General Entry Requirements

Adults and children require a valid passport with an expiration date of greater that either 30 or 180 days, depending on the citizenship, from the date of entry to Costa Rica. Canadian and U.S. Citizens do not need a Visa to travel to Costa Rica, and can stay up to 90 days.

Cost of Living

Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America. As you might expect, businesses catering to foreigners are more expensive than those catering to Costa Ricans.

Permanent Resident

A Costa Rican Conditional Permanent Resident is a foreign national who is granted the privilege of living in Costa Rica for a restricted period of time subject to specific conditions set by their filing status. When you file for permanent resident status (PRS), you are granted either permanent resident status (PRS) or conditional permanent resident status (CPRS). The Immigration Department of Costa Rica will make this determination based on how you or your attorney presented your case. The process of filing for PRS takes between 4 and 8 months depending on the complexity of your case. You can stay in Costa Rica with a valid tourist visa while your case is being reviewed. When you apply for permanent resident status and you are granted PRS you will be able to live and work in Costa Rica without conditions.

Eligibility

There are several paths to obtain permanent resident status (PRS) in Costa Rica listed below. Please click the path that applies to you:

• You are an immediate relative (parents, spouse, single brother, single sister, sons, and/or daughters) of a Costa Rican citizen or a permanent resident of Costa Rica.
• You have a Costa Rican company that would like to sponsor you and provide you with permanent employment, or you become the representative of a foreign company in Costa Rica.
• You invest in a Costa Rican industry or business.
• You have a secure income from a retirement plan or pension of at least $7,200.00US dollars per year.
• You have annuities equaled or higher than $12,000.00 per year.