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Admission Process for Foreign Students

The admission process for foreign students in Costa Rica includes the following requirements:

• Fully complete the visa application form with legible and clear handwriting.
• Provide two color passport-sized photos (5 cm x 5 cm) with a white background. 
• Present the original passport with at least six months' validity. 
• Attach a copy of the main page of the passport, which contains the holder's photograph. 
• Draft a letter of request addressed to the Consul of Costa Rica, including detailed information about the applicant, such as full name, nationality, passport number, foreign address, purpose of the trip (studies), anticipated duration of stay in Costa Rica, approximate arrival location and date in Costa Rica, address of residence in Costa Rica, email address, cell phone number, along with the date and signature. 
• Obtain a background check certificate and a birth certificate for migration purposes, both apostilled and issued within the last two months. 
• Submit an itinerary or flight reservation in the name of the visa applicant. The flight reservation should not exceed the maximum stay period in Costa Rica. If entry into Costa Rica will be by land, provide the corresponding bus reservations with entry and exit dates.
• Include a letter of acceptance from UISIL, accrediting the foreign individual's association with the institution and the duration of the association. 
• Provide a certification issued by a certified public accountant (CPA) demonstrating financial solvency and its source. If the student is on a scholarship, submit a certification from the institution providing the scholarship, specifying the amount, duration, and covered expenses. 
• If the applicant is a minor, they must provide documentation of legal guardianship from their home country. 
• Pay the associated costs for visa issuance.

Important notes:

• The Consul General may request additional documents if deemed necessary. 
• If the requirements are met, an interview will be scheduled at the Consulate. 
• All tourists must adhere to the immigration laws in effect in the country, and the permitted duration depends on the country of origin. 
• The immigration officer may request evidence of financial resources for the stay. • The duration of the stay may be assessed by the immigration officer, even if you hold a tourist visa. 
• The process must be carried out at the Directorate General of Migration in Costa Rica. 
• After arriving in Costa Rica, there are 30 days to apply for "special category" residency at the Migration Office of Costa Rica.
• All non-resident travelers must have a return or onward ticket. 
• Costa Rican authorities require travelers from certain countries (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana) to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
• Once notified, the visa must be used within 60 days for a single entry into the country.
• Consular procedures and schedules vary, so it is necessary to consult the Costa Rican consular authorities for detailed information.
• All services provided by Immigration and Foreign Affairs are free, with the exception of legal taxes.
• Contact the identified personnel to obtain information about requirements, appointments, and availability.

These are the requirements established for the admission process for foreign students in Costa Rica. Please note that these requirements may change over time, so it is advisable to verify the most up-to-date information with the relevant authorities and the institution.