Costa Rica Residency Requirements

As to Costa Rica residency, there are four basic categories, only two of which we undertake on behalf of clients, those two being 'Pensionado' Status or 'Rentista' Status, as they can be applied for from within the country. The other two are 'Inversionista' Status (requires a US$100,000 investment in a project in Costa Rica , etc., which the Government approves of, and 'Entreprenurial' Status (requires a Costa Rican Company, employing Costa Ricans, etc.), and which the Government approves of.

The first two Costa Rica residency categories are very "mechanical" in their procedures, requiring minimal supporting documentation, including a birth certificate, police report, passport copy, and financial responsibility letter (US$600 per month U.S. for Pensionado and $1,000 per month U.S. for a minimum of five years for Rentista), all properly certified and Consul authenticated, in the Country of origin.

The second two Costa Rica residency categories are much more complicated, requiring a lot of accounting support documentation, business plans, etc., and must be applied for by a party who is residing outside of the country. These latter two categories are much more risky to undertake, and much more discretionary in their approval, by the Immigration authorities. We try to steer applicants away from these two categories, if they qualify for either of the 'Pensionado' or 'Rentista' categoties, as being much simpler, and with a greater likelihood of success.

A party in the 'Rentista' or 'Pensionado' category, may not work as an employee in the country, but may manage their own business through a Costa Rican Corporation. Permanent Costa Rica Residency Status may be applied for by a party who has maintained any of the foregoing Residency Status, for a period of not less than five years. This status, which I have personally, is unrestricted as to working, or any other matter, except voting.

Rick Philps practiced law in Victoria , British Columbia , Canada , for fourteen years, prior to becoming resident in Costa Rica in 1998. Rick works with the Alliance Law Group in San José - Should you have any specific questions, please call (506) 288-4381.


	Costa Rica Residency Explained Written by: Rick Philps - Attorney Alliance Law Group As to Costa Rica residency, there are four basic categories, only two of which we undertake on behalf of clients, those two being 'Pensionado' Status or 'Rentista' Status, as they can be applied for from within the country. The other two are 'Inversionista' Status (requires a US$100,000 investment in a project in Costa Rica , etc., which the Government approves of, and 'Entreprenurial' Status (requires a Costa Rican Company, employing Costa Ricans, etc.), and which the Government approves of. The first two Costa Rica residency categories are very "mechanical" in their procedures, requiring minimal supporting documentation, including a birth certificate, police report, passport copy, and financial responsibility letter (US$600 per month U.S. for Pensionado and $1,000 per month U.S. for a minimum of five years for Rentista), all properly certified and Consul authenticated, in the Country of origin. The second two Costa Rica residency categories are much more complicated, requiring a lot of accounting support documentation, business plans, etc., and must be applied for by a party who is residing outside of the country. These latter two categories are much more risky to undertake, and much more discretionary in their approval, by the Immigration authorities. We try to steer applicants away from these two categories, if they qualify for either of the 'Pensionado' or 'Rentista' categoties, as being much simpler, and with a greater likelihood of success. A party in the 'Rentista' or 'Pensionado' category, may not work as an employee in the country, but may manage their own business through a Costa Rican Corporation. Permanent Costa Rica Residency Status may be applied for by a party who has maintained any of the foregoing Residency Status, for a period of not less than five years. This status, which I have personally, is unrestricted as to working, or any other matter, except voting. Rick Philps practiced law in Victoria , British Columbia , Canada , for fourteen years, prior to becoming resident in Costa Rica in 1998. Rick works with the Alliance Law Group in San José - Should you have any specific questions, please call (506) 288-4381.
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