NOTICE important changes in residency law are coming due to the new Immigration Law going into effect March 1, 2010 Check back with us shortly for the details on this law change and how it could effect you.

 

Residency in Costa Rica will assist you with the preparation, organization and submission of the documents required to obtain either permanent or temporary residency in Costa Rica.

The four most common types of applications and their corresponding qualification requirement are:

Retiree ("Pensionado")
Must show proof of monthly income from a qualified pension plan (which include amongst others: local, state and Federal government pensions, Canadian Old Age Pension System, U.S. Social Security Administration benefits, private pension plans, school district pension, etc.) of at least US$600 per month. To be a qualified plan, the pension must be payable to the resident applicant "for life."

Please note that a married couple needs to show proof of only one (1) monthly pension of at least US$600 for both husband and wife to apply for residency. The pension recipient can be either spouse..

Legal resident ("Rentista") -- see "Update" link
Unmarried Applicants: Must show proof of at least US$1,000 monthly income from interest or dividends and that its payment to the applicant is guaranteed for the next 60 months (5 years).

Married Applicants & Dependant Children: Under the 2005 Immigration Reform Law married applicants must show proof of at least US$1,000 monthly income per spouse, or US$2,000 per couple. Additionally, the parents must show proof of income of at least US$500 month for each qualifying child. For example, a family consisting of four members (the father, mother and two minor children) will need to show proof of income in the amount of at least US$3,000 per month in order to qualify to apply for residency under the Rentista Program.

Business/Investor (Inversionista")
The Inversionista Program has three levels of investment based according to the business activity to be undertaken:
-- US$50,000: "Key" industries including tourism and export of Costa Rican products
-- US$100,000: Certain pre-approved reforestation projects
-- US$200,000: All other types of businesses (retail, manufacturing, farming, etc.)

Married to or Relationship to Costa Rican Citizen - "Vínculo" Program.
Must prove a relationship in the first degree, either by marriage or blood, to a Costa Rican citizen, and the Costa Rican citizen must be willing to sponsor the applicant's residency. The Vínculo Program includes applications for a spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, and unmarried brother or sister, but does not include grandparents, uncles or aunts.

Other Programs- Temporary residency:
Residency in Costa Rica can also assist you with the preparation, organization and submission of the documents required to obtain your temporary residency in Costa Rica as: Employee or representative of foreign company working in Costa Rica, including: executive level personnel, technical and professional staff.

Basic Documents Required for All Applicants:

• · Birth Certificate -- certified and authenticated copy
• Police Clearance Letter -- not older than 3 months (90 days) -- notarized and authenticated
• Current Passport
• Eight recent passport-type photographs
• If spouse is also applying: Marriage Certificate -- certified and authenticated copy
• Pensionado and Rentistas: Proof of Income Letter -- notarized and authenticated

Please note that there are additional requirements to qualify for each of these residency categories, and in particular for applications under the Inversionista Program.

Employee or representative of foreign company working in Costa Rica.
Including: Executive level personnel, technical and professional staff. Company must prove that you possess experience and/or knowledge vital to the business.

Please note that there are additional requirements to qualify for each of these residency categories.