Permanent resident status is not immediately available to most newcomers, but there are several types of temporary permits available. Such temporary residency permits, position the foreigner to gain Permanent Residency status after three years.
Who is eligible to apply for permanent residency status?
To qualify for Permanent Residency, there are two options:
- Have a first-generation family relationship to a Costa Rican citizen (parents, spouse, or children under the age of 18).
- Have had Temporary Costa Rican Residency for the past three years.
Who is eligible to apply for temporary residency?
Here, the options are more ample:
Ministers and other religious people properly registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica. Executives, representatives, and technical personnel of companies established in the country, who are properly registered at the Immigration Office. Their spouses and minor children can also apply.
Investors.
Retirees.
Professionals and specialized scientific personnel.
Athletes registered with the National Sports Council.
Correspondents affiliated with foreign press agencies, Annuitants Special categories such as political refugees.
Costa Rica is often a top choice for those looking to move abroad. In addition to its natural beauty, Costa Rica enjoys and embraces political, economic and social stability. But, how can those wanting to move abroad to Costa Rica get legal permission to stay?
The focus of this article will be on the two types of legal statuses most commonly used by foreign nationals living in Costa Rica:
- Retiree residency
- Annuitant residency
The
Retiree residency is for foreigners who can prove that they receive a monthly income equivalent to at least one thousand US dollars. This income can be in the form of a benefit, a pension plan, or any other income that comes in from outside of Costa Rica for the purpose of retirement. This money must be sent to Costa Rica monthly and be exchanged for colones at the current exchange rate.
The Annuitant residency applicant must prove that they will receive a minimum monthly income of one thousand US dollars for the next five years.This money must be received in Costa Rica in a stable, continuous, and permanent manner, at which point it is exchanged into colones at the current exchange rate. If other family members are moving with the annuitant resident, an additional one thousand US dollars per month will be required for the spouse and five hundred US dollars for each child.
The general requirements for this type of residency are:
Birth certificate*
Certified police records*.This establishes that the person has no criminal record and no pending criminal proceedings before the authorities of the country where the foreigner resides.
A letter guaranteeing the monthly income or pension*. To be valid, a Notary of the country of issuance must authenticate the signatures. Following this, the signatory's signature must be authenticated by the person in the highest authority of the government entity of the country of its emission, and finally by the Consulate General of Costa Rica in that country.
If the foreigner has changed nationality, proof must be presented on a certificate of nationalization* that establishes the correct current nationality.
Marriage certificate*, if spouse is moving too.
Birth certificate* of the spouse and children (if moving to Costa Rica with the applicant).
A copy of the entire passport including blank pages.
Four recent passport-size photographs.
Fingerprints taken at the Department of Security in Costa Rica.
Payment of the corresponding application fee.
Payment of a guarantee deposit (after the application is approved).
Payment of the temporary residency I.D. card or "cédula" (after temporary residency is granted).
* All certifications and the letter of guarantee will be valid for a period of 3 months and must be authenticated by the person in the highest authority of the respective entity of the country issuing it, by the Costa Rican Consulate in that country, and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica. All documents not written in Spanish must come with a certified translation.
Both of these temporary residency permits have the following conditions:
- The residency application should be filed before the Costa Rican Consulate closest to where the applicant lives.
- The Consulate will receive the application with all the requirements and forward the application to the main Immigration office for processing.
- Retirees and Annuitants with temporary residency are not legally permitted to work in any occupation for remuneration.
- The foreigner must reside within the national territory for at least 4 months per year.
- The foreigner has to be able to prove that they have exchanged their pension or foreign income into colones.
Both the
Retired resident and the Annuitant resident and their resident dependents can change their migratory status after 3 years of obtaining either of these types of temporary residency permits. This means that after 3 years, they can solicit permanent residency without limitations or conditions.
At this time, the residency application takes about seven months from the date the application is filed. During this time, the foreigner and his or her family must observe all the terms of their tourist visa.
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Residency Tips
- Usually the most complicated part is gathering and certifying the necessary documents. After all the documents are collected and submitted, the process moves a lot smoother.
- New laws have helped to speed up the immigration process and reduce red tape; nonetheless, it is still advisable to seek counsel from a lawyer who specializes in migratory matters.
- Once the temporary residency is obtained, it must be renewed every 12 months.
- Even though a Retiree or Annuitant with temporary residency is not allowed to work for a company, they are permitted to own one or more companies in Costa Rica.
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