RESIDENCIES
You have come to right place to find information about the options available to get Residency status in Costa Rica. The local government is interested in attracting retirees, investors and skilled workers that can contribute with the development of the Costa Rican economy.
The information you will find below is up to date and based on the current Immigration Law of Costa Rica, Number 8487 which came into effect on March 1st, 2010.
Our Immigration lawyers visit the Immigration Offices on a weekly basis to follow up Residencies, Visas and Work Permits for clients from around the globe that fact gives us a clear understanding of the ever changing environment of immigration reality.
Please see the main Residency options offered by Costa Rican Law 8487.
| Type of Residency | Criteria for Eligibility | Processing Time | Other |
| Pensionado | $1000 monthly lifetime pension | 4 to 6 months | Covers both spouses |
| Rentista | $150K in CD | 4 to 6 months | Covers spouse and minors |
| Investor | $200K business investment | 6 to 12 months | Per person |
| Family | CR Relatives | 4 to 6 months | 2nd degree |
| Work Permit | Skilled Workers | 4 to 6 months | Requires sponsor |
List of common requirements for most residencies:
| · Residency Application | done by our firm |
| · Criminal Record* | coordinated by our firm |
| · Birth Certificate* | coordinated by our firm |
| · Marriage License* | coordinated by our firm |
| · Filiation Form | done by our firm |
| · 4 passport size photos | coordinated by our firm |
| · Fingerprints | coordinated by our firm |
| · Consular Registration | coordinated by our firm |
| · Certified Copies of Entire Passport | done by our firm |
| · Official Translations to Spanish | done by our firm |
| · Government fees | coordinated by our firm |
*Foreign documents require a specific legalization process which is coordinated by us.
Now please look at approximate expenses involved:
| Type of Fee: | Current Amount: |
| Government deposit per applicant | $250.00 |
| Legalization of each foreign document at CR Consulate | $40.00 |
| Consular Registration | $50.00 i.e. at US Consulate |
| Reimbursable deposit (only once approved) | $350.00 i.e. for US Americans |
| Residency Card fee (only once approved) | $98.00 |
| Processing fee (only once approved)
|
$25.00 |
| Other possible expenses: | Couriers |
The process isn’t harder than any other migratory process in any other countries, its success depends significantly on the coordination between the client and the lawyer, if the documents are provided following the legal requirements the residency should be approved with no problem.
The first step is to contact our lawyers so that we can review your case specifics to determine if you are eligible and provide a quote for your case along with the coordination of the entire process.
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