Costa Rica is an attractive destination for expatriates, retirees, and investors due to its natural beauty, stable government, and welcoming immigration policies. If you are considering making Costa Rica your long-term home, it is important to understand the basic residency requirements.
General Immigration Rules in Costa Rica
These General Rules and Immigration Procedures apply to all residency applications in Costa Rica:
- Applications must be presented personally or through a third party with a Special Power of Attorney.
- If applying from within Costa Rica, a bank payment receipt for $200 must be submitted to the account 242480-0 of Banco de Costa Rica for the migration category change.
General Requirements for All Residency Types
Regardless of the category, applicants must provide the following:
- Statement of Purpose for Residency Application: applicants must submit a letter explaining the reasons for requesting residency. The letter must include the applicant’s full name, nationality, age, occupation, residential address, and a contact method for notifications. It must be signed either in front of an immigration official or with a signature authenticated by a lawyer.
- Filiation Form, duly completed and signed.
- Birth Certificate, issued by the appropriate authority in the place of birth, apostilled or legalized by the relevant country’s authorities or the nearest Costa Rican consulate.
- Criminal Background Check, apostilled or legalized by the corresponding country’s authorities or Costa Rican consulate. This is required for applicants and dependents over 15 years old.
- Marriage Certificate, if including a spouse as a dependent, apostilled or legalized.
- Fingerprinting, required to be completed in Costa Rica at the Police Record Office.
- Consular Registration, required for all applicants at their country’s consulate in Costa Rica. Those without consular representation in Costa Rica are exempt.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- Certified Copy of Passport, including minors.
- Proof of Bank Deposit of $50 for residency application processing.
- Translation of Documents, if in a language other than Spanish, must be done by an official translator or an English-speaking notary.
- Additional Fees, including:
- ¢125 and ¢2.50 per page for document stamps, paid to Banco de Costa Rica.
- $200 additional fee if applying as a tourist and changing migration category.
***All documents originating from abroad must be properly apostilled or legalized by the Costa Rican Consul in the applicant’s country and authenticated by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.
Some Common Types of Residency in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers several residency categories, with the most common being:
- Pensionado (Retiree) Residency
- Must prove a stable pension of at least $1,000 per month from a government or private pension plan.
- Rentista (Fixed Income) Residency
- Must prove a stable income of at least $2,500 per month for at least two years, or deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank.
- Inversionista (Investor) Residency
- Must invest at least $150,000 in a qualified Costa Rican business or property.
- Vinculo (Family Connection) Residency
- Available for individuals with a first-degree Costa Rican relative (e.g., spouse, child, or parent).
- Allows employment in Costa Rica.
- Permanent Residency
- Typically available after three years of holding a temporary residency.
- Allows the resident to work and live in Costa Rica without restrictions.
- Can also be obtained immediately by being a parent of a Costa Rican citizen.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica offers a straightforward residency process for those who meet the financial and legal requirements. Hiring an immigration attorney can simplify the application process and ensure compliance with local laws. If you plan to move to Costa Rica, starting the residency application early can help ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
