Costa Rica passport → United Kingdom

Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?

Electronic travel authorisation (eTA)180 days

Costa Rican passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to the United Kingdom for up to 180 days. It is a short online application, not a full visa.

Apply on the official site: gov.uk

What this means for your trip

Apply only on the official government site; third-party sites charge extra.
Apply a few days before travel; most approvals are quick but some take longer.
The authorisation is linked to your passport. A new passport needs a new application.

Get trip-ready for the United Kingdom

United Kingdom eSIMData the moment you land. Skip the SIM queue and roaming bills.See data plans →Things to do in the United KingdomTours, attraction passes and airport transfers, often cheaper booked ahead.Browse experiences →Flights to the United KingdomCompare hundreds of airlines and agencies in one search.Find cheap flights →Flight delayed or cancelled?You could be owed up to €600. Check your flight in two minutes.Check compensation →

Partner links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

United Kingdom at a glance

Capital: London
Currency: British pound (GBP)
Languages: English
Calling code: +44
Region: Northern Europe

Read the United Kingdom travel guide →

GB54.0°N · 2.0°WPhoto: Chiugoran · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

London's museums, Scotland's highlands and village pubsBritish Museum · Tower of London · Edinburgh Old Town

United Kingdom for other passports

Costa RicaeTA180 days
IndiaVisa required
United StateseTA180 days
United Arab EmirateseTA180 days
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeeTA180 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladesheVisa
Sri LankaeVisa
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaeTA180 days

Nearby in Northern Europe for Costa Rican passport holders

DenmarkVisa-free90 days
EstoniaVisa-free90 days
FinlandVisa-free90 days
IcelandVisa-free90 days
IrelandVisa-free90 days
LatviaVisa-free90 days
LithuaniaVisa-free90 days
NorwayVisa-free90 days

Common questions

Do Costa Rican citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?

Costa Rican passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to the United Kingdom for up to 180 days. It is a short online application, not a full visa.

How long can Costa Rican citizens stay in the United Kingdom?

Up to 180 days under the current eta rule. Longer stays need a different visa.

Can Costa Rican citizens get a visa on arrival in the United Kingdom?

Not under the standard rules.

How many countries can Costa Rican citizens visit without a visa?

131 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The Costa Rica passport ranks #25 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.