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Entry and Residency Requirements
For U.S. citizens, a valid passport with a government issued picture
ID (driver’s license) is all that is required.
Upon entry, a 90-day tourist visa is issued. If you plan to stay beyond
the 90 days, you must leave the country for 72 hours and then re-enter,
or receive special permission prior to your original arrival.
Prospective residents are grouped into three categories: retirees
(pensionados), investors (rentistas) and large investors (inversionistas).
Pensionados must prove they receive $600 per month in pension funds
from outside Costa Rica. Rentistas must prove steady income of $1,000
a month for the next five years. Both must live in the country four
months of the year. Both may own and operate businesses, buy may not
work for salaries.
Inversionist status is available to foreigners who invest either $50,000
in strategic sectors of the economy, such as tourism and exports;
$100,000 in reforestation projects; or $200,000 in any other qualifying
business. They must also reside in Costa Rica at least six months
of the year.
After two years of meeting these requirements, temporary residents
may apply for permanent status. Those who marry Costa Ricans or have
Costa Rican child may also legally call the country home. |
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