If you, or your spouse, have invested $150,000 USD in qualifying projects, or $100,000 USD in a forestry project, individually, you could qualify for temporary residency as an investor in Costa Rica.
Under this category, the principal applicant is allowed to obtain residency for a spouse and children as dependents.
People who have invested $150,000 USD in qualifying projects are eligible for temporary residency under the Investor Category. There is also an option available for people who have invested $100,000 USD in forestry projects.
There are four different subcategories for the investor option. This is a brief description of each of these categories.
Below you’ll find a detailed overview of the application process, as well as the fees and expenses.
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The application process for temporary residency as an investor takes between 12 and 15 months, depending on the processing time of the Costa Rica Immigration department (DGME), which takes approximately 9 months to analyze the application.
Our team will guide you through the process from start to finish, including CAJA (Costa Rican Social Security) registration and DIMEX (Costa Rican ID for residents) procurement. Plus, depending on the level of service you choose, we can also assist with document procurement and residency renewal at a discounted rate. Investment documents must be provided by the attorney who assisted you with the investment.
Process Timeline
The first two to three months of the application process are spent collecting the documents required for the residency application. It is important to collect all the required documents during this time frame, as documents from abroad must be issued within six months of filing. Our team will work closely with you to ensure all documents are valid, translated, and ready for review by the DGME.
The following documents are required for filing an application for residency in Costa Rica.
Take advantage of the discounted document procurement rates we offer our immigration clients. Let our experienced team obtain the vital record(s) and background check(s) you need from abroad, or you can choose to obtain the following documents on your own. Keep in mind, documents from abroad must be issued within six months of filing the application for residency, and be translated into Spanish.
Preparation of the following documents required for filing the application for temporary residency as an investor is included in the quoted cost of our service.
Process Timeline
Once our team has compiled all the documents required, we perform a final review, then file the application with the DGME. The application must be filed before the expiration of the tourist stamp on your passport (usually valid for 90 days) or the expiration of the documents.
We must file a copy of your passports, including your entry stamps since you must have legal status when applying for residency. Consequently, a visit to Costa Rica and the necessary border runs (exits and re-entries to receive a fresh entry stamp), if applicable, are mandatory to even file.
Process Timeline
By law, the DGME should process the application within 90 days. However, based on recent processing times, the DGME is currently taking between 9 and 12 months for processing applications. During this time we regularly check the status of the application to ensure the case is moving forward as expected.
During the analysis period, you can remain in Costa Rica. Border runs will only be required if you plan on driving, as you must have a valid entry stamp to drive.
Process Timeline
The DGME issues an approval notice via email, once the approval notice is received we will reach out to you to schedule the next steps!
Process Timeline
Once your application has been approved the DGME, you will need to make a refundable security deposit to the DGME dependent on the estimated cost to cover return travel to your home country should it be required. Since the guarantee deposit varies by nationality, we do not include this cost in our quoted fees and expenses. You can find a full list of deposit amounts by home country on our blog here.
Process Timeline
Once the application has been approved, we will proceed with your mandatory registration with the CCSS for the Social Security system (also known as CAJA). In addition, we will obtain the ID for foreigners (DIMEX aka cédula). We will schedule a time to go with you to complete each of these processes in the GAM (San José Metro Area) or Liberia. Additional fees will apply for DIMEX and CCSS appointments at offices outside the GAM (San Jose Metro Area) or Liberia.
Process Timeline
Your DIMEX will arrive in the mail one or two weeks after it has been requested. Then you’ll officially be a resident of Costa Rica, with an ID card to prove it!
Temporary residency under the Investor Category is valid for two years. It can be renewed for additional two-year periods. After three years, you will become eligible for permanent residency. Our Beyond payment options were created with the renewal requirement in mind, pay in full upfront for your residency plus one renewal and save $311!
Temporary residents under the investor category cannot legally work in Costa Rica. Permanent Residents are allowed to legally work in the country.
Our fees for application for temporary residency as an investor are flexible and comprehensive. We include all the standard fees and expenses in our pricing, with the intention of making the process as easy as possible for you.
There are two items not included in our pricing, which vary on a case by case basis, making it impossible to include in an all-inclusive service for our clients.