Costa Rica
United Kingdom
United Kingdom visa for Costa Rican citizens
Entry requirement
Costa Rican citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for the United Kingdom, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 180 days.
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- United Kingdom visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at gov.uk
Which United Kingdom visa?
Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 6 months per visit
- Fee
- £20
- Processing time
- Usually within a day, up to 3 working days
Apply on GOV.UK – Apply for an electronic travel authorisation
All visa types for the United Kingdom
For the ETA, the United Kingdom’s official sources give a standard fee of £20, and applications are made on gov.uk. Processing time, as the United Kingdom states it: Usually within a day, up to 3 working days. Longest stay on the ETA: Up to 6 months per visit.
Where to apply in Costa Rica
British citizens travelling to Costa Rica
United KingdomCosta Rica Visa-free, 180 days Costa Rica visa for citizens of the United Kingdom
Travel advice for the United Kingdom
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from Costa Rica to the United Kingdom, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates the United Kingdom at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 8 September 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the United Kingdom (updated 13 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long Costa Rican citizens can stay in the United Kingdom
Costa Rican citizens may stay in the United Kingdom for up to 180 days. The stay granted is recorded on entry to the United Kingdom.
How Costa Rican citizens apply
Costa Rican citizens apply for the ETA for the United Kingdom online on its official government portal before departure; it is linked to the passport they travel with.
The United Kingdom’s neighbours for Costa Rican citizens
Ireland admits Costa Rican citizens visa-free.
British citizens travelling to Costa Rica
British citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica: stays of up to 180 days are visa-free.
Frequently asked questions
Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Costa Rican citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for the United Kingdom, obtained online before travel, for stays of up to 180 days.
How long can Costa Rican citizens stay in the United Kingdom?
Costa Rican citizens can stay in the United Kingdom for up to 180 days with an ETA.
How much does the United Kingdom ETA cost?
The United Kingdom’s official sources give a standard fee of £20 for the ETA. Processing time: Usually within a day, up to 3 working days.
Do British citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
British citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica: stays of up to 180 days are visa-free.
Can Costa Rican citizens enter the United Kingdom visa-free?
No; Costa Rican citizens need an ETA for the United Kingdom.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.