How to Get a Permanent Residence Visa in Costa Rica as an Investor

If you are interested in moving abroad to Costa Rica to live you may be able obtain permanent resident status by investing. There are two different permanent residence visas available to people that want to come to Costa Rica as an investor. There is the rentista visa, which is for investment income based residency, and there is the investor visa.

If you want to gain permanent residence under the investor visa you will need to invest at least $200,000 in Costa Rica to be eligible for permanent residency. However there are certain sectors where the investment minimum has been lowered to only $50,000. These sectors are ornamental plants, condiments, leather goods, processed foods, fruits and vegetables, tourism and wood products. If you are interested in investing in reforestation then the minimum investment is $100,000. More information on the sectors is available at the Costa Rican consulate or embassy. If you choose to come to Costa Rica on the investor visa then you are committing to live in Costa Rica for at least six months of the year. With this visa you are able to work and receive a salary in Costa Rica.

In order for you to qualify for a rentista permanent residence visa, or a rentista visa, under the category of 'investment income based residency' you will need to receive a minimum from investments abroad of $1000 per month. If this applies to you then you are able to apply for permanent residency. If you do not receive the minimum amount each month then you have another option. You can make a five year deposit of $75,000 with a Costa Rican bank and have a minimum income of $500 per month. If you apply for the rentista visa then you will be committing to live in Costa Rica for at least 4 months out of the year. While you will be allowed to invest in Costa Rica, you will not be able to take up employment unless it is for the Costa Rican government.

You will need to meet a number of requirements for the rentista visa. You will need a completed application form and special authority to representative. You will need a copy of your birth certificate and that of any dependants coming to Costa Rica with you. 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. 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. You may also need to have documentation that verifies you investment income and where they originate from since you have conditions to meet for that.

When you are ready to submit your application for the pensionado visa you can take it to the Costa Rican Department of Immigration or to either the Costa Rican consulate or embassy in your home country. When you turn in the application you are given a receipt that you should hold onto as it is proof of a pending application. If the application is approved you or your representative must go to the Department of Immigration to receive the statement of approval and to get your resident ID card.

Both investor visas will be valid for one year but can be renewed. To meet renewal requirements you will have to show investment income or proof of investment. You will also have to show that you spent the minimum amount of months in Costa Rica in the previous year. And you will need to submit to another background check.