COSTA RICA IMMIGRATION & MOVING EXPERTS
Pensionado Status
Canadian Applicants
The Documentation that is Required for Pensionado Status is As Follows:
1. Passport:
a. For all persons listed on application.
b. Valid for a minimum of 6 months from the time of application.
2. Birth Certificate:
a. Request certified copy from the Canadian Department of Vital Statistics
specific to the Province in which you were born. See links below. .
3. Canadians must contact the RCMP and obtain a
"Criminal Record Check."
Here's their link: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/contact-canadian-criminal-real-time-identificatio.
4. Marriage Certificate: Same as #2 above.
5. Proof that applicant is entitled to a minimum of US$1,000.00 per month income in the form of a pension. If pension is not a government pension, the document must be Apostilled. Here's the link for more information on Apostilling of this document: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/step-etape-1.aspx?lang=eng#a1
6. Documents in #2, #3, #4 and #5 must be Apostilled (#5, only non-government pension).
Note: After the Pensionado has had their Pensionado Status for a period of 36 months, they may apply for Permanent Resident Status, which has no income requirements.
All of the above information, excluding passport, must have been obtained from original Province of issuance within 6 months from the time we submit application to Immigration here in Costa Rica.
Gather all of the required paperwork. You must contact the government agencies associated with the province in which you were born, were married, etc. Simply search online for those necessary websites and contact them directly for instructions.
Links to Order Copies of Certified Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, etc:
British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies
Newfoundland & Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/dgsnl/birth/birth-certificate/
Saskatchewan: https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/births
Prince Edward Island: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/birth-marriage-and-death-certificates
Link to Order RCMP Criminal Record Check / Fingerprints: https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/contact-canadian-criminal-real-time-identification
Link to Order Apostilling for All of Your Collected Documents: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/step-etape-1.aspx?lang=eng#a2
All Apostilled documents can be sent to Kevin McNamee at address below:
Kevin McNamee
P.O. Box 025331
SJO 250
Miami, FL 33102-5331
Regarding your fingerprint card:
Your fingerprint card will need to be sent physically to the RCMP to be processed. The address is listed on their website noted above. This card cannot be uploaded and sent electronically. We can accommodate you regarding this matter. If you are in Costa Rica, please get in touch with Kevin or David to arrange for an appointment for your fingerprinting.
Assistance:
The team at Costa Rica Immigration & Moving Experts will assist you with all of the acquisition of your paperwork required for one's legal status. This is a no-stress process!
