Types of residence permits

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There are different modalities under which a person can apply for a Costa Rica residence permit. Among them, there are:

1. Special category for students, volunteers, academics and researchers

In the event that a person wishes to stay in Costa Rica as a student, volunteer, academic or researcher, a provisional visa must be requested at the nearest Costa Rica consulate. To those effects, the following documents must be presented:

  • Application letter for a provisional visa under the special category of student, academic, researcher or volunteer, where the following data is included: i) full name and last name, ii) nationality, iii) passport number, iv) current address, v) occupation, vi) intended address whilst in Costa Rica, vii) date and place of birth, viii) fax number to receive notifications and ix) date and signature.
  • Birth certificate, translated to Spanish and apostilled.
  • Criminal records certificate, translated to Spanish and apostilled.
  • Original and complete photocopy of the passport or travel document, with a validity of at least 6 months.
  • Acceptance letter of the teaching centre, public or private, or the institution (recognised in Costa Rica) stating the admission of the person as a student, volunteer, academic or researcher in the before mentioned institution.
  • Proof of economic viability to remain in the country for the intended time.
  • Three colour passport-sized photographs.
  • Pay the respective fees.

 

Once the requirements’ fulfilment has been verified, a provisional visa will be emitted. Furthermore, the Consulate will return to the applicant the documents that he will need to present before the General Direction of Migration, once he arrives in Costa Rica, in order to continue with the procedure.

 

2. Residence permit for rentiers

For those who would wish to apply for a residence permit in Costa Rica, as rentier, the following documents must be furnished before the Consulate of Costa Rica:

  • Application letter for a residence permit, stating the reasons for applying, along with the following information i) full name and last name, ii) nationality and age, iii) passport number, iv) current address, v) occupation, vi) date and place of birth, vii) address or contact means to receive notifications and viii) date and signature.
  • Birth certificate, translated to Spanish and apostilled.
  • Criminal records certificate, translated to Spanish and apostilled.
  • Original and complete photocopy of the passport or travel document, with a validity of at least 6 months.
  • Document proving that, during a period of no less than two years, a stable and permanent monthly rental income of at least two thousand five hundred U.S. dollars (US$2500) will be received or its equivalent in colones, using the exchange rate determined at that time by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. If the income is received from abroad, the document that proves this situation must be apostilled.
  • Three colour passport-sized photographs.
  • Pay the respective fees.

 

3. Residence permit for pensioners

For those who would wish to apply for a residence permit in Costa Rica, as a pensioner, the following documents must be furnished before the Consulate of Costa Rica:

  • Application letter for a residence permit, stating the reasons for applying, along with the following information i) full name and last name, ii) nationality and age, iii) passport number, iv) current address, v) occupation, vi) date and place of birth, vii) address or contact means to receive notifications and viii) date and signature.
  • Birth certificate, translated to Spanish and apostilled.
  • Criminal records certificate, translated to Spanish and apostilled.
  • Original and complete photocopy of the passport or travel document, with a validity of at least 6 months.
  • Document proving that a permanent pension of at least one thousand US dollars (US$1000) per month will be received, or its equivalent in colones, using the exchange rate determined at that time by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. If the certificate is emitted abroad, it must be apostilled.
  • Three colour passport-sized photographs.
  • Pay the respective fees.

 

Notes:

  • The Spanish translation of foreign documents can be done through the services of official translators in Belgium (in which case, the document must be translated before being apostilled) or in Costa Rica.
  • Any certificate presented must be valid and can’t be more than 6 months old after their issuance date.
  • If a person enters Costa Rica as a tourist, and during his legally permitted stay, presents directly his residence application in the General Direction of Migration, he must also pay a fee of US$200 (US dollars) for changing his migration status.

 

4. Other types of residence permits

Residency for a Relative of a Costa Rican Citizen

Residency for Self Employed Professionals

Work Permit Specific Employment

 

For more information you can visit the webpage of the General Direction of Migration of Costa Rica or contact the consulate at the following email address: concr-be@rree.go.cr