Citizens of the People's Republic of China and, in general, other citizens belonging to countries of the fourth group,  can benefit from the following exceptions to the normal entry visa application procedure.

Visa to the United States, Canada or any country member of the European Union

If a citizen of the fourth group of countries has an entry visa (as opposed to a transit visa) for the United States of America, Canada and/or to any of the countries of the European Union stamped in their passport, with a minimum duration of three months as of the date of entry into Costa Rica, she/he shall be exempted from applying for an entry visa into Costa Rica. In such case, the conditions of entrance shall be the same as those of countries belonging to the second group, including the exemption to pay a warrantee deposit.

Permanent residence in some countries of the first group 

Any citizen of the mentioned countries with the status of permanent resident for no less than six months in the United States, Canada or any member country of the European Union shall be exempted for the visa requirement for entry into Costa Rica, under the same conditions of citizens of countries in the second group.

Bearers of British Overseas citizen passport

Citizens of Hong Kong, bearers of valid British passports for overseas citizens (British National Overseas/BNO) shall receive the same treatment as of countries of the first group. Thus, they shall not require entry visa into Costa Rica and may stay for up to 90 natural days.

This exception is not applicable to bearers of passports from Hong Kong of the type "HKSAR".

Investors and businessmen

In the case of businessmen and investors that are citizens of the People's Republic of China that apply for a visa at the Costa Rican Consulate in Beijing duly backed by a support letter issued by the Trade Development Bureau (ascribed and subordinated to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Commerce), the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) or the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER), the requirements shall be the same as those of countries in the third group. As a consequence, they may apply for a visa to be issued by the Consulate.