Visa Types at a Glance
Costa Rica offers four main pathways for foreign residents. Here is how they compare.
| Feature |
Tourist Visa |
Pensionado |
Rentista |
Investor |
| Income Requirement |
None |
$1,000/mo pension |
$2,500/mo income |
$150,000 investment |
| Duration |
90 days |
2 years (renewable) |
2 years (renewable) |
2 years (renewable) |
| Can Work? |
No |
No (own business OK) |
No (own business OK) |
Yes, in your business |
| Healthcare (CAJA) |
No |
Yes (required) |
Yes (required) |
Yes (required) |
| Dependents Included |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Path to Permanent |
No |
After 3 years |
After 3 years |
After 3 years |
| Processing Time |
Immediate |
3-6 months |
3-6 months |
3-6 months |
| Legal Fees (est.) |
$0 |
$1,500-2,500 |
$1,500-2,500 |
$2,000-3,500 |
| Tax Exemption on Imports |
No |
Yes (one-time) |
Yes (one-time) |
Yes (one-time) |
Detailed Visa Requirements
Each visa type has specific requirements. Here is everything you need for each pathway.
Tourist Visa
The Starting Point
No Income Required
- ✓ US/Canadian citizens get 90 days automatically
- ✓ Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- ✓ Return or onward ticket
- ✓ Can do "visa runs" to restart 90 days
- ✓ No access to CAJA healthcare
- ✓ Cannot legally work
- ✓ Good for scouting trips and short stays
Pensionado Visa
Best for Retirees
$1,000/month pension
- ✓ Prove $1,000/month from pension, Social Security, or retirement fund
- ✓ Income must be permanent and verifiable
- ✓ Includes spouse and children under 25
- ✓ Access to CAJA public healthcare
- ✓ One-time duty-free import of household goods
- ✓ Must live in CR minimum 4 months/year
- ✓ Renewable every 2 years
Rentista Visa
For Non-Pension Income
$2,500/month income
- ✓ Prove $2,500/month stable income for 2 years ($60,000 total)
- ✓ Bank guarantee or deposit accepted
- ✓ Investment income, rental income, or remote work income
- ✓ Includes spouse and children under 25
- ✓ Access to CAJA public healthcare
- ✓ One-time duty-free import
- ✓ Must live in CR minimum 4 months/year
Read our detailed Rentista guide
Investor Visa
For Property Buyers
$150,000 investment
- ✓ Invest $150,000+ in real estate, business, or approved project
- ✓ Real estate purchases fully qualify
- ✓ Can work in your own business
- ✓ Includes spouse and children under 25
- ✓ Access to CAJA public healthcare
- ✓ One-time duty-free import
- ✓ Investment must be maintained during residency
View real estate options
Application Timeline & Costs
From initial decision to receiving your residency card (cedula), here is the typical timeline for residency applications in 2026.
1
Gather Documents
Collect birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance, income proof from home country.
2-4 weeks
2
Apostille Documents
Get all documents apostilled by the Secretary of State in your home state. Some need official translations.
2-4 weeks
3
Hire CR Attorney
Your immigration attorney prepares the application package and files with DGME (immigration office).
1-2 weeks
4
Submit Application
Attorney submits to DGME in San Jose. You receive a receipt confirming your application is in process.
1 day
5
DGME Processing
Government reviews your application. During this time you have legal status in Costa Rica. No need to leave.
3-6 months
6
Approval & Cedula
Receive approval, register with CAJA healthcare, get fingerprinted, and receive your residency card (cedula).
2-4 weeks
Total Estimated Costs
| Expense |
Cost Range |
Notes |
| Immigration Attorney |
$1,500 - $2,500 |
Handles entire process, includes follow-up |
| Document Apostille |
$200 - $500 |
Varies by state, number of documents |
| Official Translations |
$100 - $300 |
Must use certified CR translator |
| DGME Filing Fees |
$200 - $400 |
Government processing fees |
| CAJA Registration |
$50 - $100/mo |
Required for all residents, ongoing cost |
| Cedula Card |
$50 - $100 |
Biometric ID card |
| Total One-Time |
$2,100 - $3,900 |
Plus ongoing CAJA monthly |
Required Documents Checklist
These documents are required for all residency visa categories. Your immigration attorney will guide you through each item. All documents must be recent (within 6 months), apostilled, and officially translated into Spanish.
