Permanent residency for Costa Rica

A person can apply for permanent residency of Costa Rica after three years as a temporary residency of Costa Rica.

OR with a first-degree relative status to a Costa Rican Citizen (having a Costa Rican child or Costa Rican parents — even though Costa Rican parents may qualify you to apply for citizenship of Costa Rica.)

• Is allowed to claim spouse and dependents under 18 years of age.
• Is able to work.
• Is able to have a company and receive income.

Business Investor residency for Costa Rica

For business investor residency to Costa Rica you need to invest at least $200,000 in Costa Rican asset class defined as a tangible property, negotiable instruments, shares of Costa Rica or projects in Costa Rica.

Options to qualify for business investor residency of Costa Rica:

• For a person to qualify as a business investor visa of Costa Rica has to own real estate through his or her company registered in Costa Rica. Residential real estate is usually preferred asset class. But there is a small catch here, if the asset value is less than $200,000 then it can be clubbed with other asset classes to apply for business investor residence of Costa Rica.
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Second option to apply for business investor residency for Costa Rica is to own $200,000 worth of the shares of a company duly registered in Costa Rica.

Citizenship for Costa Rica:

CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH for Costa Rica

People, who born in Costa Rica acquire citizenship of Costa Rica at birth.

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT for Costa Rica

People with at least one parent being Costa Rican, regardless of place of birth, should acquire citizenship for Costa Rica.

CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION for Costa Rica

The following requirements may apply for citizenship by naturalization:

• age 18 or older;
• at least 7 years of residence (this number is reduced to 2 years for people who are married to a Costa Rican citizen) (5 years if you are from Spain or certain Latin American countries);
• proof of residence for citizenship of Costa Rica;
• clean criminal record history;
• Approved professional career or income;
• ability to speak, read and write in Spanish for citizenship of Costa Rica;
• understanding of the Costa Rican history and values through an Education Ministry exam or validated proof of education in Costa Rica;
• 2 people that can witness to your conduct and livelihood.

CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE

If married to a Costa Rican spouse a person may apply for naturalization after 2 years of residence.

Naturalization by marriage applicants does not require to demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish language or history of Costa Rica.

Work Permit for Costa Rica

In case of applying for a Work Permit of Costa Rica, you must be a resident in Costa Rica so it is recommended to make the needed procedures to apply for a temporary residency of Costa Rica as soon as possible.

In order to apply for work permit for Costa Rica the following documents have to be submitted:

• Application Form for work permit of Costa Rica.
• A letter which states the reason for your application for the work permit in Costa Rica which you also indicate your full name, age, occupation, nationality, current address, and place.
• Receipt for the payment for the work permit application of Costa Rica. The applicant must make a payment for it and include his/her name.
• 2 passport size photographs
• Receipt of fingerprint registration issued by the Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica.
• Receipt of consular inscription
• Birth Certificate
• Criminal Record from your native country or the place where you have been residing for the past three years. A copy of the migration document to prove that you were a legal citizen of said country.
• Certified copies of the passport’s every page.
• Statement of Employer`s Company. This statement should indicate what functions will be undertaken by the applicant, the length of the contract and the salary for duration of work permit in Costa Rica.
• The companies Legal Constitution and Registration Documents.
• Costa Rican Social Security Institution’s Certification. This statement proves that the company or the employer is registered and does not have any outstanding monetary obligations.
• A document proving the existence of income, balance and result situation announced by an Authorized Public Accountant.
• A Statement of Insurance Company which should show that the insurance for the worker who has applied for work permit for Costa Rica is duely paid.

Visa for Costa Rica

There are four different groups of international countries that have four various visa conditions for visa of Costa Rica for their citizens to either enter, visit or stay in Costa Rica.

Citizens of the first and second group of countries are not required to hold a Costa Rica visa. They can get a visa on arrival for Costa Rica and obtain a stamp on their passport at the entry.

Citizens of the third and fourth groups of countries are required to have a restricted Costa Rica Visa which must be applied for in advance of a minimum 90 days before expected travel.

US nationals do not have to own an entry visa to Costa Rica. All they must have is a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. US passport must be valid for at least one day from the day of the entrance to Costa Rica. As a tourist, US nationals cannot stay for more than 90 days. A residence permit of Costa Rica must be established for a stay which is longer than 90 days in case of longer stay in Costa Rica.

