Best for budget
Costa Rica
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Costa Rica vs United Arab Emirates — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Costa Rica requires $3,000/month with 12 months stay, while United Arab Emirates requires $3,500/month with 12 months stay. Costa Rica wins on budget.
Budget
Costa Rica
Long-term
Tie
Fastest
Tie
Feature
Costa Rica
United Arab Emirates
Minimum Income
$3,000/month
$3,500/month
Duration
12 months
12 months
Processing Time
2 weeks
2 weeks
Application Fee
$100
$287
Tax Status
Full income tax exemption on foreign-sourced earnings per Art. 16 of Ley 10008. Beneficiaries are explicitly NOT considered habitual tax residents. This exemption applies only to the primary beneficiary, not to family members automatically. Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system.
The UAE does not levy personal income tax on salary or freelance income.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
No
No
Best for long-term
Tie
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Tie
Shorter processing windows can make this the better pick for near-term travel timelines.
Next step
Check Costa Rica eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check United Arab Emirates eligibility for your nationality