Costa Rica residency.
Clear answers.

Your pension, income, investment, family connections and planned work help determine the right route. Compare our residency services before ordering documents.

Pensionado is a retirement route requiring a permanent, stable foreign pension of at least US$1,000 per month. See the Pensionado requirements.

Rentista requires stable monthly income of at least US$2,500. The evidence must meet immigration requirements; a bank balance alone does not establish eligibility. Read about Rentista residency.

An eligible, properly documented investment can support an investor application. Property ownership alone does not grant residency. Review the qualifying investment and documentation before purchasing. See Investor residency.

Marriage is initially a temporary residency route, not immediate permanent residency. The relationship must meet immigration requirements. See residency through marriage.

A parent of a Costa Rican citizen can apply directly for permanent residency. The parent-child relationship and the child’s citizenship must be documented. See residency for parents.

Opening a company does not automatically qualify you. The activity, qualifications and applicable work category need review. Start with our self-employed residency service.

Yes. Eligibility depends on the sponsoring organization, its accreditation and your documented role. See religious worker residency.

Expect a passport, birth certificate, criminal record certificate and evidence supporting your chosen category. Family applications need relationship records. The complete checklist also covers photographs, fingerprints, forms and required payments. Confirm your individual checklist before ordering documents. Our complete residency guide explains how the documents fit into the application process.

Foreign public documents need the applicable authentication: an apostille for documents covered by the Hague Apostille Convention, or consular legalization where applicable. The correct route depends on the issuing country and document. For U.S. records, consult the U.S. Department of State’s apostille guidance and follow the instructions of the authority responsible for your document.

Documents in another language need translations that satisfy Costa Rican immigration rules. Arrange the translation after confirming the document and its authentication are suitable for filing. The Costa Rican immigration regulations set out the rules for foreign documents and translations.

Yes. You can start the eligibility review and collect foreign documents before traveling. Plan your trip around the in-person steps required for your case; do not assume the entire process can be completed remotely. Use our guide to planning a move to Costa Rica to organize the wider relocation.

An in-country application is possible when the entry and category requirements are met. Have your authorized stay and filing position checked before it expires. A filing receipt is not a residency approval or a work permit.

Dependent eligibility depends on the main applicant’s category, family relationship and the dependent’s circumstances. Each person needs their own documentation and a separate cost assessment. Confirm family eligibility at the start.

There is no guaranteed completion date. Document collection, immigration review, requests for additional evidence and post-approval appointments all affect the timeline. Ask for a current estimate for your category and plan travel and housing with room for delays. For a case-specific estimate, contact our immigration team before booking travel around an expected approval.

Keep your filing confirmation and track official notifications. Immigration reviews the file and can request further evidence. Respond within the stated deadline. Approval is followed by the registration and documentation steps specified in the decision.

DIMEX is the identity document issued to foreign nationals with an approved immigration status. Your approval decision and your physical identity document are different steps; keep the document valid after it is issued.

Review exactly what is requested and the response deadline. Submit the required evidence through the appropriate channel and keep proof of submission. A request for evidence is not the same as a denial.

A temporary resident can apply after three consecutive years in that status, subject to the requirements. The change requires an application; it is not automatic. See Article 78 of Costa Rica’s Immigration Law for the legal basis.

Yes. Permanent status and the validity of the identity document are different. Keep your DIMEX current and meet the conditions applicable to your status. Review our residency renewal guide and confirm the current filing requirements before your document expires.

There is no blanket four-month annual rule. Article 129 addresses absences exceeding two consecutive years for temporary residents and four for permanent residents, with exceptions. Renewals and other obligations still apply. Read the absence and cancellation provisions in Article 129 of the Immigration Law before planning a long absence.

Only as authorized for your category by immigration. Owning a company does not itself authorize you to work in it. Check permission before starting paid activity. Article 80 of the Immigration Law establishes the authorization requirement for temporary residents.

No. Citizenship requires a separate naturalization process through the Civil Registry. Review the appropriate route, residence history and physical presence requirements on our citizenship page.

CAJA is the common name for Costa Rica’s Social Security Fund, the CCSS. It operates the public healthcare system. Residency documentation and renewal involve CCSS insurance requirements, subject to applicable exceptions. Our guide to CAJA for residents explains how enrollment relates to residency.

The CCSS determines contributions using the applicable insurance category and assessment. Request an assessment for your circumstances rather than relying on a fixed monthly figure from another person’s experience.

Yes. Private treatment or insurance can supplement public healthcare. Private coverage does not automatically replace the CCSS insurance required for your residency documentation. Compare the practical differences in our CAJA and private insurance guide.

Original Medicare does not cover most care outside the United States, apart from limited exceptions. Check any supplemental or travel benefits directly with your plan before relying on them. Review enrollment consequences before changing U.S. coverage. Check Medicare’s official coverage rules for travel outside the United States.

Build a budget around your location, housing, transportation, healthcare and lifestyle. Include relocation expenses separately from monthly living costs. Compare current local quotes before committing to a lease or purchase. Start with our Costa Rica cost-of-living guide and adapt the figures to your household.

Immigration residency and tax residency are separate questions. Review where you perform work, the source and type of income, and your home-country obligations. A residency approval is not a tax exemption.

Living abroad does not remove U.S. tax filing requirements. Whether you must file depends on income and filing thresholds; foreign account reporting rules can also apply. Have your cross-border position reviewed before moving. The IRS guidance for U.S. citizens and residents abroad explains the continuing filing framework.

Banks set identification, source-of-funds and account requirements. Ask your chosen bank what it accepts for your current immigration status before transferring funds. Residency does not guarantee approval for a particular banking product.

Both require separate planning. Check the current animal-health rules for your pet’s origin country and travel arrangements. For a vehicle, obtain a model-specific estimate of import taxes, shipping and registration before deciding to bring it. For your dog, start with our dog relocation guide and reconfirm the current requirements before travel.

We review your eligibility, identify the supporting documents and explain the application steps. Your written proposal should specify document review, preparation, filing, follow-up and post-approval assistance included in your particular service.

Legal fees depend on the service and number of applicants. Government charges, document procurement, authentication, translations, CCSS contributions and any required guarantee deposit are separate items. Request an itemized proposal for your household. Compare the relevant residency service and request a written cost estimate for your family.

Ask for the payment schedule for your selected service. For services offered at US$1,200, the schedule is three payments of US$400: at signup, filing and approval. Other categories have different fees; your written proposal confirms the amount.

No. Immigration decides applications and controls its review timetable. Legal assistance helps you prepare and respond properly, but it cannot guarantee approval or eliminate delays.

Request a consultation and tell us your nationality, current location, family circumstances and intended move date. We can then discuss the relevant route and next steps. You can also call 954-546-2843.