5 things to consider before applying for residency in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, with its lush natural beauty, vibrant culture, and quality of life, often becomes a dream destination. The opportunity to apply for residency in this tropical paradise is an exciting prospect that offers numerous advantages. We would like to familiarize you with some of the key aspects to keep in mind regarding the residency process in order to turn your dream of residing in a tropical paradise into a reality.

Waiting period

The process of applying for residency in Costa Rica can be quite challenging, as it typically takes a little over a year to complete. First you must obtain the necessary documents in your home country. Once these documents arrive, they must be legalized or apostilled and then brought to Costa Rica. Upon arrival here, translations, certifications, and all necessary documents are prepared in accordance with the Immigration Department´s requirements.

After submitting the complete file with the Immigration Department, there is a substantial waiting period during which your petition is thoroughly reviewed to ensure that it complies with all legal requirements.

Determining your residency category

There are several available residency categories and you must decide which is the best fit for you. A few of the different types are:

• Spouse of a Costa Rican citizen
• Rentiers
• Retirees
• Investors

It is essential to understand and differentiate between these options before making a decision. As experts in Immigration Law, we will be delighted to assist you in this process.

Travel to Costa Rica

There are two moments during the process when you must travel to Costa Rica. The first is before submitting your application with the Immigration Department, as we must provide a copy of the entry stamp on your passport. The second trip must made, if you are not already in the country, when your petition is approved, in order to be registered with the Social Security Department and obtain your residency card (DIMEX). 

Document legalization

Obtaining the legalization or apostille for documents in your home country can pose a hurdle for many applicants. Often, the difficulty lies in the lack of information on how to complete this process, as the procedure varies in each country or state. Many countries have approved the apostille seal under the Hague Convention, which allows documents to be legalized under a unified system. However, other countries have not approved this procedure, and so documents must go through a different legalization process with the Costa Rican Consulate.

If you prefer not to handle these procedures yourself, there are third party agents that can assist you in obtaining the necessary documents and streamlining the process.  Many of our clients opt for this option and we handle everything from start to finish, in order to streamline the process. 

Document expiration dates

All documents you provide are subject to expiration from the date they were issued, which, in most cases, is six months. As the apostille or legalization process takes several weeks, submission of your residency petition must be properly coordinated to ensure that all documents are current. Submitting an expired document can lead to delays in the process and potential denialo of your residency application.

Obtaining residency in Costa Rica requires meticulous attention to comply with the requirements and deadlines. Once their residency is approved, our clients are highly satisfied with the benefits they receive, such as the ability to stay for extended periods of time, shorter Immigration lines at the airport, the ability to open bank accounts, as well as potential tax benefits regarding import duties.

Contact us and we will help you make your residency application.

By Nahomy Castro.

Paralegal.