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The New Costa Rica Immigration Law
August 13th, 2009
It is hard to not say I told you so… I cannot. Sorry!
On January 11, 2009, in response to a large number of emails and phone calls, I blogged about the proposed immigration law. One online newspaper told concerned expats, future residents and readers that the new law would be passed immediately… before the Christmas (2008) break! They said it would be retroactive and even those folks already here legally would be affected and have to comply. Everyone panicked.
I tried to explain that nothing happens that fast in this country and that panic sells newspapers and increases readership and thus sells advertising. I also explained that it is against Costa Rica law to have a new law be retroactive. I suggested a wait and be patient approach.
Well that was January and this is August and yes, finally, the Asamblea Legislativa (the congress) has passed the new Ley de Migración (immigration law) which should for years influence the rights and responsibilities of foreigners coming to live in Costa Rica. Note I use the word foreigner and not the words American, Gringo, US Citizen or other such word as despite our often enormous sense of self importance, this law is designed to affect anyone from any nation who seeks to reside in Costa Rica on a legal and permanent basis. It covers a lot more as well. I held off a few days trying to get a more complete picture of this new law, but sadly, reliable details are not forthcoming so for those of you who are interested in this topic, read on!
First, I must say that everything I have read about the new law is just plain fair and is, in the years that I have lived here, this is about the only law that got it almost 100% right. It falls a little bit short of fully protecting Costa Rica, but I’ll discuss that later.
OK so what is in this law? Here are the salient points!
- Costa Rica is getting tough on the trafficking of persons. This is now a criminal offense with much stronger penalties. Trafficking can be for purposes of slavery, prostitution, or simply smuggling people from, to or through Costa Rica to other countries.
- Pensionados, those who receive a guaranteed income from US Social Security, a State pension fund or other “guaranteed” source, will be now required to show proof of $1,000 per month (US) income. There will be no deposit required. This is spot on as it is just no longer possible to live here for $600.00 per month, the old requirement. All but a few recipients of social security should qualify easily. The spouse is included in the $1,000 figure.
- Rentistas, those who wish to live here legally but are too young or otherwise do not qualify for a pension like social security, will now deposit $2,500.00 per month ( a one time deposit of $150,000.00 to cover five years). I am presuming it will work the old way. (Not 100% sure yet). However the $2,500 per month is correct. Besides being 2.5 times the old $1,000 per month, this figure includes immediate family members and that may actually save money for a family with kids. However, it would seem to penalize single persons wishing to move here and thus is one of my few concerns regarding this law.
- Marriages between Costa Rica citizens and foreigners can be brought under far closer scrutiny. This has been a serious issue for years, with numerous marriages of convenience allowing low-lifes (and maybe some not-so-low-lifes) to purchase a Costa Rica spouse they perhaps have never met and immediately be eligible for Permanent Residency. Now a couple under investigation may have to prove to immigration (migracion) that they are a couple, have been through a courtship- both persons living in this country. In other words.. it’s love and not a scam!
- A new immigration police force will be formed, composed of specially trained officers from the Fuerza Pública plus existing members. With this is the stronger enforcement which should allow Costa Rica to deal far more efficiently with the many illegals (often referred to as perpetual tourists) living here. This new law will finally allow for active tracking of these scofflaws as opposed to the random raids now so popular. Costa Rica has a significant problem with illegals from Nicaragua, the USA and Canada and with luck, there should be enough enforcement power to handle this problem.
- Owners and operators of hotels will now be required to maintain registers of all guests with residency documentation and backup, presumably similar to those in Europe. Will they be required to hold the guest’s passport? Unclear… and we will not know until we all see the actual law. There was talk also of heavy penalties to employers of illegals and I have thus found nothing addressing that.
- It also appears that a new court will be formed to deal solely with issues and appeals of immigration.
- Foreigners will now have to join the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social or the CAJA as it is known. This is the socialized medical plan of Costa Rica also covering pensions. CAJA provides medical care for all members without regard to pre-existing conditions and this is the other area where I believe the diputados made an error. While it is one thing to control the pre-existing rules within one country (like the USA for example) and between insurance carriers in that country, it is quite another to open the CAJA system to the world and allow anyone with a very costly illness to “buy” unlimited medical care for as little at $600.00 per month. I fear this may come back and bite those legislators on their collective butts.
- Show me the $$$. Where is the money coming from? That is always a fun and interesting question in Costa Rica. Sadly, the answer often is… there is none. There does, however, appear to be a provision affecting all immigration transactions (tramite) that may now carry a charge, in one report, $25.00 per tramite. This is not a verified fact.
- Amnesty? One source indicates the the president of Costa Rica will now have the right to grant residency. This was interpreted to mean that the president could grant a massive amnesty to illegals now here in the country. I am not sure I agree with that leap of logic though it may be correct. After having asked around, I cannot very anything, but there is precedent for amnesty as it was twice given in the 90′s, in essence granting legal residency to all those who could prove they had lived here illegally for a specified period of time. Could this happen again? Quien sabe? It would certainly make the job of the new immigration police force a lot easier as they could start with a clean slate.
So what is next? When is this law? So why is this all not just clear? For that, you must understand how things work here.
The next step as that the law must be signed by the president of Costa Rica, Don Oscar Arias. Once that has been done, the law will be published in La Gaceta. The law goes into effect six months after being published there. So that’s when we will know everything right? Nope, and this is a point that is often simply impossible to teach those from other countries, especially those from the USA where the law is the law.
