CALL US: Toll Free 1-866-976-8898 CALL US: Local 2653-0073

WHAT'S APP 506-8442-5554

    

English French German Italian Spanish

COSTA RICA IMMIGRATION / RESIDENCY

Costa Rican Immigration and Residency Requirements

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCMENT (March 2023): Costa Rica's new Digital Nomad law has been passed. Read our Guide to Costa Rica's New Digital Nomad Visa.

PLEASE NOTE: The information about Costa Rica residency on this page is for educational purposes only. Re/Max Ocean Surf & Sun does not perform legal services nor advise in legal matters. The process and requirements for Costa Rica residency can be reviewed or changed by the government at any time, and you should consult a Costa Rican attorney for the most accurate and current information about Costa Rica Residency Status. 

Most foreigners engage an attorney who specializes in immigration to help them through the process, which can involve a significant amount of paperwork. What follows is general information about the different categories of Residency in Costa Rica. If you would like to have some names of immigration attorneys that we work with on a regular basis, please contact us and we will be happy to put you in contact with them. 

Pensionado

  • Requires proof of US$ 1,000 per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund. The typical applicant in this category has a government, private sector pension or social security retirement benefits.
  • Must remain in country at least 1 day per year.
  • Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age.
  • Cannot work as an employee for an external company
  • Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.

Rentista

  • Requires proof of US$ 2,500 per month income for at least two years, guaranteed by a banking institution, OR a US$ 60,000 deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. One amount covers the family. Generally, those who seek the Rentista residency category do not have a pension source and instead have an investment source of income which will need to be verified by a financial or banking institution.
  • Must remain in country at least 1 day per year.
  • Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age.
  • Cannot work as an employee for an external company
  • Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.

Investor

  • Investment of US$ 200,000 in shares of a business and real estate (properties, cars, boats) in Costa Rica.
  • Must remain in country at least 1 day per year.
  • Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age.
  • Income allowed from the project and any other income in Costa Rica
  • Cannot work as an employee for an external company
  • Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.

Representante Program

  • Applicant must be director of a company meeting certain requirements
  • Must remain in country at least 1 day per year.
  • Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age.
  • Can earn an income from the company.
  • Can own a company and receive income.

Permanent Residency

  • First degree relative status with a Costa Rican Citizen (by having a Costa Rican child) and refugees 
  • Must visit Costa Rica at least once per year.
  • Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age.
  • Can work as an employee for an external company
  • Can own a Costa Rican corporation and receive dividends or work as an employee of its own company.

Digital Nomad Visa

  • Minimum income of US$3,000 per month for an individual or US$4,000 per month for a worker with dependents. 
  • The income must be derived from a person or legal entity located outside Costa Rica and obtained using digital or telecommunication technologies to provide paid services. 
  • Health insurance for the length of your stay with a minimum coverage of US$50,000. If the application includes family members, they must have health insurance coverage as well. The policy can be from a Costa Rican company or an international insurance policy.
  • Cannot work in Costa Rica, incomes must come from abroad work. 
  • More info here
On July 14, 2021, law 9996 went into effect. This new law is to create the conditions so that foreigners can come to the country, bring their investments, and generate employment. Investing is just one of the ways to obtain residency. For years, the minimum investment has been US$ 200,000. The new requirement is only US$ 150,000 so foreigners can meet the requirement by purchasing commercial or non-commercial real estate. More information here.

 

LAST UPDATE: April 2023. Some information on this page have been kindly provided by Marcela Guardian, from Immigration Experts.