Formal requirements:
Costa Rica does not offer a Golden Visa or Investor Visa program. Instead, foreign nationals may apply for Temporary Residency under the Investor Category, regulated by Law No. 9996, the Law for the Attraction of Investors, Rentiers, and Pensioners”.
To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate a minimum investment of USD 150,000 in one or more of the following eligible categories:
a. Real state or registrable assets. *Corporate ownership is no longer accepted for residency purposes.
b. Company shares: capital contribution as a shareholder with active economic operations. Inactive holding companies do not qualify.
c. Securities made through a licensed brokerage firm registered in Costa Rica.
d. Projects of national interest or productive projects
e. Reforestation projects
f. Venture capital funds: *The fund must be registered in Costa Rica.
g. Sustainable tourism infrastructure projects
General requirements:
Valid passport and two passport photos
Birth certificate apostilled
Criminal background check apostilled
Proof of legal source of funds (according to the categories listed above)
Consular registration
Payment of government fees
Fingerprinting in Costa Rica
Residency terms: The investor receives a two-year temporary residency permit, renewable for additional two-year period. After three years of temporary residency, applicants may apply for permanent residency. Temporary residents cannot work locally but can own a business.
Other investment opportunities [Brief overview]: In addition to the Investor (Inversionista) program, Costa Rica offers several other residency pathways that may be of interest: Retiree, fixed income (rentista) or even, the digital nomad visa.
For the first two options, the general requirements listed above applies.
A. Retiree (pensionado) must demonstrate a minimum of US $1000 a month from a lifetime pension.
B. The fixed income category must demonstrate a minimum of USD 2,500/month for at least 2 years.
Both categories grant temporary residency for 2 years (renewable); with eligibility to apply for permanent residency after 3 years. Temporary residents cannot work locally but can own a business.
Digital nomad visa: allow remote workers and freelancers to work in Costa Rica earning income from foreign sources. Must demonstrate a minimum of USD 3,000/month (individual) or USD 4,000/month (with family). Valid for 1 year, renewable for 1 additional year.
The Digital Nomad Visa does not lead to permanent residency and does not count toward the residency period required to apply for permanent residence in Costa Rica.
Document link for further information.
Link to the Costa Rican Migration Agency https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
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Contact information
Name: Carolina Murillo Mora
Firm: Alta Legal
Email address: notificaciones@batalla.com
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The material provided on this page is for information purposes only, as immigration policies are frequently subject to review and change, with each case being unique. We therefore strongly recommend contacting the law firm listed on this page for the latest, most accurate guidance and advice in respect of this jurisdiction.