Law is NOT law here. Yes, there is a law, but that law is then interpreted by the agency involved, in this case immigration. They will then interpret and enforce this law as they see fit and enforce it as they see fit. If someone does not like it, they will take it to the Supreme Court and THEY will interpret it. Sound easy? Nope… because in the past, various government agencies have paid not the least attention to the supreme court decisions and have just continued to operate as they had before. This has happened several times with immigration since I have lived here. This time though, they have a pretty good law and the director of immigration seems to be an intelligent man… so we shall see! In any case, the supreme court eventually gets torqued and starts handing out threats of jail, monetary penalties, etc. at which point the government agency involved does pay attention.. This issue just seems to make Gringos go crazy as it is anathema to the structured and well defined laws in the USA. Hint… If you are going to live here, you must understand that you are not in Kansas anymore and that what me be clear to you, is not clear at all.
Comments welcome!
116 Responses to “The New Costa Rica Immigration Law”
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Great synopsis. Do you know of any provision written into the new law that specifically targets PTs (Permanent Tourists). I have heard, but was not abke to verify, that people entering CR will not be allowed to come and go every 90 days They will be limited to only two two entrances.
This sounds like an unenforceable provision (if it is true). What do you know?
Thanks for putting this into perspective. A lot of confusion out there, and it’s nice to have a source that pragmatically sums up what’s going on.
Keep up the good work!
Will:
How you did this is beyond belief! Coherent interpretation of anything in CR is virtually impossible and appears you did it.
Thank you for the kind words!
Ummmm… Hope you mean ME
My name is Tim!
Andy… I covered that in the article. I expect if there is no amnesty, a lot of folks will be scurrying
did I read correctly? Did you say $600/month to be in the CAJA or $60.00? $600.00 would be pretty stiff for a $1000/month pensioner.
Thanks for your immigration article.
Living in Costa Rica is becoming much more difficult and expensive. This is true be it expat perpetual tourist, resident or long time vacationer. Pocket books and expat attitudes are feeling the financial attrition and many are hopping mad about it. Enough is enough already! For instance: April, 2009, my wife and I experienced a doubling of the price of electricity (same number of outages). Now our electricity costs the same as in the US. Also, local grocery prices have increased 30-40 percent during the past year (’08-’09). For expats, the DOUBLING-PLUS of prices CONTINUES with great abandon. This is true from many venues like rental housing, farmacias, even heladerias, automobile service, and other necessary businesses. Land prices are another subject. I have a friend who, in the midst of disgust and disappointment, recently (May ’09) made a land purchase. Previously, on the same piece of land, he made two offers to buy. Costa Rican land owners doubled his price. His third attempt was a charm. He finally got a fair deal (so he thinks) and that was two lawyers later who charged monster fees. Lawyers, still another subject, seem to continue to practice “whatever the traffic will stand”. All of this and more causes plenty of expat angst and conflicted feelings. There seems to be no end to Costa Rica’s ratcheting-up of extracting more money from expats! As usual, “The New Costa Rica” has told the truth about immigration and done an excellent job. For those who want to live in Costa Rica, immigration reform notwithstanding, life is becoming much more difficult. Costa Rica is a good place for a fun and beautiful vacation, but living here is questionable. Pura Vida!
Cy Bolinger
Bill. Please re-read the post? I mentioned nothing about the cost of CAJA. It is unclear if it will be a flat rate or based on age.
What I DID say is that a person with extensive health issues could come to Costa Rica with say $10,000 in medications ( monthly) and receive those drugs FREE by paying for their RESIDENCY at (currently) $600.00 per month and $1,000 per month next year. In fact I already know at least 5 people who are doing this. THAT will bankrupt CAJA if not brought under control.
Even a rentista paying $2.500 per month could benefit if taking costly medications.
What I did not write,m and should have, is that after three years, one can apply for Permanent Residency and then not pay a DIME except for CAJA as Permanent Residents do not pay any deposit nor are they subject to any monthly income restraints.
I’ve been living here 4 years now and you hit it right on the head.
The people in ” government” here are complete idiots.
I gotta go find a car seat for my 12 year old grandkid that is 5 foot 8, 145 lbs.Can’t break the new “law”.
I also need to stop and see a friend in the hospital so I need to buy some long pants. Can’t break that new ” law” either.
Correct. No men in shorts at the hospitals. Fat Ticas with tank tops are OK.
I’ve had enough. Looking for property in Venezuela now.
i received my rentista with a 2 yr time limit- and now i need to re-apply for the next 2 yrs? Anyway I have an appointment with immigration coming up soon. my lawyer wants to charge me $500 for re-upping and tell me that i might be ableto get 3 yrs instead of 2- which ould make me eligible for cr citizenship- anyway here are my questions- can i simply go to BCR for my re- up rentista residency at my appointment?- also i want to bring a girl from another country to CR- I looked it up on the consulate website and it says a 30 day tourist stay is possible with a round trip or pass- thru ticket– but this lawyer wants $1500 and says i will need to put $10,000 in her(my girlfriends) bank in her country and bring her in as a domestic–I am thinking my(costa Rican) lawyer is the bigest cheat n the planet . So – pls tell me- can I re-up my rentista residency at BCR? Is it really that simple? AND- it loks like I can ring my girlfriend( from another country than usa) into cr for 30 days- can anyone tell me how i can change my girlfriends status once she is inCR so that she can stay here in CR with me- Thank you so very muh for this blog and our clear, concise explanations of he system. with people like u helping us ex-pats– the cheating lawyers will be put out of business in CR- and i might add that all the lawyers certainly aren’t cheats- my land purchase lawyer is absolutely the most honest and best there is- PLEASE RESPOND
Sadly, it appears the dream of living in Costa Rica has just been squashed for me. It sounds like CR is following in the foodsteps of its northern evil big brother, America I mean. Why is it always, ALWAYS about money? And for what? So a handfull of people can get fatter and richer, while the rest suffer. I appreciate this blog and all the info the author has provided plus all the comments, because otherwise, who would know that what once seemed on the surface to be a wonderful place to live is sounding more and more like a mini-U.S… Thanks, but I guess the hunt for a country where I can live and be truly free continues..
