Costa Rica Residency Permit

The Costa Rica Resident Permit program provides a clear pathway to permanent residency and citizenship through three main options: Rentier, Pensioner, and Investor. Each program allows applicants to obtain a temporary residence permit valid for up to two years, tailored to different financial profiles—Rentier for those with stable passive income, Pensioner for retirees receiving pension income, and Investor for individuals willing to invest in Costa Rican businesses or real estate. This structured approach simplifies the residency process, enabling applicants to secure their future in Costa Rica efficiently.

Costa Rica Residency Permit Benefits

Residency and Family Inclusion

Dependents include:

  • Spouse
  • Children under 18 years of age
  • Unmarried dependent adult children under 25 years of age

Travel and Quality of Life

  • Business friendly environment, tropical climate, strong expat community, amiable culture

Ease of Access

  • Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship
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How to qualify for costa rica residency permit?

To qualify for Costa Rica’s Residency by Investment program, applicants must choose among three options: Rentier, Pensioner, or Investor. The Rentier option requires a stable monthly income of at least USD 2,500, verified by Costa Rican banks. The Pensioner option mandates a monthly pension of at least USD 1,000 from abroad. The Investor option involves investing a minimum of USD 150,000 in Costa Rican real estate or businesses. Each pathway requires a clean immigration record and offers a temporary residence permit valid for up to two years, with the potential for permanent residency after three years. The applicant must have a clean immigration record.

Costa Rica Resident Permit program Options Breakdown

Costa Rica Rentier Resident Permit

  • The applicant should receive a stable and permanent income of no less than USD 2,500 every month.
  • The income must be accredited by the Costa Rican National Banking System, e.g., a letter issued by the banks of Costa Rica.
  • The applicant must present a document issued by a competent authority for not less than 2 years, confirming that the applicant receives a stable and permanent income. If the income comes from abroad, it must be legalized, authenticated, or apostilled by the corresponding authorities.

Costa Rica Retirement Visa for Pensioner

  • The applicant must receive a pension income abroad of USD 1,000 every month.
  • The applicant must hold an income certificate issued by Social Security, stating that the pension is for a minimum amount of USD 1,000 every month and will be permanent, stable, and irrevocable.

Costa Rica Investor Visa

  • Invest at least USD 150,000 in real estate, personal property, shares, securities, productive projects, projects of national interest, private equity funds, or sustainable tourism infrastructure projects.
  • The investment must be made inside Costa Rica.
  • The applicant must provide legal documents confirming that they made the investment for USD 150,000.

Costa Rica Residency Permit Process

Processing time 3-9 Months

Due Diligence And Application

  • Arrange the permanent income, pension income, or committed investment. Then, obtain a legal document confirming the investment and the amount involved.
  • Preparation and submission of the application documents to the Costa Rica immigration authority.

Approval And Investment

  • Successful applicants will be granted a temporary residence permit valid for up to 2 years.

Residency

  • The resident permit holders will be eligible for permanent residency after three years of actual residence.

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