Immigration
Entry Requirements
When planning your move to Costa Rica, Americans do not need to obtain a visa to enter Costa Rica, but a valid passport (valid up to 90 days) with a blank visa stamp page and a return ticket are required to exit (return to country of origin or travel to another country) Costa Rica. Many airlines will not permit passengers without a round-trip ticket to board flights to Costa Rica unless they can present Costa Rican citizenship, residency, or a visa. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate financial solvency of at least US $100 per month while in Costa Rica as a tourist.
Permanent Residency
Permanent Residency status in Costa Rica allows you to stay indefinitely and provides most of the rights Costa Rican citizens have, such as national health insurance. Permanent Residency, however, does not grant you the right to vote. There are four major Permanent Residency status categories to consider when you move to Costa Rica:
- Family Relationship to a Costa Rican/ Marriage requires that you must reside in the country for at least one day per year. The marriage is registered in the Civil Registry of Costa Rica, which provides an official copy of the marriage certificate as required. At the expiration of two years, a temporary resident is given permanent status. With this status, you can obtain a work permit.
- Pensioner status is for those who are retired and receiving income (not less than US $1,000 per month) lifelong from a pension fund, such as social security, private pension, 401K plans, or some annuities. A resident with this status agrees to exchange US $1,000 a month for local currency. This requirement applies only to the applicant. A married couple should present only one (either spouse) confirmation of receipt of a minimum retirement income of US $1,000 for two. You must live in Costa Rica for a period of four months or 121 days per year. At the expiration of three years, you can apply for Permanent Residency.
- Rentista is a program for those receiving regular income of US $2,500 monthly for five years from a business or investment and the petitioner is not allowed to work for wages. Evidence must be provided. This requirement applies to both single persons and married couples with a child or spouse, regardless of social status of dependents. For proof of receipt of non-production income, a notarized letter can be granted from your bank stating that you have at least US $150,000 in your account and transfers to Costa Rica will be US $2,500 or more monthly. You must exchange this amount for local currency. You also must reside in the country for a total of 121 days or 4 months each year, but this period does not have to be consecutive. After three years, you can apply for Permanent Residency.
- For the Investor category, you must invest at least US $200,000 in an approved sector of the Costa Rican economy. It can be any business or property with documented investment by a Certified Financial Statement regarding the investment made. It is necessary to reside in the country for a minimum of six months or 183 days each year, but this period does not have to be consecutive. After three years in the country, you can apply for Permanent Residency.
To apply for Permanent Residency, you must:
- Submit a letter indicating your reasons for applying for Permanent Residency. It should include your full name, nationality, age and occupation. Also, include the address where you live (or receive mail) and a signature that is authenticated by a notary or attorney.
- Submit a US $50 payment indicating the name of the person applying. If the person applying for permanent residency is entering Costa Rica via a tourist visa, there is an additional US $200 fee for a change in category. Payee: Banco de Costa Rica / Account number: 242480-0.
- Submit a payment in the amount of US $.25 cents for each sheet with the residence application, indicating your name as depositor.
- Submit two recent passport-size photographs of the applicant.
- Submit proof of registration issued by the Ministry of Public Security (for 12 years and over).
- Submit proof of consular registration. The requirements for registration will be determined necessary or not by the Consulate.
- Submit the applicant’s birth certificate, issued in the country of origin, duly legalized and authenticated or stamped.
- Submit a Criminal Record Check from the applicant’s country of origin or place where they have lived legally the last three years, duly certified and authenticated/stamped.
- Submit photocopies of all passport pages applicable to the applicant. Photocopies must be certified, providing an original copy certified by an official or notary public.
- Submit certification issued by the Registrar showing ties with Costa Rica, such as employment, family relations, investment or other. The date of issuance of this document cannot be more than two months old at the time of the filing.
All documents must be properly annotated or authenticated by the Consul of Costa Rica in the U.S. and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica. All documents must be translated into Spanish, which may be issued by an official translator or translation of a notary who knows the language. Please see our Disclaimers about information on this site.