The Costa Rican Flag
Permanent
●First degree relative status with a Costa Rican Citizen (through marriage to citizen or having a Costa Rican child) OR may apply after 3 years in another residency.
●Must visit Costa Rica at least once per year.
●Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
●Can work.
●Can own a company and receive income.
Pensionado
●Requires proof of US$1000 per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund.
●Must remain in country at least 4 months per year.
●Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
●Cannot work as an employee.
●Can own a company and receive dividends.
Rentista
●Requires proof of US$2500 per month for at least five years, guaranteed by a banking institution, OR a US$150,000 deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. Income covers family.
●remain in country at least 4 months per year.
●Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
●Cannot work as an employee.
●Can own a company and receive dividends.
Inversionista
●$200,000 in any business OR a specified amount of investment in certain government approved sectors.
●Must remain in country at least 6 months per year.
●Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age. (Must process separately)
●Income allowed from the project.
●Can own a company and receive dividends.
Representante
●Applicant must be director of a company meeting certain requirements, such as employing a minimum number of local workers as established by the labor law, with financial statements certified by a Public Accountant.
●Must remain in country at least 6 months per year.
●Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age. (Must process separately)
●Can earn an income from the company.
●Can own a company and receive income.
The clear waters of Costa Rica's beaches call for swimmers.
It is possible to become naturalized in Costa Rica, but there are several specific steps that must be followed correctly and in the proper order. Certain categories of residents in Costa Rica may obtain their citizenship by complying with certain requirements. These include permanent rentistas, pensionados, and inversionistas. Two witnesses must be presented to make the required declarations, and you must have a valid passport and residency papers. Costa Rica immigration is popular, and the laws in Costa Rica allow citizens to have dual citizenship, so you can keep your citizenship in your native country and still be a citizen of Costa Rica. The only way to get a Costa Rica passport is to follow the Costa Rica immigration and naturalization procedures, as only citizens, born or naturalized, of Costa Rica are eligible for a Costa Rica passport.
