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| Residency Legal Services |
Foreigners in Costa Rica have the option to live as temporary or permanent residents.
Permanent residencies include:
- Retirement
Retiree applicants must,
- prove monthly income of at least $600 (7,200 per year) from a qualified retirement plan or pension source.
- reside in Costa Rica for at least 4 months per year.
- exchange their income into Costa Rican currency through a local bank.
- not receive any local salary or income other than their pension.
- Annuity
Annuitant applicants must,
- prove a five-year monthly income of at least $1,000 ($12,000 per year) from investment or dividends from foreign pension or local bank.
- Reside in Costa Rica for at least 4 months per year.
- Exchange their income into Costa Rican currency through a local bank.
- Not receive any salary or income other than their rent dividends.
- Investments
Investor applicants must,
- have a minimum investment valued at $50,000 with a qualified tourism or export organization
- have a $100,000 investment in a reforestation project.
- have a $200,000 investment in any other business area.
- reside in Costa Rica 6 months per year.
- Costa Rican Family
- Foreigners with Costa Rican resident relatives (children, spouse, parents, single brothers)
- Children between ages 18 and 25 can be dependent as long as they are enrolled in a university (proof of enrollment is required).
All permanent residencies must be requested at the Costa Rican consulate or embassy in the applicant's country of origin.
This process is divided in two parts:
- Evaluation of applicants' qualification according to the specific requirements stated above.
- Preparation of documents requested by the Consulate or Embassy and the authorities in the applicants' country.
Applicants for all types of permanent residency must submit the following documents:
- Police Record Certificate. Document issued by the local police department certifying good behavior. Valid for 6 months.
- Marital Status Certificate. Document issued by the corresponding governmental entity of the applicants' country.
- Birth Certificate.
- Passport photocopies (all pages).
- Five frontal passport-size photos.
- Fingerprints. Taken at the Police Archive in the Costa Rican Ministry of Security.
- Authentication and registration of all documents at the Costa Rican Consulate or Embassy in the applicants' country.
Temporary residency includes:
- Scientists, professionals, professors or technicians hired by local corporations or institutions
- Businessmen or directors of local or transnational companies
- Students
- Clergy or religious workers
Temporary Working Permit
In order to obtain legal employment in Costa Rica, foreigners must have a working permit or visa. It can be requested in the applicants' country of origin at a Costa Rican consulate, or at the Costa Rican Immigration office in San Jose.
If the permit is requested at the Immigration office, al paperwork must be submitted within 3 months of the foreigner's arrival to Costa Rica.
Working permits are granted for periods that range between 3 and 12 months. Once the permit expires, it may be renewed for equal periods of time.
Requirements for Temporary Working Permit applications:
- Request Letter, issued by applicant.
- Request Form, provided at the Immigration Office.
- Four passport-size pictures.
- Fingerprint recording at the Ministry of Security.
- Certification issued by the Costa Rican Social Security Office stating the applicant has no pending debts on Social Security Payments.
- Employer's Legal Capacity Certificate, as well as photocopies of applicant's passport or ID card.
- Certified copies of all education diplomas obtained by applicant.
- Employment Contract.
- $100 USD Guarantee Deposit, and if applicable, Professional Association Membership.
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