Moving to Costa Rica

Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Estancia de Trabajador y Prestador Remoto de Servicios (Ley 10008)

Remote employees or freelancers paid from abroad at least USD 3,000 a month (USD 4,000 with family).

What you need

• Remuneration from abroad of at least USD 3,000 a month, shown with bank statements covering the last year. (USD 3,000 a month)
• At least USD 4,000 a month when dependants are included. (USD 4,000 a month)
• Medical insurance from an insurer registered in Costa Rica, or international insurance with the required cover, for each family member.
• Work must be for clients or employers outside Costa Rica.

Not for

• People working for Costa Rican clients or employers
• Anyone seeking a path to permanent residence (this is a stay, not residence)

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. Online through the Tramite Ya platform or in person at DGME offices.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Up to 1 year (Ley 10008, per secondary sources).

Renewal

Renewable once for another year if you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica (DGME states the 180-day rule).

Family

Spouse or partner, children under 25 or disabled, and elderly dependants living with you.

Costa Rica retirement residency (pensionado)

Residencia temporal, subcategoria Pensionado (Ley 9996)

Retirees with a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 a month.

What you need

• Proof from a competent authority of a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 a month (or colon equivalent at the BCCR selling rate), legalised or apostilled if issued abroad. (USD 1,000 a month)
• Signed application, two passport photos, apostilled birth certificate, fingerprints, consular registration where applicable.
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or where legally resident for the last 3 years, apostilled.
• Residents are reported to need affiliation with the CCSS (Caja) public health system; not confirmed on the page read.

Not for

• People without a lifetime pension (consider rentista)
• Anyone wanting to work for a Costa Rican employer

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. File with the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (DGME) in Costa Rica or through a Costa Rican consulate; DGME also accepts some filings through its Tramite Ya platform.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Temporary residence, 2 years (Ley 9996 subcategories are granted for 2 years, renewable; stated on the page for investors).

Renewal

Renewable for equal periods.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 3 years. Citizenship after about 7 years.

Family

Spouse, minor children, disabled adult children and dependent unmarried children under 25 can apply as dependants.

Costa Rica rentista residency

Residencia temporal, subcategoria Rentista (Ley 9996)

People with stable income of at least USD 2,500 a month guaranteed for 2 years (e.g. investments, annuities).

What you need

• Document from a competent authority showing stable, permanent income of at least USD 2,500 a month for a period of no less than 2 years, legalised or apostilled if from abroad. (USD 2,500 a month)
• A bank deposit alternative (widely reported as USD 60,000) is not mentioned on the DGME page read.
• Apostilled criminal record certificate (last 3 years of residence).

Not for

• People whose income is a salary from an employer (consider digital nomad)
• Anyone who needs to work locally

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. DGME in Costa Rica or through a consulate.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

2 years (Ley 9996).

Renewal

Renewable for equal periods.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 3 years. Citizenship after about 7 years.

Family

Spouse and dependent children can apply as dependants.

Costa Rica work residency

Residencia temporal para Ejecutivos, Representantes, Gerentes, Cientificos, Profesionales y Personal Tecnico

Managers, professionals and technical staff hired by a company registered with DGME (registered companies get faster processing).

What you need

• Employer must sponsor; companies registered with DGME (classes A and others) get a special counter and shorter decision times.

Not for

• Remote workers (use digital nomad)
• General job seekers (work permits are limited to roles the labour market cannot fill)

Where you apply

From inside the country. Filed with DGME, usually by the employer.

How long it takes

Not officially stated; faster for registered companies.

First permit

Not stated on the page read.

Renewal

Renewable while employed.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 3 years. Citizenship after about 7 years.

Family

Dependants allowed.

Only the category names and company registry were read; specific requirements and labour ministry role not checked.

Costa Rica investor residency

Residencia temporal, subcategoria Inversionista (Ley 9996)

People investing at least USD 150,000 in Costa Rican property, shares, securities or productive projects.

What you need

• Investment of at least USD 150,000 in real estate or registrable movable property, shares, securities, productive projects, projects of national interest, venture capital funds or sustainable tourism infrastructure. (USD 150,000)
• On renewal, prove the investment was kept continuously.
• Requirements by investment type are in the Reglamento to Ley 9996.

Not for

• Investors who may need to sell within 2 years

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. DGME in Costa Rica or through a consulate.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

2 years.

Renewal

Renewable for equal periods if the investment is maintained.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 3 years. Citizenship after about 7 years.

Family

Spouse, minor or disabled children and dependent unmarried children under 25.

Costa Rica student residency

Residencia temporal: Estudiantes, Investigadores, Docentes y Voluntarios

People enrolled at a Costa Rican school or university, researchers, teachers and volunteers.

What you need

• Signed application, two photos, apostilled birth certificate and enrolment proof from the institution.
• Apostilled criminal record from the country of origin or last 3 years of residence.

Not for

• People who want to work

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. DGME.

How long it takes

Not officially stated.

First permit

Not stated on the page read.

Renewal

While studying.

Family

Dependants of students can apply.