OMG, the more I read here, the more I am sooooooooo avoiding even visiting CR now. What a total and absolute shame. “Stop the world, I want to get off.”
Tim-
Under the new residency rules for rentista do you still have to show the $2500/mth income for the previous 5 years or just be able to make the deposits to keep your residency status active?
Hi, Tim. Is there a such thing as getting a Costa Rican to “sponsor” you so that you don’t have to leave every 90 days? Also, how hard is it to get a work visa for C.R.? And will that visa allow you to stay longer?
Tim:
I’m a permanent resident now. I have heard that the new Immigration Law will require me to NOT be out of Costa Rica more than 6 months at a time.
Have you any news on this? If true, will this apply to existing permanent residents, or just new ones?
Second, regarding obligatory membership in the CAJA, will this apply to existing permanent residents, or just new ones?
And how will Costa Rica monitor this? Make me show proof of payments to the CAJA when I renew my residency?
This might be a problem for those who pay by Internet (via BNCR for example) since I have heard that the CAJA does not accept these BNCR “receipts” (becuse they are really just an email confirming that they have deducted a CAJA payment from my account).
So, does that mean we must go personally to a local CAJA ofice and pay, and get an official receipt?
Who art thou o wise one? Keep writing we will keep reading.excellent stuff!
Two things, Tim:
First, how long does it normally take you to moderate a message? I sent one on the 22nd that is still under scrutiny. There is nothing urgent about it, but perhaps you have forgotten about it?
Second, have you or anyone seen the law (not grandma’s conjecture about what might make sense) requiring an incoming tourist to have a pre-paid plane ticket exiting COsta Rica? There are those who swear this is so, but don’t quote the Law. They quote instead an article by the Tico Times or A.M. COsta RIca.
The reason I doubt that a plane ticket is mandatory, that a bus ticket out of CR won’t do, is that some tourists enter by bus!
So, what’s the real story?
Tim,
Can you clarify? Is the $1000/$2500 being paid to the govt or is that the amount neeeded to be verified as monthly income while in CR?
If not, do you have any idea of the cost of CAJA/month?
I don’t live there but am considering it. Thanks for your help.
Tim, I just read your article. So two questions, has the President signed it into law, and if so, what is the date it really becomes effective?
You see, we are planning in coming down and starting our residency paperwork as pensionado in January of ’10, the soonest that we can. If we make it before the February deadline you mentioned, will we still be able to apply at the $600 per month pensionado, or will we have to meet the new $1000/month limit?
Thanks, Dana & Ann.
Do you know if one who meets the pensioners requirements, ie. income and age are restricted from applying for residency under this progrsm if there is a dependent under 18?
Informative blog. I am doing a brief review of it on my blog and adding it to my blog’s resources list. I mostly do general articles about retiring abroad and try to point my readers to blogs written by actual expats or locals living in a particular county. If I hadn’t decided on the Philippines for my retirement, Costa Rica would have been one of the runner-up countries not too far behind. Keep up the nice articles … Costa Rica will remain one of the hot retirement destinations for many Americans.
1. There is NO age restriction on pensionados and 2 you can bring as many kids under 18 as you wish.
He has signed it and the law becomes effective March 1, 2010
If you apply before March 1, you will need proof of $600… after it will be $1,000
It is paid to a Costa Rica Bank. Ni income is needed as you pay that in cash. You might also buy an annuity, but one way or the other, it is a cash outlay unless you already have it in an account.
Normally, it takes only a few days and then only for your first comment. No delays after that.
With FEW exceptions, you will not be permitted to fly one way unless you can prove citizenship or legal residency in CR. Yes, I have heard of exceptions… but very few. As R/T tickets are about the same price… why chance it?
Geez…. Just me
I’m a permanent resident now. I have heard that the new Immigration Law will require me to NOT be out of Costa Rica more than 6 months at a time.
Nope… must be in the country I think 24 hours during the year.
Second, regarding obligatory membership in the CAJA, will this apply to existing permanent residents, or just new ones?
As grandfathering is not permitted, it will probably not apply to you.
And how will Costa Rica monitor this? Make me show proof of payments to the CAJA when I renew my residency?
That would be my guess… unclear as the law will nto go into effect until 2101 and the rules have yet to be written
This might be a problem for those who pay by Internet (via BNCR for example) since I have heard that the CAJA does not accept these BNCR “receipts” (becuse they are really just an email confirming that they have deducted a CAJA payment from my account).
You will show your CAJA card though as I mention, I doubt this will affect you.
No to the first question
Impossible to the second
and no to the third.
You should read:
http://www.therealcostarica.com/residency_costa_rica/working_costa_rica.html
Your question is not clear… but I will guess…
After 3 years, you convert to permanent residency which requires no deposit. If you do not, then you pony up another 5 years worth of cash!
Here would be my suggestions!
China
Cuba
Russia
or just about any other communist country as I think that would fulfill your needs
Get rid of that lawyer today
I cannot assist with the girl friend as you did not state her country of origin. A deposit is NEVER needed
Tim:
In you blog on the new CR Immigration Law you wrote: “Rentistas, those who wish to live here legally but are too young or otherwise do not qualify for a pension like social security, will now deposit $2,500.00 per month”
As I am new I would appreciate your clarification. Is this a minimum monthly deposit into a CR banking account for your use or is it a payment to the CR government?
It is a (Bulk) payment to a Costa Rica bank or in some cases, can be made to a bank in your country. See http://www.arcr.net or the forums at http://forums.arcr.net
Tim,
Does the new law affect work permits? I want to “move” to CR next year to be an ESL/TEFL teacher and wanted to use a work permit to stay there. As far as I know, they’re good for 6 months at a time, and you must have an employer sponsor you.
also, do you know how long it typically takes to obtain a work permit after finding a company to sponsor you?
