If you’re considering relocating to Costa Rica, understanding the residency process is key because having legal status lets you live, invest, or retire in Costa Rica without constantly renewing visas.
Plus, you’ll have access to Costa Rica’s affordable and high-quality public healthcare system (Caja) which can be combined with private healthcare options for comprehensive coverage.
Monika Valerio de Ford, a trusted immigration attorney with years of experience helping expats (myself included) navigate the residency process, has created this clear guide to show you exactly what you need to know.
To begin your residency application, gather the following documents:
Issued by the official authorities where the birth took place. It must include both parents’ names.
Issued by the corresponding authorities. If you are coming from the US, you will need to request an FBI report in addition to a state report from the state of your last domicile.
Issued by the authorities where the marriage(s) took place. Women who have changed their names due to previous marriages must bring supporting documents showing the sequence of name changes.
Proof of income in accordance with the category in which you will be applying for residency. This must be issued by the authorities that are granting the income.
All documents must have matching names. If you’ve had a name change, include supporting documentation.
All of your documents must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish if the original document is in a different language.
Earning an income of at least $1,000 USD per month. The documentation must clearly state that you will receive the payment in a stable way for life, with the origins of the payments (from where the income is derived).
With this amount a spouse may be included in the application. If your income comes from the Social Security Administration of the United States of America, you can request an official certificate by sending an email to SJREGION@ssa.gov. They will respond by attaching an encrypted document. You may also start the application at CR.usembassy.gov
To qualify for this category, you must prove a guaranteed monthly income of $2,500 USD for at least two years. This income can include you, your spouse, and dependent children under one application.
Most expats meet this requirement by depositing $60,000 USD into a supervised financial institution in Costa Rica. The bank will then issue a letter confirming that the funds will be disbursed in monthly payments of $2,500 over the two-year period.
Important Note: Financial institutions may charge fees for this service, which can range up to $3,670 USD depending on the provider.
To qualify for this category, you must make a capital investment of at least $150,000 USD in Costa Rica. This investment can include:
Personal Property. For example, purchasing real estate.
Corporate Ownership. If applying through a corporation, you must show proof of your role as a shareholder with a minimum investment of $150,000.
In certain cases, if the investment is deemed to be of public interest, the minimum required amount is reduced to $50,000 USD.
This residency option allows you to include your spouse and dependent children under the same application.
Proof of $3,000 USD monthly income for individuals or $5,000 USD for families.
Note: Immigration requirements may change, so please contact us to confirm the latest details before proceeding.
Before submitting your residency application, all foreign documents must be properly legalized and meet these requirements:
Documents must be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Secretary of State in the jurisdiction where they were issued.
The official’s signature must be authenticated by:
a. A notary public, verified by the county clerk.
b. The county clerk must then be authenticated by the Secretary of State or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In most cases, these only require authentication by the Secretary of State or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After apostille, the documents can be sent directly to Costa Rica to begin the application process.
Important Note: All documents must be officially translated into Spanish if they are in another language.
All documents must be officially translated into Spanish if they are in another language.
Official documents are valid for 6 months from the date of issuance unless stated otherwise.
All documents must be submitted while your passport has a current and valid immigration entry stamp for Costa Rica.
Breakdown of the expenses involved in the residency process:
$42 USD per document, per person, if your country is not part of the Apostille Convention.
Documents must be legalized at the Costa Rican Consulate.
$200 USD and $50 USD, paid in two separate transactions to the Costa Rican immigration department’s account. These payments result in two distinct vouchers.
Approximately $20 USD per page (subject to change).
CCSS Registration: You will need to register with Costa Rica’s social security system (Caja) and pay fees based on the income reported in your application.
Guarantee Deposit: A fixed amount set by the immigration department, based on your country of origin. This deposit is held in case repatriation to your home country becomes necessary.
Treasury Department Fee: $98 USD for document issuance.
Immigration Fund Contribution: $25 USD per resident to the Costa Rican immigration department.
The total attorney’s fees are $3,000 USD + VAT for individuals or couples, paid in three installments:
$1,500 USD + VAT: Retainer fee for initial advice, document preparation, fingerprinting assistance, and appointment scheduling.
$1,000 USD + VAT: Upon submission of your documents to the immigration department.
$500 USD + VAT: Once your residency status is officially approved.
Our office also offers assistance with registering for government programs, such as CCSS, and other related services. Please inquire for more information about fees and details.
When your residency is approved, you will initially receive temporary residency status for two years. Here’s how the process works:
Your residency can be renewed for an additional two years after the initial term.
While holding temporary residency, you are not allowed to work or earn a salary in Costa Rica, even if you own and manage a business. However, you can receive passive income, such as profits from investments or rental properties.
After holding temporary residency for three years, you can apply for a change of status to permanent residency.
Once approved, permanent residency removes the work restrictions, allowing you to legally work and earn income in Costa Ric
Monika Valerio de Ford
Attorney at Law
+506-8824-1600
Valeriomonika@gmail.com
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