Residency Requirements

Pursuant to the Reform of the Immigration Law, effective August 12, 2006, residency applications shall be filed through to the Costa Rican Consulate in the petitioner's country of origin or of legal residency, personally or by granting a Special Power of Attorney to a third party. Exempted of this disposition are those who have a Costa Rican relative, as spouse, children, parents and single siblings, which can apply for residency status in Costa Rica through an attorney or directly at the Immigration General Direction. Following are the requirements for any type of residency application, for petitioner and dependents, if any, to be included:

Certified copy of Birth Certificate, including name of both parents.

Police Clearance, a certified letter of No Criminal Records, from last place of residency. A police record is valid for six months.

Marriage certificate, if married.

Proof of Income: If applying for Pensionado status, (Required only from the petitioner, not the dependents) a certified letter from the entity or retirement plan, stating name of beneficiary, monthly amount and this to be a lifetime pension to be received in Costa Rica. If benefits are received from the U.S. Social Security, a letter from the Social Security Department of the United States Embassy in Costa Rica may be obtained. Pensionados approved under the new law must show a monthly income from a certified pension of at least $1,000 a month, up from $600. That amount also covers foreign spouses and minor children. Rentistas have to show that they have a continuing monthly income of at least $2,500, up from $1,000.

For more information on how we can help you obtain your Costa Rican Residency please contact us