This is a SCAM. There are no such things as work permits for ESL/TEFL and there have not been for years. Work permits are given ONLY for people who can do a job that no Costa Rican can do. As ESL/TEFL is certainly something numerous Costa Ricans can do, do not expect any such permit. Some companies promise to “sponsor” you or tell you that such permits exist and you can get one. Do not believe it. The ONLY exception, and this is NOT for ESL/TEFL are some private schools for regular teaching jobs which are VERY hard to get, last TWO years, and require a Masters degree and teaching certificate plus years of experience.
Thanks for the quick, although frustrating response. I know that US citizens get certified and go teach ESL/TEFL in countries all over the world. I don’t personally know someone who has done it in Costa Rica, but I can’t imagine that they don’t have any native English ESL teachers there outside of the private school jobs that are hard to get.
So, is my only option to get permanent residency? Well, it’s not even an option since I don’t have that kind of income or savings.
Very informative report – thank you!
I have a question on the ¨perpetual tourist¨ paragraph. There are rumors going around, that you have to leave the country for only 3 hours, and not the usual 72 – any truth to that? thanks!!!
I have just started checking out Costa Rica as a retirement “getaway”. My SS starts on Jan 13th and I will get $1166 plus I should have a decent pile from the sale (I hope)of my house. I am coming down there alone and am wondering if that monthly income will be sufficient. I definitely live low end and would like to get by with a bicycle but I don’t want to have to struggle…I’ve had enough
Actually… perpetual tourism is risky and not legal. More an more are being refused re-entry… but to answer your question, you need only leave for 1 minute then return to receive a new visa. There is no time limit nor has there ever been one. The 72 hour thing is based (in fact) on receiving $500.00 import exemption.
I am retired, been here two months have not
decided on residence yet. what are the chances if I LEAVE I will not get back in. Iam staying with a family and will leave some of my baggage Cant afford to loose it.
About 100% unless you have done something very bad to get yourself excluded
Sure. My sister does it with just a few bucks more is SS and no cash from home sale.
Hey there…got a question that ive been asking migration in CR for weeks and getting a different answer every time.
Ive got a job in CR. Im a technical specialist (a tico cannot do my job) with a US based company that has an office in San Jose. I did everything the embassy of CR in Washington DC required(http://www.migracion.go.cr) which advised I needed my birth certificate, police record, passport noterized, authenticated by the secretary of state of my my home state. I was then required to send these documents to the consulate at the Embassy of CR in Washington DC for authorization from them.
I got my papers back and went to Costa Rica to get all of the info found at http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/living/temporary_working_visa.htm AND http://www.migracion.go.cr/permanencia_legal/resid_temp/Residencia%20Temporal%20para%20Cientificos.pdf which includes fingerprints, work contract…ect
I spoke to the CR consulate in DC directly and was advised that all I needed to do was show up to migration in La Urica, with my documents, and advise them I needed to change my status from Tourist to Temporary Resident and apply for a temporary work pass.
I showed the receptionist my papers and she rudely threw them back at me and said that ALL of my docuemnts needed to be authenticated and I would have to go, IN PERSON, to the Consulate of CR in Washington DC in order to do this. I found out this was not true by later calling DC directly. They adivsed that they offer no such service, and that the service they provided me, was the only service they provide in the US. Then my company hired a lawyer to assist and he advised the same thing as Migration.
Someone has no clue what they are doing, and it sounds like Migration in CR. Ive invested much too much time and money into this process and am desperatly trying to get this process rollinng before my tourist status expires in a month. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your reply!
I am interviewing for management positions at resorts there next month and plan on moving in January with my fiance who is a chef and son (5yrs old). If we are working for a resort, what are the requirements for residency? Is is different if we buy a home versus renting? Can my son go to school there? Lastly, I’m still confused about the monthly “payments”, are you saying that you pay $2500/month -money that you don’t get to use? Or do you just need to make atleast this much income?
Please help! If I apply as rentista for a lump deposit of 60,000 as per the old law before the new law comes into affect in MAR 2010, can I still qualify as rentista? $1000to$2500/mo is such a big jump!
Yup! Do it before March 1, 2010
Where you work is not relevant.
You may NOT work here in ANY capacity until you receive your PERMANENT residency.
See: http://www.therealcostarica.com/residency_costa_rica/working_costa_rica.html
Please read the sections on residency. They are quite clear. Web site and blog.
Hire a residency attorney. This is NOT a do-it-yourself thing. http://www.arcr.net can assist.
This is all very interesting information. I currently live in Florida now and considering to moving to CR, what information about pets do you have? I have 2 dogs I want to take with me because they are all I have. Also, as a single person, what other challenges can you tell, that I may face?
You are the best info I have seen yet! Thank you! I bought a condo @Rio Perles in Paraiso. Should I put it in a corp? I also put $ in BAC-enought for res.status. My wife and I want to spend alot of time in CR,but not live full time. Should I apply for res.status?, (as I think we qualify financially). I would like to put the bank funds into a CD:Colonies or dollars+ And what duration do you recommend? KEEP UP THE GOOD INFO,Please!
Great post, thanks!
I am scared that Iam not understanding correctly…IF My husband & I apply for rentista option, how long do we have to provide the $2500 per month? Is it only for the 3 yrs until we are able to apply for Permanant residency-and is 3 yrs the correct length of time? Also is the $2500 that is deposited every month able to be used for the currancy conversion requirement or does it just stay in an account that we cannot touch and if so do we lose that money? Feeling like a complete idiot by asking these questions but we are in our 40′s and cannot afford to make any mistakes!
Thank you for being patient with me!
Did you read the web site?
As you do not state how many kids you have, if any, I cannot give you numbers, but you will deposit SIXTY (60) times your monthly amount ($2,500.00 if after March 1, 2010) UP FRONT and in cash.
