About Costa Rica Immigration
Legal guidance with a personal understanding of what it means to move, settle, and build a life in another country.
Tell Us About Your PlansYour plans come first
Moving to Costa Rica involves decisions about family, work, finances, and the future. Costa Rica Immigration helps you understand the legal options and turn those decisions into a clear application plan.
We begin by listening. Your circumstances determine the category, evidence, and next steps—not a standard checklist applied to every client. We explain the work involved, separate legal fees from other expenses, and define the engagement before you decide to proceed.
Our aim is straightforward: accurate guidance, understandable communication, and a process you can follow.
Meet Rafael “Rafa” Valverde
Rafael Valverde is an immigration attorney, legal strategist, and entrepreneur. His work focuses on helping individuals and families understand residency and citizenship options and prepare for the legal steps involved.
Before founding Costa Rica Immigration, Rafa served as CEO of Outlier Legal Services. That experience informs his approach to immigration planning, document preparation, and communication with clients navigating an unfamiliar legal system.
His personal understanding of moving between countries also shapes the service: clients need clear answers about what comes next, the evidence required, and the decisions they must make.
“Immigration is more than paperwork—it’s about creating a future in a place you’re proud to call home.”— Rafael Valverde
How we help
Residency planning and applications
We review your situation, identify the appropriate route, and coordinate the documents and filing steps for the agreed service.
Explore residency services →Citizenship assistance
We help you assess the relevant naturalization route, organize evidence, and prepare a separate citizenship application.
Explore citizenship assistance →Follow-up and continuing support
Application follow-up, post-approval coordination, and renewal needs are discussed as part of your service scope. Your proposal identifies the work included.
Discuss the support you need →Business ownership, investment plans, and family circumstances can affect the immigration strategy. We review those connections and identify any separate legal or professional work needed.
A process you can understand
Understand your situation
We discuss your goals, circumstances, and timeline, then identify the eligibility questions that need to be resolved.
Agree on the scope
The service agreement and fee proposal explain the work, payment terms, and separate expenses before we begin.
Coordinate the documents
We guide the collection of foreign records and preparation of applicable local documents, translations, and payments.
Follow the application
We submit the agreed application and handle follow-up within the engagement, including requests for additional evidence.
Complete the applicable formalities
For residency, this can include CAJA and DIMEX coordination after approval. Citizenship follows its own procedure.
The public authority decides applications. We explain estimates and requirements without promising a particular outcome or guaranteed approval date.
What guides our work
Integrity and transparency
We explain the requirements and costs, identify uncertainties, and distinguish what is included from work that requires a separate agreement.
Care and respect
Each move has its own circumstances. We listen and work with people from different backgrounds, family situations, and stages of planning.
Clear, practical guidance
Legal information should help you make decisions. We organize the process around the documents, actions, and deadlines relevant to your case.
Thoughtful use of technology
We use technology to support organization and communication while keeping the service focused on your needs.
Who we work with
We assist retirees, financially independent applicants, investors, business owners, spouses and parents of Costa Rican citizens, and qualifying religious personnel. Professionals and remote workers can also contact us to review which route fits their circumstances.
You do not need to know your category before reaching out. Start with your situation, and we can identify what needs to be assessed. Our complete residency guide is a useful starting point if you prefer to read first.
Before we begin
Do I need to choose a residency category first?
No. Tell us about your income, family connections, investment, or work plans. We help identify which eligibility questions and documents need review.
Can you help before I move?
Yes. Planning and foreign document preparation can begin from abroad. We identify which later steps require coordination in Costa Rica.
How will I know what is included?
Your written proposal and agreement define the applicants, services, legal fees, payment terms, and separate costs.
Are residency and citizenship handled the same way?
No. They are separate legal processes with different requirements and authorities. We review the route relevant to your goals.
Tell us what you’re planning
Whether you are exploring Costa Rica or preparing an application, share your situation and the help you need.
Request a ConsultationPrefer to call? +1-954-546-2843
Our team will review your inquiry and contact you about the next step. Sending an inquiry does not commit you to hiring us.