Getting Ready

This section is your guide to preparing for UWC Costa Rica, covering essential travel information, academic dates, and necessary documentation.

Travel regulations can change frequently. To stay updated on Costa Rica’s entry requirements, please check the provided link. We will inform you of any important updates as they arise.

Traveling to and from Costa Rica

All students will require permission to study in Costa Rica, and the country’s immigration law is complex. Some students’ passports allow them to enter Costa Rica on a limited tourist visa, while others require an entry visa. Preparing the paperwork and legal requirements in your home country can take approximately 8 weeks, so we strongly recommend starting as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Once the student is in Costa Rica, the college will be responsible for applying for the student visa. Please read the detailed information below and familiarize yourself with your visa process.

A more detailed school calendar will be shared during Orientation Week. The following are important dates for the 2026–2027 academic year calendar.

  • Official arrival dates for First Years (IB1s): August 5th and 6th, 2026
  • Recharge Days (break): October 15th and 16th, 2026
  • December break official departure dates: December 9th and 10th, 2026
  • Campus closed: December 19th, 2026 to January 6th, 2027 
  • December break official return dates: January 7th and 8th, 2027
  • Semana Santa (Easter Holiday): March 20th–28th, 2027
  • Tentative date for Graduation (pending IB exams confirmation): May 20, 2027
  • Campus closes at noon the day after graduation: May 21, 2027 (awaiting confirmation from the IB)

Note: Transportation to and from the college will ONLY be provided on the official arrival, departure, and return travel dates.

The college will provide transportation to the airport on December 9th and 10th, 2026, and return to campus on January 7th and 8th, 2027. All students must return by January 8, 2027. Transportation will not be provided for those arriving or departing outside these dates, and academic absences will not be excused.

  • Any student remaining on campus between December 10th and December 18th will incur lodging and activity fees (to be determined, but likely in the range of USD 35–40 per day) for the remainder of the holiday.
  • Campus Closure: We will close campus from December 18th at 5:00 p.m. to January 7th at 5:00 a.m. to provide enhanced work-life balance opportunities for our staff. The college does not offer residential services during this time.
  • If students need to remain in Costa Rica, parents/guardians are responsible for finding a place for their student to stay during the school closure.
  • By October, families/guardians must have a plan for students who will be staying in Costa Rica during the campus closure.

New students must arrive with a return or round-trip ticket to ensure a legal departure from Costa Rica within 30 or 90 days, depending on their visa type. We recommend a flexible ticket to make it easier to change dates after arrival. Please note that the college does not provide residential services during June, July, the first days of August (1-4), or during December campus closures.

Step One

The first step in the immigration process is determining whether you need an entry visa to Costa Rica. Please click here to find out based on your country of nationality. If you have any questions regarding this step, you can contact:
visa.team@uwccostarica.org

Step Two

The second step is to prepare the required documentation (check the printed materials checklist below).

Step Three

The third step is to upload scanned copies of all immigration documents, along with the required legalization, to your Open Apply checklist for review

Step Four

The deadline for submitting physical copies of all original documents depends on your visa status:

  • If you require an entry visa: June 1st
  • If you do not require an entry visa: June 25th

Please send the required documents via certified express mail to the following address:

 

Marlene Fonseca / Alejandro González
Colegio del Mundo Unido Costa Rica
De la esquina sureste de la Iglesia Católica, 400 mts al norte
Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica, América Central 10901
Phone number: +506 2282-5609 ext. 156
visa.team@uwccostarica.org

Very Important Details – Check out this presentation with crucial information regarding visas and immigration paperwork.

Detailed Visa Information – Check out this presentation with key details on visas and immigration processes.

Do I need an entry visa? – Refer to the link above to determine whether you require an entry visa for Costa Rica or if you can enter as a tourist.

Visa Process Information (Infographic)

The college provides transportation services during officially assigned arrival and departure dates.

