Additional Methods of Obtaining Costa Rican Residency

As we mentioned in the last section, most of the pensionado program’s privileges were revoked in 1992, so the only real advantage for becoming a pensionado is to be able to stay in the country legally. Now more and more people are looking at other ways of obtaining Costa Rican residency.

Basically, the residency program is for people wanting to reside in Costa Rica full-time but who cannot qualify for pensionado or rentista status or for those who can qualify, but choose not to because some of the advantages were taken away. In the latter case, a $600 per month pension from an approved source is required.

(1) Residente Inversinonista - There are several other ways for foreigners to obtain legal residency. As we mentioned in the last section, they can become inversionistas (resident investors) by investing $50,000 in an approved organization such as tourism, export businesses, in a reforestation project or $200,000 in another type of business.

(2) First Degree Relative - Foreigners can also claim permanent residency if they have an immediate or first-degree relative in Costa Rica, child, siblings, spouse or parent (mother or father) who is a citizen. They must also prove they have financial means to support themselves while living in Costa Rica (about $600 per month). Relatives of foreigners who have become Costa Rican citizens are also eligible for residency. In all cases you will be asked to prove your relationship. You can usually work under this category. All the documents required for other residency applications must be provided.

(3) Marriage - Marrying a Costa Rican also entitles you to residency. This is the fastest way to become a resident. Most foreigners who marry Costa Ricans choose this means of acquiring residency. We personally know of many expatriates who have married Costa Ricans for this very reason. In addition, anyone who has lived for at least two years under another residency category, such as pensionado or rentista, may apply for Costa Rican residency. Many ex-pensionados are doing this because they can generally qualify for this status easily. With this type of residency you have to live in the country six months a year.

As in the case of the other residency categories you need an application, birth certificate, marital status certificate, police report, several passport photos and in some cases documents proving your relationship to your Costa Rican relatives.

(4) Working Costa Rican Corporation - There is a new residency status which has just been recently added for those who have a working company or Sociedad Anónima. You must have a minimum number of local employees and provide financial statements. Just having a Costa Rican corporation won’t qualify a person for this status.

(5) Residency Under Special Circumstances - Residency is sometimes granted in cases for some people who don’t fall into any of the previous categories. Not all people who apply under this category obtain residency. If there are two people with the exact circumstances one may be granted residency and the other may have it denied. Since each case is different we suggest you talk to Roger Petersen. He is listed in the section about attorneys in this chapter and has helped a few of his clients obtain this type of residency.

(6) Temporary Residency - Residencia temporal, is for students enrolled in a university or language school, Peace Corps volunteers and members of affiliated church service groups,employees of foreign firms, employess of many national companies and other categories. Language teachers at any language institute in San José may obtain temporary residency enabling them to stay in the country legally. Others doing jobs that Costa Ricans cannot do are also eligible for this status. Temporary residency permits are valid for three months to a year and can be renewed. Temporary residents may enter and leave the country as often as they wish, paying the tourist’s rate of exit tax. Once all documents are correctly presented, temporary permits are approved as quickly as possible.

Because each person’s situation is different, the procedure is complicated. All residency programs require mounds of paper work, so we advise you to consult a lawyer to facilitate this process. To find a competent, trustworthy attorney, go to the ARCR office after reading the section in this chapter titled, “How to Find a Lawyer.” Immigration and Other Matters