fingerprinting and a digital photograph, which will be recorded in the Canadian immigration system.
The associated fees for visa applications are as follows:
Tourist Visa: CAD $100 per person (approximately ₡35,000) or CAD $500 for families (five or more people, equivalent to ₡175,000).
Biometric Fees: CAD $85 per person (around ₡29,000) or CAD $170 per family (₡59,000).
The immigration portal offers several payment options through credit and debit cards, and it is recommended to check the official Government of Canada website for updated information regarding fees and requirements.
Instead of a visa, travelers may now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at a cost of CAD $7 (approximately ₡2,500 at current exchange rates).
To qualify for the ETA, applicants must satisfy at least one of the following criteria: have held a Canadian visa within the last 10 years or possess a valid non-immigrant U.S. visa.
It is important to note that entry into Canada must occur by air, as travelers entering by land or sea are still required to obtain a visitor visa.
For those intending to study or work in Canada, different types of visas must be sought.
The most common visa types include:
Visitor Visa: This visa allows stays in Canada for up to six months for tourism purposes.
It does not permit the holder to work or study, except for programs lasting less than six months.
Work Visa: This visa is awarded in conjunction with a work permit, which may be either closed (for a single employer) or open (allowing work for multiple employers).
Applications must be submitted prior to travel and require a formal job offer.
Study Visa: This is granted with a study permit and allows individuals to enroll in primary, secondary, or higher education programs at Canadian institutions.
The application process for a visa, regardless of type, includes several steps:
Possess a valid passport.
Complete the online application forms available through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal.
Submit the necessary supporting documents that correspond to the visa type being applied for.
Fill out the VFS Global Consent Form for data usage.
Schedule an appointment for biometric data collection at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Pay the relevant government fees.
Although not all documents listed in the application process are mandatory, it is advisable to present those that demonstrate ties to Costa Rica, financial stability, and the intention to return to the country of origin.
The Canadian Government has emphasized that even with the submission of all recommended documents, there is no guarantee for visa approval, and additional requirements may be requested.
All applicants must provide biometric data unless they have done so within the last decade.
This includes fingerprinting and a digital photograph, which will be recorded in the Canadian immigration system.
The associated fees for visa applications are as follows:
Tourist Visa: CAD $100 per person (approximately ₡35,000) or CAD $500 for families (five or more people, equivalent to ₡175,000).
Biometric Fees: CAD $85 per person (around ₡29,000) or CAD $170 per family (₡59,000).
The immigration portal offers several payment options through credit and debit cards, and it is recommended to check the official Government of Canada website for updated information regarding fees and requirements.
