According to a recent study done by the Forbes magazine, in 2023, Costa Rica was listed within the 10 preferred destinations to live and work.

Our country is on the fifth position and some of the most relevant points that were taken in consideration to rate our country were:

• Accessible medical attention.
• Political stability.
• Easy access to travel to other countries.
• Variety of weather all around the country.

As well, in 2021, the InterNations Expat Insider run a survey with around 12,000 foreigners living abroad to qualify the living style in Costa Rica, more than a 90% of the people that participated in the survey commented that the ticos are very friendly and kind people, or as we like to say Pura Vida. With this information, Costa Rica was recognized as the 3rd best country to begin a new life.

Costa Rica has so many things to offer to suit all tastes, from a simple and rustic lifestyle, amazing beach towns, rainforest and rural towns, and big cities full of all types of entertainment and luxury amenities.

If you are a fan of the heat and want to be close to the sea, the Caribbean or the Pacific Coast may be the perfect place for you, on the other side, if you are looking for something greener and to be surrounded by nature, our rainforest was made for you. In every place, you will be able to find charismatic people welcoming you with open arms.

On Zurcher Odio & Raven, we understand the importance of knowing all the details before moving to another country, that is the reason we want to share reliable information to understand the details and options to establish your life here. For starters, we want to share the main requirements to consider becoming a resident.

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How can apply for a residency

All residencies’ categories, allows foreigners to apply for a residency category individually or as a family. The primary applicant will be the person that can fulfill the main requirements on the residency category. Additionally, people that are dependents of the primary applicant can enjoy the same benefits as the principal. According to the Immigration Law, a person can be considered as dependent when:

1. Spouses: the dependent spouse must be legally married to the primary applicant. Common law marriages are not acceptable by the Immigration Law.
2. Children: children from 0 to 18 years of age are allowed to apply as dependents from their parents. In case the primary applicant does not hold the complete custody of the child, an authorization from the other parent is required.
3. Dependent children over 18 years of age: dependent applicants that are over 18 years of age until 25 years old can only apply as dependents of their parents if they are economically dependent and are actively studying.
4. Dependents over 18 years of age with disability: children with disability can be dependents of their parents even if they are over 25 years of age.

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Eligibility for residency

To become a resident in Costa Rica, the Law offers a vast list of options for foreigners. Choosing the right category for you may be overwhelming, so here are some of the most common ways to obtain a residency:

1. Economic reasons: if you are thinking on investing in the country or have a stable income, some of the following categories may apply:
   1. Investor residency: have invested in Costa Rica (either in Real Estate or a Company) a minimum of $150,000 USD.
   2. Fixed income residency: also known as “Rentista” residency, applies to applicants that receives a minimum of $2,500 USD per month for at least 2 years.
   3. Retired people residency: also known as “Pensionado” residency, for people that receive a monthly pension of at least $1,000 USD for life.
2. Family reasons: in case you have Costa Rican relatives, the categories below are your option:
   1. Marriage with a Costa Rican National: if you are currently married to a Costa Rican national, and your marriage is registered at the Civil Registry in Costa Rica, you are eligible for this temporary residency.
   2. Parent of a Costa Rican National: if you are a parent of a person that was born in Costa Rica, and the birth is duly registered, you can apply for a permanent residency.

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Requirements

All the categories named above share the same requirements, except for the main one, which refers to the eligibility reason.

1. Vital Documents: each applicant must submit the following documentation to apply for a residency:
   1. National Background Check: all applicants over 18 years of age are required to obtain an apostilled/legalized background check from their country of origin or the place where they have lived for the last 3 years.
   2. Birth Certificate: all applicants are required to obtain an apostilled/legalized Birth Certificate from their country of origin that contains the parental information.
   3. Marriage Certificate: dependent spouses are required to file an apostilled/legalized marriage certificate.
2. Validity of documents: all vital documents are valid according to the expiration date mentioned on the document. If the document does not contain this information, the validity is for 6 months.
3. Tourist Visa: every foreigner filing for residency must have a valid tourist visa. Applications must be filed within the validity of this visa (90 days is the maximum time allowed by law). It is advisable to review if your country requires a consular or restricted visa to enter the Costa Rica, to confirm is your country requires a special visa, click on the following link: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx
4. Government fees: is mandatory for every applicant to pay the government fees established by Law.

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Processing time

According to the General Immigration Law, the residency process should be resolved by the Immigration Department within 90 days since the submission of the application for residency, this only applies for COMPLETE applications. However, the current processing time for a residency is from 9 to 12 months. The time will vary based on every application and circumstances.

We want to be your guide and support during this process, please feel free to reach us with your questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..