- ✓ Valid passport - Must have at least 6 months remaining validity. Color copies of all pages.
- ✓ Birth certificate - Original or certified copy, apostilled and translated.
- ✓ Marriage certificate - If applying with spouse. Apostilled and translated.
- ✓ Police clearance (FBI background check) - Must be recent (within 6 months). Apostilled. For US citizens, request from FBI.
- ✓ Proof of income - Pension letter, Social Security award letter, bank statements, or investment account statements (specific to your visa type).
- ✓ Consular registration - Register at the Costa Rican consulate in your home country.
- ✓ Passport-size photos - Recent photos meeting Costa Rican specifications.
- ✓ Proof of address in Costa Rica - Rental agreement or property ownership document.
- ✓ Application forms - Your attorney prepares these for you.
- ✓ Power of attorney - Allows your lawyer to act on your behalf with DGME.
Get the complete relocation checklist with visa documents and moving preparation.
Working While on Residency
Understanding what you can and cannot do for work in Costa Rica is essential to avoid legal issues.
Pensionado & Rentista Visa Holders
You cannot work as an employee for a Costa Rican company. However, you can own and manage a Costa Rican business, and you can work remotely for US/foreign employers (this is generally tolerated and increasingly common). You can also earn passive income from investments, rental properties, and royalties without restriction.
Investor Visa Holders
You can work in the business you invested in. If you started a company or purchased a business as your qualifying investment, you have full rights to manage and work in that business.
Remote Work
Costa Rica has embraced the digital nomad trend. While there is no specific "digital nomad visa" yet, remote work for foreign companies is widely practiced by residents on all visa types. Income earned from foreign companies is not taxed in Costa Rica under the territorial tax system.
Path to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
Your temporary residency is the first step on a clear path to permanent residency and eventually Costa Rican citizenship.
Your Journey to Citizenship
Year 0
Temporary Residency
Apply for Pensionado, Rentista, or Investor visa. Receive cedula within 3-6 months.
Year 2
First Renewal
Renew your temporary residency for another 2 years. Show continued income qualification.
Year 3
Permanent Residency
Apply for permanent residency. No more income requirements. Full work rights. Renewable every 5 years.
Year 7
Citizenship Eligible
Apply for Costa Rican citizenship after 7 years of residency. Spanish proficiency test. Dual citizenship allowed for Americans.
Important Notes on Citizenship
- The United States allows dual citizenship. You do not have to give up your US passport to become a Costa Rican citizen.
- Costa Rican citizenship gives you the right to vote, unrestricted work rights, and a Costa Rican passport.
- The Spanish language test for citizenship is basic conversational level, not fluency.
- You must have lived in Costa Rica for most of the qualifying period (not just held residency status).
- Citizenship is not required to live permanently in Costa Rica. Permanent residency provides nearly all the same benefits.
Finding an Immigration Lawyer
A qualified Costa Rican immigration attorney is essential for a smooth residency process. Here is what to look for.
What to Look For
- Specialization: Choose a lawyer who specifically handles immigration and residency cases, not a general practice attorney
- English fluency: Your lawyer must communicate clearly in English about complex legal matters
- Track record: Ask for references from other expat clients. Check online reviews and expat forums
- Transparent fees: Get a written fee agreement upfront. Total cost should be $1,500-2,500 for standard residency applications
- Bar registration: Verify they are registered with the Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica
How We Help
We work with a network of trusted immigration attorneys who specialize in expat residency applications. When you schedule a consultation with us, we can connect you with a vetted lawyer who matches your needs and budget. No obligation, no cost for the referral.
Ready to start your residency application? Let us connect you with a trusted attorney.