Residency for the Spouse of a Costa Rican Citizen

Residency by Marriage, officially known as Residencia Temporal por Vínculo con Costarricense, is a legal residency category in Costa Rica that allows foreign spouses of Costa Rican citizens to live and work in the country. It is one of the most straightforward pathways to legal residency based on family ties.

What Is It?

This residency is granted to foreigners legally married to Costa Rican citizens. It is based on the constitutional principle of family unity and does not require proof of income, investment, or employment.

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be legally married to a Costa Rican citizen (common-law unions may qualify under specific legal criteria)

  • Register the marriage in the Costa Rican Civil Registry (Registro Civil)

  • Prove that the marriage is ongoing and not solely for immigration purposes

Once granted, this residency:

  • Allows full work authorization

  • Can be converted to permanent residency after 3 years

  • Requires ongoing proof that the marriage remains valid

Who Is It For?

This residency is for foreign nationals married to Costa Rican citizens who:

  • Wish to live with their spouse in Costa Rica

  • Are not applying under economic or investment categories

  • Want immediate legal status and work rights

It is ideal for couples living together in Costa Rica or planning to settle there permanently. The process can be managed personally or through a legal representative.

Watch this youtube video explaining the basic of the residency for spouses of CR citizens

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  • Requirements

    • Requirements for Residency as the spouse of a Costa Rican Cititzen

    The main requirement for this type of residency is to be married to a Costa Rican citizen. To establish this, the regulations require to produce a marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry in Costa Rica, as well as completing an interview with the Immigration Department in San Jose.

    If the couple got married abroad, it is required to get the marriage registered in Costa Rica. This is separate process in addition to the immigration process.

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  • Fees and expenses

    • What you need to pay.

    To obtain residency as a retired person, 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.
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  • Service Fees

    • 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.

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  • Processing Time

    • These are the steps of the process and the processing time.

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    • Document and preparation
    • Filing and processing
    • Registration

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    Understanding your requirements and objectives is important to us. We listen and work together to create a truly unique experience.

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    Our commitment is to successfully get you legal in Costa Rica.

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