So if you apply after March 1, 2010 that would be $2,500 X 60 = $150,000.00 that must be paid when applying for residency. That is the money that you are expected to live on, and you must withdraw $2,500 per month and convert it to colones.
After year three, you can APPLY for permanent residency which takes maybe a year, but that does NOT mean you do not have to pay the $150k up front. Obviously they have no idea if you plan to change residency. You can get back any funds in your deposit account after you receive permanent residency.
Tim, does the entire process of application for residency need to be completed by March 1, or would we be able to achieve residency under the current rules if we have applied and begun the process before the change takes effect? Have a tiny place we call home in CR, planned to move this year, but life in the US has distracted us and we did not see this change coming in time. I am kicking myself! We CAN fulfill the current rentista requirements (a few years short of social security and pension income yet), but the new ones would be insurmountable for us. We have many Tico friends and living full time there has been lifelong dream for us.
Tim, your blog is very informative. Thank you for the information.
A few questions:
1. In regards to the new law, has it been published online anywhere in English? The actual text of the law, I mean?
2. How is “perpetual tourism” not legal? Where does it say it’s not legal? It seems to me that if they issue you a new visa, it’s a new visa and legal for another 90 days.
3. Also in regards to the new law—I’ve heard that it sets a limit (2 times only) to the number of times you can reenter the country/renew a 90-day tourist visa. Is this true or just more rumour?
I am assuming that if you marry a citzen and the gov can verify that it is true, you can be exempt from the income requirements??
Sorry. There are no residency plans that require income. One requires a source of funds (not income) and another requires a deposit. Permaenet residency requires neither but is NOT automatic by marrying a Costa Rican citizen.
1. Laws are never published in English. Spanish is the language of Costa Rica
2. I have covered this in detail many times in many locations. I amnot going to do it again here. Believe as you wish.
3. Nothing has been defined as of yet. Wait and see.
Hello Tim,
I am the head of a small family(Wife and Son) in Austin, Texas. I have read through the blog and to be honest I am somewhat confused. My family and I have a few thousand dollars saved up and were looking to make the move to CR soon. I would still need to bring in some source of income while down there to make student loan payments etc. here in the United States. My wife and I really don’t have a designated time we would like to stay, but with the economy being as it is and me unable to make the right moves towards my career we would like to do something like this now while we are young and don’t have too many obligations.
I speak Spanish and have experience in the service industry as well as a college degree, but it almost seems impossible to be able to establish a life down there for my family and I. Although it seems like a lot of things fall through the cracks with the Govt. down there I want to do it the right way, especially for the sake of my son who is 1 and a half. I have looked into being certified to teach English in Costa Rica and noticed it would cost about $2,000 U.S., but it only pays out about $400-$800 monthly and from what I understand….. I need to make $2,500 monthly or is that just the amount I need to deposit when I get there? Do you have any advice on what my “Best Bet” would be if I wanted to move my family down there for more than a couple months?
Thank you,
Travis
Please rad this carefully.
http://www.therealcostarica.com/residency_costa_rica/working_costa_rica.html
I believe I to qualify for a pensionado but in addition to my spouse I support a dependant with disabilities who is over 18 years of age. Would I be able to bring her with me to CR as pensionado?
You should contact a residency attorney here for this information.
I have been in a common law relationship for the past 10 years. Does Costa Rica recognize common law relationship as “married” for the purpose of pensionado residency? If so, what kind of document do they require since I don’t have a marriage certificate?
Thank you
Francine
No a ‘common law relationship’ is not recognized here for residency purposes. You will be required to apply independently of each other so both of you will need at least the $1000 per month pension.
Tim,
I am an US Army Veteran, injured in Iraq and will be getting 100% VA Disability in June or July. This is not worded as a “Pension”, the difference being that Medical retirement from the VA continues after my death to any dependents, whereas my disability
payments will be paid at ~$3000 USD/Mo until my death and then stop. I turn 45 in June 2011. Would I then qualify as a pensionado? I will not have $150,000 for a lump sum to apply as a rentista but will have the guaranteed monthly payments from said disability from the US Government. Not really covered in any of the websites or the great blog/website you have here.
Thanks,
Don
Does anybody know how foreigners that were married in Costa Rica and have their case pending with immigration will be treated? I’m planning a trip back to the States in July to visit for the first time in 2.5 years. I was married in Jan ’09 here to a Costa Rican and have had my papers with immigration for about a year now. Does anyone know if I will have any trouble leaving/entering Costa Rica? I have not left Costa Rica since the end of 2008.
First off I want to thank you for all you have put into the site, the blogs and everything. Impressive and just tons of info. Like so many, I am looking for and hoping to find pretty much the same ideas of a nice relaxing place to live blah blah, no reason to rehash all the stuff. However, the only thing I have not found here or anywhere else has to do with the health insurance. I am retired military and my Tricare insurance is good virtually anywhere in the world. Where should I search, who can I ask, about any possible exception/exemption from the state health care policies if I show up with lifetime guaranteed health insurance? Frankly having to pay a few to several hundred dollars per month on redundant coverage would squash even my modest plans to live on less than $2000 total military retirement pay.
Thanks again for all you do and the fantastic advice and information.
Ron
I have heard many things concerning bringing pets into Costa Rica. Would you please give me the true requirements for pets. I have info that the exam from the vet is sent to the USDA, returned to me and sent with the dog. Do I need anything from the Costa Rica side?
