There are many ways to apply for residency but you have to keep one thing in mind: if a Costarican applies for residency in your home country it’s not going to be so easy. If you are interested in moving to Costa Rica, do the right thing and have patience. If you plan to live here permanently, look for legal advice with a specialized Immigration attorney to look at your possibilities. If you plan to use Costa Rica as a permanent “vacation” destination, you can keep your actual residency and travel as a tourist.

You should check with the attorney of your choice what the latest updates on the residency laws are, but below you’ll find the possibilities of residency taken from http://www.residencycr.com

This is a resume of the process applicable today. There are several options if you are considering applying for residency in Costa Rica. Migratory categories and their specific requirements are described below, however, General Requirements (1-4) are applicable to all of them.

General Requirements

1. Birth Certificate (required for applicant, spouse and all dependent children up to 18 years or up to 25 if a university student - proof of enrollment is required)
2. Police Certificate (not older than six months) issued by the State/last place where the applicant has lived for the past two years (required for applicant, spouse and any dependent children aged 18 to 25)
3. Marriage Certificate (if the applicant is married)*
4. In some cases, eligible individuals can claim their spouses and children under 18, as dependents, as well as older children with disabilities. A son or daughter between 18 and 25 can be included as dependent if he or she is enrolled in a University.

For the of validity such documents the authentication of the hierarchical superior of the corresponding entity in the issuing country, is indispensable, just as from the consular representative of Costa Rica and of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture of Costa Rica.

• NB: All documents must be authenticated by the Costa Rican Consul and translated to Spanish language. (Translation is included in or services). Costa Rican Consulate will charge US$ 40 in official stamps for authentication of each document.

1. The applicant should receive at least six hundred dollars (US$ 600) a month from a qualified retirement plan or a lifetime pension source outside Costa Rica.
2. Income certificate - The applicant should provide an original document from the company, government or institution guaranteeing that the monthly income will be sent to Costa Rica in the name of the applicant.
3. Foreigners could also demonstrate that they receive the minimum amount of US$ 600 from interests or dividends from investments on foreign currency deposited in a Costa Rican government bank.
4. The foreign currency received as a monthly pension should be converted into Costa Rican currency (colones). The Costa Rican Central Bank or any other government bank should certify this requirement.
5. The retirees (and their dependents) cannot work and/or earn a salary in Costa Rica. They can however, administer their own investments but without a salary. In addition, a physical presence in Costa Rica for a minimum of 4 months each year is required.

1. The applicant should demonstrate that he or she would receive income from an investment such as a certificate of deposit or annuity of at least US$ 1,000 per month (US$ 12,000 per year).
2. Income certificate - The applicant should provide an original document from the banking institution (in a foreign country or in Costa Rica) guaranteeing that they hold sufficient funds in a stable and permanent account to provide an income of US$ 1,000 per month for at least five (5) years and that the monthly income will be sent to Costa Rica in the name of the applicant.
3. The income should be converted into Costa Rican colones. The colones exchange rate is established by the Central Bank.
4. A deposit of US$ 60,000 in an approved Costa Rican bank will satisfy the government requirements for the residency status.
5. The rentists (and their dependents) cannot work and/or earn a salary in Costa Rica. They can however, administer their own investments but without a salary. In addition, a physical presence in Costa Rica for a minimum of 4 months each year is required.

1. The applicant should invest at least US$ 50,000 with an approved organization in a field such as tourism or export businesses.
2. In case of a reforestation project, US$ 100,000 in a reforestation project;
3. In other type of business, US$ 200,000.
4. The investor should spend at least six months per year in Costa Rica. This person cannot work in any other but the business he applies residency for.

1. Permanent residency can be applied for if you have first-degree family members such as parents, siblings, spouses, children who are citizens of Costa Rica.
2. When the applicant is married with a Costa Rican citizen, the Marriage Certificate should be issued by the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) in Costa Rica. The same applies for Birth Certificates in case of children or siblings born in Costa Rica.
3. Photocopy of the ID (cédula de identidad) of the Costa Rican citizen relative of the foreign applicant should be submitted as well.

1. Residency issued to the applicant that has an established business in Costa Rica.
2. Residency issued will be totally dependent from the business it was requested for.
3. Business has to be working, and all permits, taxes, employee benefits and work risk insurance has to be demonstrated.
4. Minimum size of business should be of 4 workers (should be legal citizens of Costa Rica)

1. In order to obtain a student visa, the applicant should provide:
   1. Enrollment in an educational private or public center, recognized by Costa Rica;
   2. Relevant academic diplomas authenticated by the Consulate;
   3. Proof of sufficient economic resources for the duration of the educational program.

1. The following individuals might obtain a temporary working permit in Costa Rica:
   
   1. Scientists, professionals, teachers, technicians and specialized staff hired by companies or institutions based in Costa Rica;
   2. Businessmen and board members of national and international companies.
2. The employing company or institution should provide a document describing the:
   1. Functions to be undertaken by the employee;
   2. Length of the contract;
   3. Salary or wages to be received;
   4. Why they need to employ that particular individual (justification of employment).
3. The Police Certificate mentioned before should be issued by that place where he or she has resided for the last five (5) years.

Still have a question about Costa Rican Residency? Ask it here.