Immigration - Becoming a Resident in Costa Rica

People find Costa Rica attractive and want to live in the country for a variety of reasons.  Whatever your unique motives may be for wanting to move to Costa Rica, there are a number of ways to remain in the country on a long-term basis. Tourists from North America and many countries in Europe may remain legally in the country for three months without having to apply for legal residency. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A COSTA RICAN RESIDENT TO OWN PROPERTY, START A BUSINESS, OR MAKE OTHER INVESTMENTS.  YOU CAN DO THESE ACTIVITIES WITH NO MORE THAN A TOURIST VISA.  Immigration - Traveling to Costa Rica

Several residency categories permit you to retain your current citizenship and obtain long-term legal status in Costa Rica. They are pensionado, rentistaand inversionista(resident investor). Which program you choose depends on your needs and financial position. Becoming a legal resident will by no means affect your U.S. or Canadian citizenship. Be very aware that residency procedures and requirements can change frequently, so always check for current requirements with your immigration lawyer or the American Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR). 

Comparison of Types of Residency
Pensionado	Rentista	Inversionista	Representante	Permanent
Requires proof of US$600 per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund.	Requires proof of US$1000 per month for at least five years, guaranteed by a banking institution, OR a US$60,000 deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank.  Double income for a spouse.	$200,000 in any business OR a specified amount of investment in certain government approved sectors.	Applicant must be director of a company meeting certain requirements, such as employing a minimum number of local workers as established by the labor law, with financial statements certified by a Public Accountant.	First degree relative status with a Costa Rican Citizen (through marriage to citizen or having a Costa Rican child) OR may apply after 3 years in another residency
Must remain in country at least 4 months per year.	Must remain in country at least 4 months per year.	Must remain in country at least 6 months per year.	Must remain in country at least 6 months per year.	Must visit Costa Rica at least once per year.
Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.	Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.	Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age. (Must process seperately)	Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age. (Must process seperately)	Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
Cannot work as an employee.	Cannot work as an employee.	Income allowed from the project.	Can earn an income from the company.	Can work.
Can own a company and receive income.	Can own a company and receive income.	Can own a company and receive income.	Can own a company and receive income.	Can own a company and receive income.

 Required Costa Rica Residency Documents

The first three documents are required for all types of residency in Costa Rica.

1. Police Certificate of Good Conduct from your last place of residency. Valid for 3 months. Required for applicant, spouse, and any children aged 18 to 25.
2. Birth Certificate. Required for applicant, spouse, and all dependent children (up to 18 years old or up to 25 if a university student - proof of enrollment is required).
3. Marriage Certificate (if spouse wishes residency). Proof of divorce is not needed.
4. Income Certificate for Pensionado and Rentista Residency (required for only the applicant).

Rentista Residency- contact the ARCR for wording of documents.
Pensionados -proof of a pension of at least US$600/month stating that it is for life, and that it will be paid in Costa Rica. 

          o    For pensions from the U.S. Social Security or Canada Pension, it is easier to obtain the certification at the U.S. or Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica. You must provide them with proof of your pension.)
          o    Pensions from other government agencies (all countries) must have a letter stating that the pension is paid by the government.
          o    Pensions from other institutions must have a statement verifying the type of institution paying the pension.

All of the above Residency Documents (other than those obtained in Costa Rica) MUST BE:

1) Notarized by a local notary public if they do not have an official government seal. If in doubt about the need to have it notarized, check with the local Costa Rican consulate.
2) In the USA (and possibly some other countries), they must then pass through the Secretary of State (or other body) where they were issued.
3) Consularized (authenticated) by the Costa Rican consulate in the country where the document was issued.

Notarization: Your signature must NOT appear in the notarization of the document.

Authentication: A Costa Rican consulate will charge US$40 for authentication of each document. They must affix stamps worth that amount to collect the money. If they do not have the stamps, the ARCR can buy them in Costa Rica on your behalf. There is also a $30 application fee.

Other requirements for both PENSIONADO AND RENTISTA RESIDENCY

1) Income must be changed into colones at a government bank or an approved private bank in Costa Rica. 

  o    Pensionado – US $7,200 per year
  o    Rentista – US $12,000 per year

2) Physical presence in Costa Rica for a minimum of 4 months each year
3) Renewal of residency identification card (carnet) every two years. The government of Costa Rica charges a US$100 tax for each renewed identification card.
4) You and your dependents cannot earn a salary or supplant a Costa Rican in a work situation. You can own and operate a business and pay yourself, and/or make investments.All pensionados and rentistas must submit proof of 1 and 2 above to the Costa Rican government each year. The ARCR or your lawyer assists members with all the above procedures.

INVERSIONISTA RESIDENCY STATUS

1). Invest at least US$200,000 in a business or another amount in one or more of the following government approved sectors:   
ornamental plants or flowers; leather products or derivatives; spices and/or condiments; fruits; fresh vegetables; processed foods; wood or wood derivatives; agroindustrial projects that will utilize agriculture, cattle, fishing, or forestry raw products and that require a procedure of industrial transformation; industrial mining projects; or projects for the production of capital goods, consumption, and consumer products for the support of exportation and investment in Costa Rica.
2). Visit Costa Rica at least six months per year.

TRANSLATIONS OF DOCUMENTS FOR RESIDENCY

Translations from other languages to Spanish have to be done either by the Costa Rican consulate (no one else) in the country where the document was issued or here in Costa Rica by an "official" translator for the specific language to Spanish. Here we can arrange for the services of a translator at the cost of the member. Translation from the original language to English is not accepted by the Costa Rica government.

 

All of the above information was taken from the American Residents of Costa Rica’s website