Residency for Entrepreneurs in Costa Rica
Residency for Entrepreneurs—also known as Residencia como Trabajador Independiente or Independent Worker Residency—is designed for foreigners who wish to legally live and run a business in Costa Rica. Unlike investor residency, this category is focused on those actively involved in their own business operations, regardless of the investment amount.
What Is It?
This residency is granted to individuals who own and operate a business in Costa Rica. Unlike the investor residency, there is no minimum investment requirement. However, the applicant must:
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Demonstrate that the business is active, legally registered, and generating or capable of generating income
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Provide evidence of economic impact—such as employing Costa Rican staff, paying taxes, or providing valuable services
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Have the business properly registered with the National Registry, Tax Authority (Hacienda), and Social Security (CCSS/CAJA)
The business can be:
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A physical storefront or service provider
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A property rental operation
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A consulting or tourism business
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Owned personally or through a Costa Rican corporation (S.A. or S.R.L.)
Who Is It For?
This residency is for self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs who:
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Want to live in Costa Rica full-time
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Own and manage their own business locally
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Are actively involved in the day-to-day operations
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Do not qualify under pensionado, rentista, or investor categories
It is a good fit for digital nomads, small business owners, or people offering services like wellness, education, tourism, or retail.
Requirements for Residency as an Entrepreneur
The main requirement for residency as an entrepreneur is to have an operating business in Costa Rica. There is no minimum investment requirement for this type of residency.
Generally, people invest in a property, which can be acquired directly or through a corporation or LLC.
What you need to pay.
To obtain residency as an entrepreneur, there are fees to be paid to the Costa Rican Government both when filing the application for residency, as well as when the application is approved.
In addition, there are expenses to comply with the formalities of the application.
What we charge for our service.
These are the fees for hiring our services.
There are four payment options.
You can make a one time payment or chose between two or three installments. You can also choose to do a monthly plan for 18 months.
These are the steps of the process and the processing time.
If you’re planning to live in Costa Rica long-term, you’ll need to go through the Costa Rica residency process. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the requirements and what to expect when applying for residency.
- Document Procurement
The first step in the residency application in Costa Rica is preparing the right paperwork.
- Filing the Application
On average, processing can take 6 to 12 months, depending on your residency category, the time of year, and the quality of your file.
- Registration and DIMEX
After your application is approved, you’ll move on to final registration and receiving your DIMEX card (Costa Rica’s residency ID card).
Once approved, your DIMEX ID card will typically be delivered by mail within 2–3 weeks.
Costa Rica Immigration provides outstanding service for dreamers making Costa Rica a home.
Understanding your requirements and objectives is important to us. We listen and work together to create a truly unique experience.
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