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TRAVELLING TO COSTA RICA
The requirements to enter Costa Rica depend on your country of nationality. Generally, citizens of the United States, Canada and the European Union countries do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica. With their passport they can enter Costa Rica and remain in the country for up to a maximum of 90 days. Here is the full list of countries and the corresponding Visa requirements: Costa Rica Visa List
While in Costa Rica your passport and the immigration stamp that was placed in it when you entered the country is your proof of legal status.
RESIDENCY IN COSTA RICA
All residency applications are governed by the Costa Rican Department of Immigration (Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria) which in turn is overseen by the Ministry of Public Security and Police (Ministerio de Gobernacion, Policia y Seguridad Publica). Generally all applications for residency must be filed in your country of origin through the Costa Rican Consular Office in your area. The only current exceptions are Immediate Relative Residency Petitions. For list of Consular Offices in your area see the list on the Ministry of Foreign Relations site:Consular List.
Be advised that the residency procedures change from time to time. In recent years Costa Rica has become an attractive destination for many and local officials have not been prepared to handle the influx. As such, due to internal changes in the Department of Immigration and severe under staffing there are considerable delays in processing new applications. Also, the approval of residency is a discretionary matter of the Department of Immigration. The Department of Immigration favors applicants that can demonstrate that they will provide a financial benefit and contribute to create employment for Costa Rica citizens either in the form of direct investment (investors, enterpreneurs) or indirect investment (Rentista and Pensionados) .
The Residency options available for you in Costa Rica are discussed below:
RETIRING IN COSTA RICA Pensionado and Rentista Residency
If you are planning to retire in Costa Rica and you have a pension or investment income then you may qualify for either RENTISTA RESIDENCY or PENSION RESIDENCY. This program is governed by a New Immigration Law which confers residency status as follows:
(1) PENSION BASED RESIDENCY [Pensionado]. The Pensionado (Retiree) applicant must demonstrate a permanent fixed income from a pension or similar retirement income of at least US$600 per month. The typical applicant in this category has a government, private sector pension or social security retirement benefits.
(2) INVESTMENT INCOME BASED RESIDENCY [Rentista]. The Rentista applicant must demonstrate a permanent fixed income of at least US$1,000per month for a single individual. If the applicant is applying jointly with a spouse then the income demonstrated must be US$2,000 per month. Generally, those who seek the Rentista category do not have a pension source and instead have investment income. To apply for this category it is necessary to provide proof of the investment and that it will generate the US$1,000 per month (US$2,000 for a couple) required under this program. As such the applicant must provide a letter from the bank or financial institution where the investment funds are deposited certifying the existence of that income. It is not required that the funds be held in Costa Rica. The letter can be issued by international banks (note the international bank must be registered in Polk's Bank Directory ) as well as Costa Rican banks. The ideal letter issued by the financial institution should state the following: (a) That the recipient will receive at least US$1,000 per month in Costa Rica (b) That the investment generates US$1,000 per month in a stable, permanent and irrevocable manner for at least five years.
INVESTING IN COSTA RICATHE INVESTOR PROGRAM [Inversionista]
Under the new immigration law the Investor Category requires an applicant to demonstrate to the Department of Immigration that they will be coming to Costa Rica to invest in the country a minimum of $200,000 (two hundred thousand dollars). The investment must provide an economic and social benefit to Cost Rica. The law specifically excludes personal investments such as purchase of home, lots or buildings to qualify for this category. The granting of this category is discretionary with the Department of Immigration. It requires financial statements audited by a Certified Public Accountant to document the financial investment plan proposed.
IMMEDIATE RELATIVE PETITION
This category of residency (A-4) is available to foreigners who are immediate relatives of a Costa Rica citizen. By immediate relative we mean either married to a Costa Rican citizen or the applicant is the parent of a Costa Rican citizen.
The requirements to enter Costa Rica depend on your country of nationality. Generally, citizens of the United States, Canada and the European Union countries do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica. With their passport they can enter Costa Rica and remain in the country for up to a maximum of 90 days. Here is the full list of countries and the corresponding Visa requirements: Costa Rica Visa List
While in Costa Rica your passport and the immigration stamp that was placed in it when you entered the country is your proof of legal status.
RESIDENCY IN COSTA RICA
All residency applications are governed by the Costa Rican Department of Immigration (Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria) which in turn is overseen by the Ministry of Public Security and Police (Ministerio de Gobernacion, Policia y Seguridad Publica). Generally all applications for residency must be filed in your country of origin through the Costa Rican Consular Office in your area. The only current exceptions are Immediate Relative Residency Petitions. For list of Consular Offices in your area see the list on the Ministry of Foreign Relations site:Consular List.
Be advised that the residency procedures change from time to time. In recent years Costa Rica has become an attractive destination for many and local officials have not been prepared to handle the influx. As such, due to internal changes in the Department of Immigration and severe under staffing there are considerable delays in processing new applications. Also, the approval of residency is a discretionary matter of the Department of Immigration. The Department of Immigration favors applicants that can demonstrate that they will provide a financial benefit and contribute to create employment for Costa Rica citizens either in the form of direct investment (investors, enterpreneurs) or indirect investment (Rentista and Pensionados) .
The Residency options available for you in Costa Rica are discussed below:
RETIRING IN COSTA RICA Pensionado and Rentista Residency
If you are planning to retire in Costa Rica and you have a pension or investment income then you may qualify for either RENTISTA RESIDENCY or PENSION RESIDENCY. This program is governed by a New Immigration Law which confers residency status as follows:
(1) PENSION BASED RESIDENCY [Pensionado]. The Pensionado (Retiree) applicant must demonstrate a permanent fixed income from a pension or similar retirement income of at least US$600 per month. The typical applicant in this category has a government, private sector pension or social security retirement benefits.
(2) INVESTMENT INCOME BASED RESIDENCY [Rentista]. The Rentista applicant must demonstrate a permanent fixed income of at least US$1,000per month for a single individual. If the applicant is applying jointly with a spouse then the income demonstrated must be US$2,000 per month. Generally, those who seek the Rentista category do not have a pension source and instead have investment income. To apply for this category it is necessary to provide proof of the investment and that it will generate the US$1,000 per month (US$2,000 for a couple) required under this program. As such the applicant must provide a letter from the bank or financial institution where the investment funds are deposited certifying the existence of that income. It is not required that the funds be held in Costa Rica. The letter can be issued by international banks (note the international bank must be registered in Polk's Bank Directory ) as well as Costa Rican banks. The ideal letter issued by the financial institution should state the following: (a) That the recipient will receive at least US$1,000 per month in Costa Rica (b) That the investment generates US$1,000 per month in a stable, permanent and irrevocable manner for at least five years.
INVESTING IN COSTA RICATHE INVESTOR PROGRAM [Inversionista]
Under the new immigration law the Investor Category requires an applicant to demonstrate to the Department of Immigration that they will be coming to Costa Rica to invest in the country a minimum of $200,000 (two hundred thousand dollars). The investment must provide an economic and social benefit to Cost Rica. The law specifically excludes personal investments such as purchase of home, lots or buildings to qualify for this category. The granting of this category is discretionary with the Department of Immigration. It requires financial statements audited by a Certified Public Accountant to document the financial investment plan proposed.
IMMEDIATE RELATIVE PETITION
This category of residency (A-4) is available to foreigners who are immediate relatives of a Costa Rica citizen. By immediate relative we mean either married to a Costa Rican citizen or the applicant is the parent of a Costa Rican citizen.