Foreign investors looking for new countries where they can develop economic activities can choose Costa Rica, a destination where the good living standards entwine with the possibility of running a successful business, thus ensuring the dream of everyone who wants to enjoy one of the most exotic states in the world.
One of the simplest ways of moving to Costa Rica is by applying for residency by investment through a program designed for entrepreneurs who aim at conducting business activities here. Below, our local specialists explain the conditions of the scheme. You can rely on us if you want to immigrate or start a company in Costa Rica.
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The Costa Rica Investor Residency program
Over the years, Costa Rica has had various laws that targeted foreign investors, and the residency by investment one has recently suffered a major alteration to the benefit of those who want to move here.
The new law provides for a lower amount of money to be invested in a project approved by the government, so if you are planning to immigrate to Costa Rica, this is a great time to apply for an investor visa.
We also have a team of dedicated company formation agents in Costa Rica who can help you register a business in this country. If you are interested in starting a business in another country, such as Malta, we can put you in touch with our local partners.
The new residency by investment scheme in Costa Rica
The main highlight of the Costa Rica residency by investment program is the drop of the amount to be invested from 200,000 USD to 150,000 USD. Also, the investor visa comes with 4 categories of investments you can choose from, however, an even lower amount is also available.
Here are the main conditions to apply for an investor visa in Costa Rica:
- the minimum amount to be invested is set at 100,000 USD and it must target forestry projects;
- setting up a new company in which at least 150,000 USD are invested is also an option;
- the same amount of 150,000 USD can be invested in an existing business;
- real estate investment with a minimum purchase value of 150,000 USD is the last option for those seeking to move to Costa Rica and obtaining investor visas.
These are in general lines the main requirements to access the Costa Rica Investor Residency program, however, there are also other details you need to pay attention to that can be explained by our advisors.
Costa Rica recognizes dual citizenship. To become a citizen of this country, you are not required to give up your current nationality. So, if you considered this an impediment in for applying for Costa Rican citizenship, you no longer need to worry about maintaining your status of a citizen of your home country.
Forestry activities as a means to obtain an investor visa in Costa Rica
By far, one of the most advantageous ways of obtaining a Costa Rica golden visa is through investment in forestry projects that can take one of the following forms:
- lumbering;
- preservation of forest sites;
- regeneration of forests.
For this purpose, permits from the Environmental Agency within the Ministry of Environment and Energy in Costa Rica. Also, licenses must also be obtained from local authorities where the sites are located.
The minimum amount for obtaining a Costa Rican investor visa this way is 100,000 USD and our consultants can help you prepare the necessary documentation for a successful relocation.
Compared to North America and other neighboring countries, Costa Rica has cheaper property prices. Foreign pensions and other income earned outside of Costa Rica are exempt from income taxation for foreign residents. So if you are interested in filing for a residence permit in Costa Rica you would make a good choice.
How to obtain residency by investment in Costa Rica through business creation
Investing money in a new or existing business is without a doubt a very appealing option if you are a foreign entrepreneur and want to have economic activity in Costa Rica. The minimum amount to inject is 150,000 USD and targets specific areas of interest.
Among the projects that can qualify for a new business through which you can obtain Costa Rica residency by investment are those related to tourism (hotels, restaurants), but also service-related activities are accepted. One of the most important aspects to keep in mind is that a solid business plan is necessary in order to meet the visa requirements.
Investment in a new company, on the other hand, refers to partially or fully acquiring a Costa Rican company.
If you want to open a company in Costa Rica and need support, you can definitely rely on our company registration representatives.
The majority of immigrants who move to Costa Rica go for the option purchasing temporary residence permits. The type of visa issued will depend on the amount of money the plan to invest to Costa Rica. The main concept behind this program is that by contributing to the economy, they will be considered active members of society.
How to apply for an investor visa in Costa Rica
The most important aspect to consider about the Costa Rica Investor Residency scheme is that the vetting procedure is quite lengthy (approximately 9 months), which means that the total timeframe for obtaining the visa can increase to 12 to 15 months. This is why it is recommended to use specialized assistance, such as that of our immigration specialists.
If you want to apply for Costa Rica residency by investment and need information about the advantages of this type of visa, feel free to contact our consultants. We are also at your service if you decide on citizenship by investment which implies a different set of regulations, however, we can also help move here through other types of residence permits.