Costa Rica offers a business-friendly landscape, a favorable tax regime, and a safe environment. For those who wish to reside in this Central American nation with a steadily growing upper-middle-income economy, the Costa Rica Residence by Investment Program is the most efficient way to acquire such status. Under this program, applicants can contribute to the country’s economy and become Costa Rican residents within nine to twelve months, with the possibility to acquire citizenship after seven years (or five years for Central American, Ibero-American, and Spanish citizens).

Benefits of Costa Rican residence by investment

• Business-friendly environment, with supportive business policies and a strategic location for trade
• Favorable tax regime
• Ability to include a spouse and children under the age of 18, as well as single, dependent adult children under 25
• Eligibility to apply for citizenship after five years of residence for Central American, Ibero-American, and Spanish citizens, and after seven years for other nationalities

Requirements of the Costa Rica Residence by Investment Program

To obtain residence in Costa Rica, applicants must have a clear criminal record and a valid entry visa.

Apply under one of the following categories:

1. Investor Residency category
   
   Applicants must invest USD 150,000 into one of the following options:
   
   
   • Real estate
   • Shares of an operational Costa Rican corporation
   • The Costa Rican stock market
2. Retired People category
   
   Applicants must receive a monthly lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000. The pension may be provided by a government or private entity.
3. Fixed-Income Residency category
   
   Applicants must receive a monthly income of at least USD 2,500 from abroad or in Costa Rica. The income must originate from their investments or business.

Procedures and time frame of Costa Rican residence by investment

After the necessary documents have been prepared, the application for residence is filed with the Immigration Department. Once the application has been approved and the requirements fulfilled, successful applicants must register for social security within 90 days.

Individuals are granted a temporary residence permit that is valid for two years and renewable for a further two years. To maintain residence status, residents must keep their investment or continue to receive a monthly pension or income (depending on the chosen program option), visit Costa Rica once a year (for at least one day), and maintain their social security registration.

The processing time is nine to twelve months.

Acquiring Costa Rican citizenship after the residence by investment program

Successful applicants are eligible to apply for citizenship after seven years of residence in Costa Rica. Citizens of Central America, Ibero-America, and Spain are eligible to apply after only five years of residence.