COSTA RICA IMMIGRATION & MOVING EXPERTS
Pensionado Status
United States Applicants
The Documentation that is Required for Pensionado Status is as follows:
(please attach your name and contact number
to each document sent to any government or private agency for easy identification)
1. Passport (no additional requirements):
a. For all persons listed on application.
b. We suggest that your passport be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the time of application.
2. Birth Certificate (must be apostilled):
a. Request certified, long-form copy from your state of birth at their Department of Health or order through VitalChek on their website at: www.vitalchek.com.
3. Marriage Certificate (must be apostilled):
a. Request certified copy from the state where you were married or through VitalChek on their website at: www.vitalchek.com.
4. Proof that applicant is entitled to a minimum of US$1,000.00 per month income
either in the form of a private pension guaranteed for life (must be apostilled)
Government pension or Social Security (may have to be apostilled):
The Federal Benefit Unit at the U.S. Embassy said it has simplified the process for verifying Social Security and other government benefits for Costa Rican immigration purposes. The government will accept email requests and make a follow up telephone call to confirm the requestor’s identity. The embassy said that the document commonly is called a "proof of income letter", a "budget letter", a "benefits letter" or a "proof of award letter."
The letter is an official report on money an expat might be getting from the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Veteran's Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board or the Office of Personnel Management/Civil Service Retirement.
The email document is being accepted by the
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjeria.
The Embassy advises that the applicant is to follow these steps:
a.) Request a "benefit-verification letter," free of charge, by filling out a form using this link: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/proof-of-benefits.html
b.) Within five working days, a representative from the Federal Benefit Unit will contact you to verify your identity and get your permission to email the letter verifying the benefit amount.
c.) Requestors should print the letter and provide it to Costa Rica Immigration & Moving Experts along with other documents described on our company's website.
This specific letter from the Embassy does not need to be apostilled.
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 documentation other than your passport must have been issued within 6 months of the time we submit application to Immigration here in Costa Rica.
All documentation other than your passport, must also be apostilled by the
state’s Secretary of State in which the documents were originally issued.
5. American Citizens must contact the FBI and obtain a "Identity History Summary"
or commonly known as a "FBI Background Check."
The following steps must be taken to obtain this letter:
a. Complete the Applicant Information Form found at:
There's a lot of information on this website, but it's very easy to navigate.
b. A payment of US$18.00 is required and this can all be done online.
For those clients who require assistance regarding their FBI report, we suggest
contacting one of our team members, William Licht at the phone number below.
When you receive your FBI-Background-Check via email, forward your document(s) via email to William Edward Licht, Apostille Services. He, in turn will prepare the documents and have the documents Apostilled, then will send them directly to Costa Rica Immigration and Moving Experts in Costa Rica on your behalf.
William Edward Licht, Apostille Services
7340 Stirling Road #201
Hollywood, Florida 33024-1668
Phone: 754-423-8823
Regarding your fingerprint card:
Your fingerprint card will need to be sent physically to the FBI 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!
