How to Get a Family Ties Permanent Residence Visa in Costa Rica

If you are interested in moving abroad to Costa Rica to live and work and hope to be able to gain permanent resident status you may be able to do so based on your family ties. Having family ties with a Costa Rican national is one of the ways that foreigners are able to be granted permanent residency in Costa Rica.

To qualify for a permanent residence visa under the category of 'family ties with a Costa Rican national' you will need to have a spouse, children, parent or sibling that is Costa Rican. After you have been granted the Costa Rican permanent residence visa you will have to visit Costa Rica at least once a year to keep it valid. With the permanent residence visa you are entitled to work as you choose in Costa Rica.

Note that by simply marrying a Costa Rican national you qualify for a residence permit and the permanent residence visa.

To apply for the permanent residence visa you will need to meet a number of requirements. You will need to prove that you have family ties to a Costa Rican national and have a copy of that person's ID card. You will need an application and special authority to representative. You will need a copy of your birth certificate and that of any dependants. You will also need photocopies of your passport and marriage certificate, if you are married. You will need to have proof of sufficient financial resources. You will need to have a police statement of good conduct. You will also need to be willing to submit to a background check by the Costa Rican Ministry of Security. You will need to have some passport size photos of yourself and your diplomas if you wish to be employed as a professional in Costa Rica. You may also need some additional items depending on your situation. It is best to check with the local embassy or consulate as to what items are currently needed.

Applications for permanent residency are governed by and ruled on by the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. However when you are ready to submit your application you will not take it to the Costa Rican Department of Immigration, instead you will submit your application to either the Costa Rican consulate or embassy in your home country.

Once you have had a permanent residence visa for two years you are eligible to apply for citizenship in Costa Rica. If you do apply for citizenship you will need to prove that you stayed in the country for those two years in order to qualify for citizenship.