Legal Residency
U.S. Passport opens doors but legal residency is required to remain.
Legal Residency is an important component of expatriate life as without legal status a person can not hold a job, open a businesses, or ultimately remain for any length of time.
Costa Rica welcomes United States citizens upon arrival with an automatic 90 day tourist visa, which is a perfect window to explore Costa Rica and consider relocation as part of retirement or investment plans.
While some people prolong their stay by leaving the country for a few days and coming back for a new 90 day tourist visa this practice of being become a Perpetual Tourist is not a good long term plan.
Instead many who consider relocation use their tourist visa as an opportunity to make a Trial Run at living in Costa Rica. Generally those who seek residency in Costa Rica are independently wealthy or at least enjoy retirement income sufficient to support themselves indefinitely.
Requirements for the more popular residency programs are summarized below.
| Pensionado | Rentista | Inversionista | Vinculo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income of $1,000 per month from Pension | Income of $2,500 per month guaranteed by banking institution or deposit of $150,000 in approved Costa Rican bank | Investment of $200,000 in new business (less for specially approved projects). | First degree relative status with a Costa Rican Citizen (child or spouse) |
Retirement Programs (Pensionado or Rentista)
Perhaps the majority of English speaking people that come to live in Costa Rica qualify for legal residency under one of the retirement programs, which requires guaranteed income.
Employment is only allowed under this status once a person has lived in the country as a legal resident for three years and has received Permanent Residency. Otherwise it is possible to start a businesses provided the employees and managers are legally authorized to work. Those who take this route can get into serious trouble if caught working publicly or handling labor relations directly.
Investor
The Inversionista program is designed to attract investment in Costa Rica, and provides legal residency to those who invest at least $200,000 in a Costa Rican business. Investors may derive income from the business project, however must hire employees in Costa Rica.
Starting a business in a foreign country is not an endeavor which should be taken lightly. Expect to need plenty of professional help, including attorneys with expertise in labor law, accountants and bilingual assistants.
Family Ties (Vinculo)
Residency and authorization to work is available for spouses and first degree relatives of Costa Rican citizens. Children born within the national boundaries to foreign parents receive citizenship at birth, and tourist status does not preclude a person from entering into a marriage or having children.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Residents are initially classified as Temporary Residents, and after three years may apply for Permanent Residency, which grants authorization to work and qualifies a person to seek a license for a firearm.
After a total of seven years in country residents may apply for citizenship, although naturalization under this law has some Special Requirements.
Spouses of Costa Rican citizens can apply for citizenship after just two years in country, and not required to pass any tests.
Costs and Approach
Residency applicants who receive approval are required to pay a “deposit”, which is really a tax of about $200 once an application is approved. It is also now necessary to register to pay taxes into the national healthcare and pension system. The program costs between $20 and $100 per month depending on age and source of income.
Obtaining the required documents and counselor certification will cost at least $200 plus possible travel or courier expenses. Immigration now charges a fee of $50 for each new cedula or identification card.
Professionals in Costa Rica change between $700 and $2,000 in addition to the aforementioned costs to assist with the application. Handling an application without professional help is an option, however requires patience, some fluency in Spanish, and multiple trips to the immigration agency near San Jose.
Step by Step Guide
Expect that under normal conditions the immigration office will process a residency application and grant a cedula in one year to eighteen months.
The process of handling a residency application described according to four steps.
Step One: Required Documents
Step Two: Residency Application
Step Three: Official Resolution
Step Four: Cedula Appointment