Costa Rica Permanent and Temporary Residency Permits

If you are interested in Costa Rican permanent residency and need assistance in obtaining the document attesting to your new status, you can rely on us. Our Costa Rican residency lawyer is at your service and can help you apply for temporary or permanent residence permits.

Quick Facts
Entry visa requirement (YES/NO)	For certain nationalities
Types of visas for permanent residency	– temporary residence cards, – investor visas
Permanent residence through temporary relocation requirements	Yes
Temporary residence permit validity	2 years
Direct permanent residency possibility (YES/NO)	No, minimum living requirements must be met
Living requirements to obtain permanent residency	3 years of temporary residence
Permanent residency by investment option (YES/NO)	Yes, permanent residence can be obtained after minimum 3 years
Timeframe to obtain permanent residence (approx.)	Approx. 3 months
Relocation with family members possibility (YES/NO)	No, each family member must obtain a residence permit
Possibility to sponsor family members for immigration (YES/NO)	Yes, after gaining the status of a permanent resident
Citizenship requirements through permanent residency	7 years of living in Costa Rica
Advantages of obtaining a permanent residence	– possibility to buy a property, – possibility to retire here, – low investment amount for the investor visa
Support in obtaining permanent residency (YES/NO)	Yes
Other immigration services	Support in renewing temporary residence card, assistance in applying for citizenship
Permanent residency by employment availability (YES/NO)	Yes, however, it is seldom used due to strict requirements

Is it difficult to relocate and obtain residency in Costa Rica?

No. The Government has introduced programs that make it easy to move to Costa Rica temporarily and that grant permanent residency without meeting too many conditions.

Do I need a visa to enter Costa Rica?

Citizens of many countries, among which the USA, the UK, Canada, and EU states, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays (usually 3 months).

What are the main ways through which I can move and obtain residency in Costa Rica?

You have several options, among which:

investment;
retirement;
remote work;
business establishment;
employment.

What are my residency options in Costa Rica?

When discussing residency in Costa Rica, there are two types of permits one can obtain:

a temporary residence card;
a permanent residence card.

Applications for temporary residence permits must be filed with the Immigration Department.

Here is also an infographic on this topic:

What is the most common way to obtain residency in Costa Rica?

The majority of immigrants choose one of the investor-related programs.

What are the documents I need to prepare to obtain residency in Costa Rica?

For a temporary residence permit, you need to prepare the following:

your valid passport;
birth and marriage certificates (the latter, if applicable);
a clean criminal record;
proof of accommodation;
proof of self-sufficiency.

NOTE! Foreign-issued documents must be translated into Spanish.

Are there any minimum income requirements when moving to Costa Rica through one of the special relocation programs?

Yes. Here are the minimum income requirements that need to be met by those seeking to obtain a Costa Rican residency visa for temporary stays:

a retired person must submit proof of having a minimum monthly income of 1,000 USD;
the same amount of 1,000 USD is required for married couples retiring here;
for those moving here based on sufficient means of self-sustenance, the minimum amount required is 2,500 USD per month for a minimum period of 2 years. They are required to make a deposit of 60,000 USD in a Costa Rican bank from which they will obtain a commitment letter.

How can foreign workers obtain residency in Costa Rica?

Foreign employees who relocate to Costa Rica based on temporary residence permits must enter one of the following categories:

specialized independent workers;
specialists, employees, or interns;
specialists in the field in which they are hired;
sportsmen;
journalists and correspondents;
religious workers.

What is the validity of different types of residence permits in Costa Rica?

When discussing temporary residence permits, the validity is 1 or 2 years. In certain cases, they can be renewed provided the issuance conditions are still respected. When it comes to the validity of a permanent residence permit, it is 5 years. However, it is important to note that the permanent resident status is an indefinite one (unless revoked).

Here’s also a video on this subject:

What are the grounds that can lead to the revocation of a permanent resident in Costa Rica?

The first and most important is you leaving the country for a 4-year consecutive period without notifying the authorities and without having an exceptional situation. Not paying your taxes and committing serious offenses are other reasons that can lead to your permanent residence cancellation.

How long does it take for a temporary residence card to be issued in Costa Rica in 2026?

It can take between 1 and 3 months after approval, depending on the number of applications.

How long does it take for a permanent residence card to be issued in Costa Rica?

Permanent residence cards are issued in 1 to 2 months.

If you want to obtain residency in other countries, such as UAE, we can put you in touch with our partners from BridgeWest Dubai. Temporary residency in Dubai can be obtained in three days after you submit the required documents.

If you want to apply for Costa Rican permanent residency in 2026 and need support, do not hesitate to contact our local specialists. We are also at your disposal with various services, including company formation in Costa Rica.