I agree the money is extreamly too much and the law is assinine, i get only 450$ a month from dissability and i was going to do an anuity for 3 yrs of 1400$ just for a morgage, all i can ever possibly do. i went to costa in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, property and people got extreamy greedy since then. all there is now is tons of condos and rich americans that cant even surf thanks contractors and the rich for killing the dream for people that actually care about this place on earth that use to be so far away from it all, peace…
Pat – Regarding pets
My Mom lives in CR and brings her Maltese back and forth with her a few times each year. She has to get papers from the vet in USA for the trip over to CR> These papers are only good for 10 days. Then to go back to the USA she has to go to a vet in CR to get new papers. She’s never even been asked to see the papers on either end. But she always has them. It’s a small price to pay to have your pet with you!
looks like costa has lost the charm being over americanized and seems the government is catoring to the rich just like home sad
for residency
I have read a lot of opinions and I have to be honest, I did not make it through all the posts, but I was informed by my attorney and the ARCR that any and all permanent residents not working in Costa Rica must join the CAJA. If you have permanent residency and you are working in Costa Rica then you do not need to continue to pay the CAJA. It is taken out of your pay and paid by your employer; similar to FICA in the states. Does anyone know any different? Also, this is my first year renewing my cedula. Any tips? Advice? You can email me directly at sjsmith1969@yahoo.com
im having a baby in october this year and now im 3 months illegal and im filippina form the philippines
im waiting for the birth and citizenship of my baby and i cant go anywhere anyway let alone go out each 30 days to reset my visa so if my baby is citizen and after that can i get residency for me and babies father ( father is legal here but not a resident )will my ( the mother ) illegal situation still be considered after the baby is a citizen in costa rica
i plan on getting a lawyer after the baby is born to deal with this residency thing.
I just wanted to say Thank you for all this information and besides that I must say that it was so easy (Pura Vida) in the late 90´s. We came and went, lived and moved around just the way we pleased. Nobody bothered us. Nobody searched for documents and all that stuff. We paid the police in “our” beach village to take care of the security in the village – he got his share every week to make a living – and we just lived the life of hippies. I am writing this because today I made a phone call to a friend in CR talking about coming back for an unspecified time. Sure enough we had old times on our mind not thinking about all the troubles and hassles that would come with this venture.
Nevertheless, I feel blessed to have experienced this once easy going life and we had an awful good time.
The world is running out of places like Costa Rica once was.
Speak with your lawyer.
At renewal, just take a copy of your (paid) CAJA planilla given to you each month by your employer.
Can applying for residency (permanent) any easier for someone who is related to costa rican citizens? My grandmother was born there, she lives in the US now but her brothers and sisters never left. Ive got many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Speaking of applying for residence here in Costa Rica. I gave up. I’ve been here two years now and am married to a Costa Rican woman. Doesn’t matter to immigration. Here’s my birth certificate, sorry it needs to be dated no longer than six months when you received it. OK, and it needs to have a timbre stamp on it as all the documents you present need to have. Well where do I get a timbre?. You might try your embassy here but I don’t think that they do that. Immigration officer further states that she once heard that someone got one in Miami. On to police reports. Must be 6 months old also. With a timbre. The timbres must be purchased if you find the people who are selling them. I submitted my 3 copies of my police report from the states which are clean. I can’t request them online after speaking with the police dept. in my city and need to apply in person. My copies are invalid as well as my birth certificate. Your passport needs to be stamped legally and have not expired the 90 days while you are processing. Meaning going into Nicaragua or Panama for 72 hours and then crossing back into Costa Rica with your passport stamped for another 90 days. You need to have medical insurance when you apply. Join the CAJA and my cost with an social security income between 800 and 1200 dollars is 75.00 a month. Good medical care and facilities but like Canada it is a socialize medical country. My brother in law who is a Costa Rican has been waiting for more than a year and a half for a knee replacement. Oh. don’t forget your timbre on your CAJA document.Also you must find some one to transcribe all the documentations into Spanish. That’s only half of it. I won’t trouble you with the rest. I prefer to live here unmolested and buy a one way and a round trip airline ticket to come back when I leave the states. Oh, don’t bother looking for an attorney to help because they all will for a price and you will do all the work anyway. For instance, 3 different attorneys in my city state that you must stay married to a Costa Rican woman to apply for married residency for 1 year, 3 years, 5 years from the 3 attorneys. Immigration after I related to them the attorneys findings they told me hogwash, that the attorneys do not know what they are talking about. Ok I asked, what then is the requirement?. I don’t know responded the immigration officer. Ok, thanks for all your help. Adios. Puda Vida. P.S. The immigration officer is a child friend who grew up with my wife. Hmmmm!
An astonishing amount of your information is just plain 100% wrong.
You would have completed the process LONG ago had you just used a good residence attorney (see http://www.arcr.net) in the first place. I know hundreds (including me) who never had any of the issues you are describing.
Hmm. Then you would find talking to immigration here in Cuidad Quesada quite the contrary. Maybe then you could recommend a residency attorney here or near by that i could consult with.
We have a rentista residency and it is now time for renewal. No problems with renewal the first year, now it is time for the third year and everything has changed.
2 questions (maybe they were addressed above, buy I could not find the answer):
1 – We made the deposit into a CD in BNCR for the $60K when we first got our rentista residency. Now that the law has changed, are we going to now have to start depositing $2500/mo until we get our permanent residency, or are we, as we like to say in the US “grandfathered in”?
2- The law is we have to be in CR for 4 months, this year I did not make the 4 months, my husband did and is working on getting his renewal. Is there any way that I am able to get mine renewed once I am able to get back to CR, without having to start the application for residency all over????
Any info is appreciated. I know everyone is at a different step in the process. We thought we were doing so well and now they have changed the laws.
Thanks for your help,
C
I am not married but living common law with my girlfriend and our two kids. One of our kids is from a previous relationship. We would like to try renting in CR from around nov 1 st to march 30. We currently live in Canada. Kids are young, one would be in grade three while we were there. I have read the information about becoming a rentista. Do you think all this is nessesary if we are only going to try it out or do you think we would be better off to just leave the country for a day(72 hours), every ninety days which would only be once. Mainly I’m wondering if it would still be possible to enroll our son in a private school without some kind of residency in place.
