Costa RicaInvestor residence permit

Investor residence permit in Costa Rica

The programme is provided by law for foreign nationals prepared to invest in the Costa Rican economy. A variety of investments are recognised: property, operating companies, securities, projects of national interest, forestry plantations and sustainable tourism. The residence permit obtained is renewable and opens a route to permanent residence. A participant receives tax concessions on foreign sources of income and preferential terms on importing belongings. The investor's family members may be included in the investor's status as dependants, including the spouse and children of various ages where they meet the criteria.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (Costa Rica) — Regularización

Who obtains investor residence and how

The programme is open to foreign nationals with a qualifying investment. The investor's family members obtain status as dependants.

Investor

A foreign national with an investment at or above the prescribed minimum
May obtain status in their own right by filing documents with the immigration department
Receives tax concessions on income from abroad

Dependent family members

The investor's spouse, included in a single application
The investor's children up to a certain age, or where they have a certified disability
Included through the supporting documentation attached to the investor's main application

When the programme will not suit

The investment cannot be set aside or registered in a recognised form

Consider the annuitant (rentista) category with property, which requires less capital, or digital nomad visas

Access to employment as the main source of income is needed

Apply for a work visa with documents from an employer, or consider freelancer visas

A long absence from the country with no trips is planned

Allow for the minimum annual visit requirement, or choose a category that does not require physical presence

What it costs

Government fee for filing the temporary residence applicationThe basic charge, paid when the documents are filed	50 USD
Additional charge on a change of status from non-resident to residentPaid into account 242480-0 at Banco de Costa Rica where the applicant previously held a different status	+200 USD
Minimum investment in property, a company or securitiesThe compulsory investment in the approved categories	150 000 USD
Minimum investment in forestry projectsA reduced threshold for certified reforestation projects	100 000 USD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Additional charge on a change of status from non-resident to resident” adds 200 USD; the “Minimum investment in forestry projects” branch replaces the “Minimum investment in property, a company or securities” line — 100 050 USD. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	150,050–150 250 USD

Paid separately

The cost of notarial services, translations and apostilling documents — Not fixed; they depend on the number of documents and local rates
Contributions to the compulsory social insurance system (CCSS) — Charged separately once status is granted; not part of the residence procedure
Bank and lawyer fees for structuring the investment — They depend on the chosen method of investment and are not regulated by the state

Documents to gather

Documents must be legalised or bear an apostille if issued abroad. Documents not in Spanish require official translation.

A valid passport with copies of the pages
A birth certificate, legalised or apostilled
A criminal record certificate (for all applicants above a certain age)
A marriage or civil partnership certificate (for the spouse, if included)
Apostilled birth certificates of dependent children
A medical report on incapacity for work (for adult children with a disability)
Documents evidencing the qualifying investment and its lawful origin
A certificate from a public accountant verifying the investment
An extract from the land registry or a certificate of registration of the property
An extract from the shareholders' register or a share purchase agreement
A certificate from a licensed broker (for investments in securities)
A certificate of registration with the social insurance authorities (after the residence permit is granted)

How the process runs

The process may take several months and involves gathering documents, filing the application, verification of the information and issue of the permit.

1
Preparing and gathering the required documentation
1–2 months
The applicant gathers all the documents, including evidence of the investment, criminal record certificates and family members' certificates. Documents not in Spanish are translated and legalised. Consulting an immigration lawyer to check that the pack is complete is recommended.
2
Filing the application with the immigration department
1 day
The applicant (or their representative) files the documents with the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) in San José. Attendance in person is required at the initial filing. The government fee is paid in the prescribed amount (and the additional charge where required).
3
Initial check against the qualifying criteria
2–4 weeks
The immigration department checks that all the documents are present and that the investment meets the minimum requirements. Where there are deficiencies, further material is requested. The applicant may receive the request through the DIMEX electronic system or by telephone.
4
Detailed verification of the investment and the origin of the funds
2–3 months
The financial authorities and registries verify that the investment has actually been made, that the money is of lawful origin and that the property is correctly registered. Further information may be required from banks or third parties.
5
Approval and issue of the temporary residence permit
2–4 weeks
The immigration department takes the final decision. On approval the applicant is notified and invited to collect the DIMEX card. The procedure involves registering biometric data, paying the contribution to the social insurance system and activating the residence card.
6
Registering with the compulsory social insurance system
up to 30 days
The resident and their family members register with CCSS (Caja de Seguro Social) to gain access to medical services and social benefits. This is a condition of keeping the status and is usually completed within a month of the residence permit being issued.

Timelines and rights

Work

Temporary residents may engage only in the paid activity that the Directorate General has authorised.

Who you can bring with you

The investor's spouse, children and other family members may obtain dependant status within a single application or join later.

Spouse or civil partner

A marriage certificate or civil partnership document, legalised or apostilled, is required. Included in the investor's main application.

Dependent children below the age of majority

Apostilled birth certificates are required. They must be supported by the investor. They are included in the application or file a separate dependency application.

Adult children with a documented disability

A medical report on the limitation of their capacity for work is required. Age limits do not apply where there is a disability.

Unmarried children below the prescribed age who are supported by the investor

The age limit is set by the programme's rules. Proof of economic dependence is required (a certificate of university study or of having no income of one's own, for instance).

Renewal and the grace period

Temporary investor residence runs for the prescribed period (usually two years) and may be renewed for an equal term. Before each renewal the applicant must prove that the investment has been maintained continuously and in full since the residence permit was granted. No additional fee is charged for renewal, but proof of continued standing in the social insurance system and of the absence of long unlawful absences from the country is required.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After three consecutive years of temporary residence you may apply for permanent residence.

Frequently asked questions about Investor residence permit

What is the minimum investment for temporary investor residence?

The main minimum is the prescribed sum in US dollars in the recognised investment categories (property, operating companies, securities, projects). A reduced threshold applies to forestry projects. The money must be invested directly in Costa Rica and be of lawful origin.

Can I include my family in the investor residence application?

Yes, your spouse, minor children, adult children with a disability and unmarried children below the prescribed age who are supported by you may be included in the application as dependants. Appropriate documents must be provided for each (birth and marriage certificates, medical certificates where required).

Will I be able to work as an employee on investor residence?

No, temporary investor residence does not allow employment. You may own, manage and develop your own business or investments. If employment is required, you must apply for a work visa or a freelancer visa.

What is the route from temporary investor residence to permanent residence?

After three continuous years in temporary investor residence status (provided the investment is maintained and all requirements are met) you may apply for permanent residence. The further procedure involves evidencing continuity of residence and economic integration. Citizenship is possible after seven years of lawful residence.

Which types of investment are recognised for investor residence?

The programme recognises: property (registered in the investor's own name), operating companies with genuine business activity, securities through licensed brokers, projects of national interest designated by government decree, certified forestry plantations and sustainable tourism projects approved by the tourism agency.

How much time must be spent in Costa Rica each year to keep the residence permit?

A minimum presence in Costa Rica of at least one day a year is required to maintain resident status (where you do not live in the country full time). Absence for six months or more at a stretch is not permitted. These requirements are checked when the residence permit is renewed.

Other ways to move to Costa Rica

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Costa Rica.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.