Costa Rica News – Are you sick of having to leave Costa Rica every 90 days? There are a few categories you in which you can apply for legal residency. Hopefully you will fall into one of them.
Pensionado status is for those who have a lifetime pension like social security, retirement, or a military pension. If you have a lifetime annuity to guarantee an income of at least $1,000 per month you can also qualify to be a Pensionado.
Rentista is for a person who has either a guaranteed income or a one time deposit in a Costa Rican bank worth $60,000. This status is only good for 2 years but can be renewed.
If you invest at least $200,000 dollars in Costa Rica you can gain residency as an investor.
If you are on a foreign government or international assignment or mission this is another category that qualifies you.
If you are a company executive doing business here you can be a Representante resident.
Pensionados and Rentistas have to pay taxes on imported belongings but they don’t need to pay Costa Rican taxed on money earned in another country. Both groups can own businesses but can’t work for anyone without a work permit.
After having any type of legal residency for 3 years and proving that you lived here you can apply for permanent residency.
In case you are planning to marry a Costa Rican please note that this must be a real marriage with regular check-ins with Migracion to prove the stability of your relationship. After two years of being married you can apply for citizenship. All other types of legal residents may apply after 7 years. Rules change a few times a year so please check arcr.net for accurate info.
Documents needed for residency are police certificates of good conduct, birth, marriage, and income certificates, and proof of pension (if applicable). These must be notarized and authenticated both in the country of origin and here.
Kerry La