The followings are the most common visa options:

Pensionado Program:

This must introduce a proof about your monthly income which must be at least $1,000 a month from a life-long pension from any source recognized as a major entity.

The Rentista Program

For persons who have no fixed retirement income. You need a proof of $2,500 income in a month for two years and more or a $60,000 deposit in a bank located in Costa Rica and which is approved by immigration authorities.

Planning to Setup business in Costa Rica or Start Business in Costa Rica?

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Taxes In Costa Rica

Income tax in Costa Rica

Income tax is levied will when you have a job or business (including a vacation rental) in Costa Rica. Both employment source income and non-employment source income are a tax levied. Every individual employed in Costa Rica must pay a monthly termination tax that is based on the salary. From employment income (on a monthly basis) of individuals is stored a tax of up to 15%.

Property transfer tax in Costa Rica

1.5% of the property transfer tax shall be paid on the value of the real estate acquired by the buyer. This tax is due to the transfer of property.

Sales Tax in Costa Rica

Sales tax (VAT equivalent) is 13% and is charged both at the point of purchase and at the point of sale (if sales are not exported). It is charged on all products except foodstuffs, medicines and some other items.

Business Establishment in Costa Rica

Depending on the type of business, you may also need other licenses or patents. For example, if you plan to run a cafe or spa, you will need to get a health permit from the Minister of Health.

You can even set up a business on a 90-day tourist visa, although the Costa Rican Code of Commerce stipulates that “foreigners will be allowed to conduct business once they have obtained a residency status for more than ten years,” it is commonplace for foreigners to start a business in the country without being a resident, simply by incorporating a Costa Rican company.

You’ll need to open a Costa Rican bank account. Citibank and HSBC are two such banks that operate in Costa Rica and usually have staff who speak English. But, be aware that they don’t have as many ATMs as the local banks.

You will also need to register your corporation before the tax authority, acquire insurance for employees, register the corporation with the CCSS (Costa Rican Social Security Fund), and apply for any other necessary permits, including a zoning permit, called a Certificado de Uso de Suelo, which allows you to run your business in your chosen location.

You’ll then need to get a business license, called a Patent Commercial, which details the nature of the business. Once you have finished this process and have formed your corporation, you will need a Patent Municipal for each branch or office location.

Disclaimer for Immigration, Costa Rica

We DO NOT provide consultancy for illegal immigration to Costa Rica and do not promote illegal immigration for Costa Rica, including, illegal residency for Costa Rica or illegal work permit for Costa Rica. Also, we do not entertain agents for illegal immigration for Costa Rica.

Information provided on https://www.millionmakers.com regarding Costa Rica cannot be taken as legal advice in any way, please consult immigration lawyer in Costa Rica for expert legal advice for Costa Rica.

We don’t support or provide any of our services to below mentioned Individuals or category(s) of business in Costa Rica for immigration:

• Any device for Costa Rica that might result in abuse of human rights in Costa Rica or be utilized for torture in Costa Rica.
• Trade in Costa Rica, distribution in Costa Rica and/or manufacturing of arms in Costa Rica, weapons in Costa Rica, ammunition in Costa Rica, mercenary or contract soldiering in Costa Rica.
• Espionage in Costa Rica or technical surveillance in Costa Rica or bugging instrumentation or equipment in Costa Rica.
• Any illegal activities in Costa Rica or criminal activities in Costa Rica or company(s) or individual(s) that are black listed in Costa Rica under The Law of Costa Rica.
• Genetic material in Costa Rica.
• Hazardous or Dangerous or risky biological, chemical or nuclear materials which also includes, instrumentation or machinery accustomed for disposing or manufacturing or handling of any such material(s).
• Trading in Costa Rica, storage in Costa Rica or transportation of Human or animal organ(s) in Costa Rica, use of animals in Costa Rica or abuse of animals in Costa Rica for any scientific or product testing.
• Adoption agencies in Costa Rica, as well as, surrogate parenting procedures in Costa Rica or any kind of abuse of human rights in Costa Rica.
• Non-secular cults in Costa Rica and their charities.
• Pornography in Costa Rica.
• Drug paraphernalia in Costa Rica.
• Pyramid sales in Costa Rica.