Official arrival and departure dates:

  • Official arrival dates for First Years (IB1s): August 5th and 6th, 2026
  • December break official departure dates: December 9th and 10th, 2026
  • December break official return dates: January 7th and 8th, 2027
  • Campus closes at noon the day after graduation: May 21st, 2027 (awaiting confirmation from the IB)

Students traveling outside these dates are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the airport. This can be done via taxi, Uber, or one of the many shuttle services available online.

Students must submit permission to leave campus, reserve transportation in advance, and confirm pick-up and departure times.

 

Important Contact Information

Here is a condensed information sheet of the college. We recommend taking a screenshot or saving this information, as you may need it during your travels or upon arrival:

Colegio UWC Costa Rica
+506 2282-5609
info@uwccostarica.org

400 meters north of the Santa Ana Catholic Church
Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica, 10901

Emergency contact: +506 7016-4635 / WhatsApp Link

Document Checklist

To study abroad at UWC Costa Rica, you’ll need several documents. Keep this page as your main checklist for everything you need to do before arriving in Costa Rica in August 2026.

Please be aware that you must complete and upload all of the documents in Open Apply by June 14th, 2026. You will receive a unique link in your email to upload your documents.

  • Educational Services Contract (PDF format)
  • Permission for Student Activities (Form)
  • Agreement to Financial Terms
  • UWC Costa Rica Medical Annex
  • Acceptance to study at UWC Costa Rica
  • Mixed Residence Consent Form
  • Student Class Pledge
  • Family UWC Pledge
  • Immigration Form
  • Parent’s Passports or IDs
  • Acceptable Use Agreement for Students
  • Legalized Student Passport
  • Transcript of current academic year
  • Acceptance for capturing images, voice, and related content
  • US Visa or transit visas
  • Medical Declaration

Printed Materials

Also, please keep in mind to bring the following documents physically:

  • Special Power of Attorney (apostilled or issued before a Costa Rican consular notary)
  • Birth Certificate (apostilled or consularized)
  • Criminal Record (apostilled or consularized, for students of legal age only)
  • Informed Consent Record (apostilled or consularized)
  • Three recent 2×2 inch color photographs, white background, full front view of the face (no hat or dark glasses), casual attire
  • Students with PAE scholarships must bring the signed PAE contract

Payments

Before you come to Costa Rica, be sure that the details of your payment responsibilities are clear to you, your family, and your National Committee. To be enrolled at UWC Costa Rica, all students must follow this payment schedule in accordance with the Financial Terms agreement.

Once each payment is made, you must send a scanned copy of the international transfer document and, if possible, the MT103 generated by your local bank, or a copy of the international transfer confirmation to:
financial.department@uwccostarica.org

Acknowledging receipt of the funds can take up to one week.

The cost of attendance at UWC Costa Rica for first-year students is $89,400 ($44,700 per year), including tuition, books, room and board, health insurance, field trips, IB exam fees, and co-curricular activity fees.

  • To reserve the space, a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the tuition fee plus 100% of the extra costs (immigration fees and security deposit) must be paid within 7 days of receiving the Welcome Letter.
  • A second installment of 40% of the total tuition must be made within 30 days of receiving the Welcome Letter.
  • The final 50% payment must be made before June 25th, 2026.
  • Upload all proof of payment to your Open Apply account.

A Security Deposit fee of $500 USD will be required as a one-time-only fee to cover any damages that may occur. The college may approve certain discretionary expenses to be deducted from the deposit on an individual basis.

The Financial Office will provide a statement at the end of the first year summarizing all costs, and an invoice for the second year covering the remaining fee. After the second year, $70 USD will be used to ship your IB Diploma and results outside Costa Rica.

Reminder: Students with unexcused absences for any co-curricular, residential, or academic activity will be charged $50 per activity.

Immigration fees will be charged depending on your country of origin. This fee ranges from $550 to $750 USD (covering government fees and administrative costs). Your invoice will clearly state this.

As a reference, these are the fees by region:

  • USA, Canada, Brazil (non-Spanish-speaking countries): $750
  • Latin America (Spanish-speaking countries): $550
  • Asia: $750
  • Africa: $750
  • Europe: $750
  • Middle East: $750

$45 USD in international bank fees will be required per transfer.