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RESIDENCE IN COSTA
RICA
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 (1-11) are applicable to all of them. MIGRATORY
CATEGORIES
PERMANENT RESIDENTS: FOREIGN RELATIVES OF A COSTA RICAN CITIZEN TEMPORARY RESIDENTS: EXECUTIVES, REPRESENTATIVES, MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SCIENTISTS AND SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL SPORTSMEN / WOMEN CORRESPONDENTS AND PRESS OFFICERS PERMANENT RESIDENCY Immigration through a family member A lawful permanent resident is a foreign national who has been granted the privilege of living and working in Costa Rica permanently. PERMANENT RESIDENTS ARE: a. An alien with a relative (parents, siblings, spouse, and children) who is a citizen of Costa Rica. In order to apply for residency under this migratory category, the general requirements must be complied with. b. An alien with 3 years of temporary residency in the country.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCY Temporary residents are:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. A letter addressed to the Director of Migration stating the reasons why the applicant wants to permanently/temporarily reside in Costa Rica. The letter should contain the following information about the applicant: a. Full name b. Nationality c. Date of birth d. Occupation e. Full name and nationality of the applicant’s parents f. Exact address of residence in Costa Rica and a phone number where the applicant can be reached in Costa Rica g. Name of legal representative in Costa Rica. An exact address or fax number located within the Judiciary jurisdiction of San Jose of the legal representative needs to be provided h. Indication of the Costa Rican Consulate where the residency application process will be finalized i. Port of entry to the country
This letter has to be signed before the Consul of Costa Rica and has to be authenticated. All the following documents must be authenticated by the Costa Rican Consul and translated into Spanish. 2. Birth Certificate (every certificate should have the parents' name) 3. Photocopy of the passport certified by the Consul, Costa Rican Notary Public or by an American Notary Public, but in this last case, the copies will also have to be authenticated. (This is required for applicant, spouse and any dependent children). 4. Recent Police Certificate issued by the State or place where the applicant has resided for the past three years (required for applicant, spouse and any dependent children of 18 to 25 years old). The certificate should state that the applicant has not been convicted for any of the following crimes: a. Murder b. Genocide c. Terrorism d. Drug trafficking e. Human trafficking f. Fraud g. Illicit association h. Illegal carrying and trafficking of firearms i. Sexual child abuse or any other crime against minors, the elderly or the disabled j. Illegal trafficking of cultural and archeological objects and/or ecological resources k. Tax evasion l. Domestic violence m. Ties with gangs or criminal organization 5. Marriage certificate: If the applicant is married to 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 the case of children or siblings born in Costa Rica. Photocopy of the ID (cédula de identidad) of the Costa Rican citizen relative of the foreign applicant should be submitted as well. 6. Two recent passport size photographs
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS A) EXECUTIVES, REPRESENTATIVES, MANAGERS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL (and their spouses and children) of companies established in the country and that are considered to be in areas of priority according to immigration and foreign investment policies.
B) INVESTORS
C) RETIREES 1. Income certificate: The applicant should provide an original document from the company, government or institution guaranteeing that he/she will receive at least SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS (US$ 600.00) a month from a qualified retirement plan or a lifetime pension source outside Costa Rica.
D) ANNUITANTS 1. Income certificate: The applicant should provide an original document that proofs that he/she will receive at least ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS (US$ 1000.00) per month in a stable, permanent and irrevocable manner for a period of five years. If the applicant would like to include a family member in the application, he/she will have to proof an income of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS (US$ 1000.00) per spouse and FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS (US$ 500.00) for each child per month in a stable, permanent and irrevocable manner for a period of five years.
E) SCIENTISTS AND SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL 1. A letter signed by the legal representative of the company or organization that requires a scientist or a specialized technician or worker addressed to the Director of Migration stating the reasons why the applicant wants to reside in Costa Rica. The letter should contain the general information listed above under “General Requirements”.
F) SPORTSMEN/WOMEN ACCREDITED BEFORE THE NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL OF COSTA RICA
G) CORRESPONDENTS AND PRESS OFFICERS
H) STUDENTS
4. Fingerprints taken at the Archivo Policial (Police Archives) of the Ministry of Public Security in San José. If the student is from a country that does not require a visa to enter Costa Rica, he/she can travel as a tourist and apply for the temporary residency through the academic institution.
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