1. You are grandfathered
2. If you have your own rentista residency, then you have a problem (if they notice). If piggybacked on your husbands, then I think no issue, but you should check with your residency attorney.
Read the whole blog Tim – very helpful, thanks.
My wife and I are planning to be “pensionados” come 2017 (then aged 60, hence 5 years before UK pension kicks in @ c.$1,000 per month JOINTLY) Before then we hope to have saved a sufficient amount(where is my crystal ball?) which will produce interest, working on say 5% p.a. to return $2K p.m. this projected lump sum would include the proceeds from the eventual sale of our house.
Reading what other bloggers report above it seems that the cost of living in CR is beginning to increase significantly as is inflation in general (I read elsewhere 13% p.a.) …..so if $2K grows at that same rate, we actually require $4,700 p.m. to enjoy the same lifestyle as today’s rate. If I can trust my math, then I gotta double my nest egg in the coming seven years or work until 65 i.e.12 more years not 7 or even find a savings plan that can out-perform CR’s inflation rate….not easy! Lotto tickets @ $1.5 x 52 x 7 with probability of winning…….guess you see where this is going. It would seem that CR is becoming an unreachable dream. All that notwithstanding that the CR authorities might yet pump up the threshold qualification amount further. I climbed from the bottom up and have been an ex-pat most of my life to put myself in a position to choose another way to how it was written and I wanna tell you it galls me to know that my own country is too darn expensive and now CR looks that way too. Now considering following the sunshine as a perpetual tourist – options running out otherwise.
Would you say that CR is trying to stem the flow of affluent (comparatively) Westerners by hiking up rates whilst Ticos (bless em!) seize every opportunity to nickle-an-dime the Gringos away!
Tim : Thanks for the Good info. Im a 100% service connected VN Vet… got the rating in 91, and was made permanant in 99.. I also get Soc. Sec. to the tune ( total ) of over 3K monthly. Im alone and 62 in dec 2010. and have been in Alaska for way too long… will I have many problems , ( HOOPS ) to overcome coming down to visit , possibly live ??My medical is covered for life… and my income is due to increase if our Government gets its collective Head Out…I would love to hear from any old Vets that would like to respond to this … E Mail me to ( tanker196971@yahoo.com ).. Thanks , Jason Mathews
Hi I’m looking to open a business in Costa-Rica I’ve already got my coperation papers…location emplyees and product,,But i don’t have my legal papaers for staying more than 90days what should i do??
where do i apply for this?
How long does it take?
Does it cost anything?
Representante Residency Program – Costa Rica
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.
Can earn an income from the company.
Can own a company and receive income.
Read the web site, get your legal residency, and contact ARCR (www.arcr.net) for info regarding that form of residency. It is VERY difficult.
So, its 2010, going on 2011. I heard there may be a limit to how many days tourists can stay in Costa Rica during a year period. Is this happening???
It has always been 90 days for US traverlers. Still is!
Are there any reasonably-priced assisted living facilities? Looking for minimal assistance, private room/bath.
Great info, thanks!
Tim,
It’s 2011 now. I’m married to a Tica. I just called a 900 number to get a cita with Banco Costa Rica to pay the fees to renew my residency. I was informed that I needed to get insurance with the caja. After that I came here. There are a few comments that make me think that I don’t. Anyways, since the air has probably settled on this, what do you know? Do I have to get insurance with the CAJA?
Thanks
Yup… you need CAJA
Hey Tim,
“Pensionados, those who receive a guaranteed income from US Social Security, a State pension fund or other “guaranteed” source, will be now required to show proof of $1,000 per month (US) income.”
I’m a little too young for SS, but am nearing retirement. Would a $100,000 Annuity paying out in excess of $1,000 per month to an applicant for Pensionados residency be viewed as an ‘other guaranteed source?’
I have a friend who is going down to CR in a few weeks. She is 7 months pregnant and believes by delivering her child in CR she will be able to apply and get permanent residency. Is this true? I’m worried about her traveling SO pregnant, and things not working out for her also!
Thanks!
Half right…. She will be eligible to APPLY for residency but will not get permanent residency. Process will take about 18 months from DOB.
Not sure doctors are fond of travel at 7 months…. kinda dumb IMHO, but if she is in perfect health and her doctor agrees…?
Hope she has arranged for a doc here and a place to give birth…
No.
An annuity is a 100% guarantee that an acceptable company promises to pay you $1,000 per month for LIFE, not until the $100,000 runs out.
Depending on your age, to purchase such an annuity may cost 100′s of 1000s’ of dollars. If you are say 60 and your life expectancy is 88 that alone is $336,000 and you would have to pay more than that I am sure…
Tim,
My question is, if I come into CR as a rentista, with my 15 year old daughter (who will be 18 by the time I can apply for permanent residency, but will still be a dependent since she will be full time in university), what happens to her status once I become a permanent resident? Can she piggyback on my status, or would the only way that I can maintain her right to stay in CR be to stay rentista and just renew after 5 years (with another $150,000 deposited)? Is there anyway to get her in as a permanent resident when I make the transition?
P.S. Also, with me in rentista status, do you know if, for her to have dependent status with me after 18 years old, she will have to be a university student in CR? Seems like no, since I only have to be in the country 4 months, and not even sure she has to be in CR for 4 months also, so does her university have to be in CR?
I have a question. i have been looking around your site for a while now making up my mind on where i would like to live and practice my art ( i have bfa and would like to use it, that seems to be hard for me in the usa). Me and my husband are both young 20 somethings that want to move out the the us and leave somewhere where the quality of life is not taken for granted. I really like costa rica but i do not see a way that we could live there and not break any immigrations laws. there no way we can apply to be residents, and live there. my husband and i would not be coming there with 150,000 dollars or a pensions, we can’t marry anyone as we are marry, is there any way for us to move there, and if so what do we need to do start to do now so sometime next year we can start finding a place to rent. oh to be clear we do want to work there and plan on being a good citizen, not just freeloading. thank you so much for the website. wish you could make one for every country
Quick answer… nope. Save the $150,000 or don’t come.
Hi there.
Surfed your site with great interest.My wife and i are thinking of retiering in COSTA RICA.iN ANTICIPATION OF THIS MOVE we are visiting SAN JOSE IN feb.27th-mar.9th.Can you please direct us to any agency assisting potential EX-PATS with answers to questions such us what is required for a smooth transition.If you know of any agency prviding this kind of service please let us know,would like to spend some time chating with them while in CR.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
DAN RADULESCU
LOL, i love that last answer Tim, it does not get any more clear than that does it… I’ve been uncomfortable living in my home country… (Canada)Been wanting to leave this life and fast paced society for years, and Costa Rica is on top of my list!!! I love your work Tim, I love your blogs, I take everything you say very serious. Im saving my money… 143000 to go lolol. Im only 32 my wife 31, and 2 little girls, i come no where close to having a pension, so save , save , save or win the lottery.
Im anxious to VISIT the country, and hopefully this year, and if my budget pulls through, I will be contacting you for a “real life, reality” tour.
Anyway, after months of reading your work, today is the first time I speak up, I respect your writing, I wish to live and breath the air as you…
One day, I will live the “pura vida” give my girls a good education and good health care they deserve.
From silence to out spoken, my name is Arie, and Im grateful for your knowledge, hope to speak in the future, and I will share my thoughts in your future posts.
I was living in CR for three years as a tourist and was able to incorporate so I could own a bar. I left the country for 3 days every 3 months, as I was told at the time that was all I needed to do to legally stay.
I sold the bar 3 years ago and haven’t been back until just this past month for a visit. A good friend of mine is now a doctor and is interested in having his own clinic. I would like to invest in this venture with him. If we end up doing this I would like to be able to visit him for a month at a time, 4 or 5 times a year.
Is their someone we can contact that is in a position to understand what will be required of us to go forward with this joint venture.
I would appreciate any advice, thanks!
my husband and i have been living in costa rica for past 6 months, we would like to file for pensionado, heard there were new laws. what is the newest requirements from start to finish to apply?
Nope… no new laws. See my web site for requirements.
I would suggest a Costa Rica attorney who specializes in business.
Can a US retiree still live comfortably on $2200/mo? I can live fairly frugally but I’d need a furnished residence on the ground floor (I’m somewhat handicapped). Do you think somewhere in Heredia would be a nice compromise weather-wise? I’d prefer not to live where it’s REAL hot.
Becoming a pensionado: If I understand it correctly one of the things I’ll need is something from my local police that states I don’t have a record, etc. I live in a small town in CT that has a police dept. but when I asked them about it they looked at me like I’m crazy. Any suggestions?
I’d like to join the chorus of others that have thanked you for your hard work. I’ve learned so much about CR from your writings and can’t wait to visit in a few months.
Hi Tim, my wife and i just started reading your site and are really benefiting a lot from your conprehensive knowledge on Costa rica thanks. we will look you up when we come. I’m a Canadian cityzen with a “permanent residency status”in CR since 1996 from a former marriage to a CR National. Recently married the love of my life;a Chinese woman. Right here in Mainland China. She is considered from one of the countries of the “fourth group”…Which requires a lot of bureaucracy preparations we are involved in just to get her a 30 days “tourist visa” so she can spend some time with me getting to know our retirement home in CR Can she be granted visa extentions long enough for us to enjoy each other in CR while applying and waiting through the process for her permanent residency from within CR?
Dear Tim I came up with another question today which i just add to the yesterday one above awaiting your answer I have a good one i’m sure you can arbitrate between my wife and i . From one of your short paragraph i quoted below can you tell us if you think my wife qualifies to apply for “permanent Residency” or not. i felt we found a piece of information on imm requirements that would apply to our circumstances. But tonight my wife thinks i am miss understanding this statement and she feels disqualified? She doesn’t trust my interpretation because she knows i’m looking at this from an ‘ESL” perspective.
Of course who better for us to ask than to you who wrote it and understand it’s relevant meaning for her.
Thanks for your help
http://www.therealcostarica.com/residency_costa_rica/costa_rica_residency.html
Permanent residency is granted to a qualifying person who is a first-degree relative (spouse, father, mother, sister, brother) of a Costa Rica citizen or to any other person who has held another legal form of residency (i.e. rentista) for a period of three years. With permanent res
The quick answer is probably, BUT I am not qualified to give a definitive answer and I do not provide legal advice. You should contact a reputable Costa Rica residency attorney when you get here.
As you state that you have been a legal Costa Rica PR since 1996, and that you now possess a current unexpired cedula, it would APPEAR that she would be eligible to apply for PR status as well.
Now I say APPEAR as this IS Costa Rica and I can see some possibly big issues as well as just delays… such as where you were married, for how long have you been married, if she is from Taiwan (as opposed to minland China), and about ten other things.
or… maybe nothing at all. That is they way it is here.
I cannot reply further to your questions. You need to either retain a Costa Rica residency attorney when you get here, or perhaps contact http://www.arcr.net.
Hi Tim = great blog and website – my hubby and i just left CR – been down twice this year – so we’ved decided to buy some land and build a house, plus open a business. I read somewhere that CR residency “investor” status now includes persons that are buying a home value $200,000 or more. Do you know anything about this or care to comment? would our business also help/apply in this case and does this mean it all has to be after completion or would signed contracts with franchisors, and home building contractors be good enough to prove our total investments are well over $200,000?
We must renew our residency. What is the cost of the pensionado renewal?
Thank you