COSTA RICA IMMIGRATION & MOVING EXPERTS
Timeline for Individuals / Families
Considering Making the Move to
Costa Rica
Sometime in the Near Future
Step 1: Prospects gather their paperwork required from their home country. We assist the client in the gathering of paperwork.
Step 2: Prospect comes to Costa Rica where we meet and review paperwork presented and then meet with lawyer. Legal paperwork required from local sources created and steps taken to open file on behalf of prospect(s) at Immigration. With proof of application, appointment made to finalize balance of paperwork.
Step 3: All paperwork submitted by Costa Rica Immigration & Moving Experts. Immigration process starts. Applicant is legally able to remain in Costa Rica.
Step 4: During the first three months of the application process, Immigration reviews the contents. The following three month, Immigration will make the decision to approve or disapprove.
Step 5: Prospect completes the final step of application process by joining compulsory medical program. Security deposit and Dimex fee
deposited with Immigration. Appointment made for you to pick up your cedula, also known as, "Dimex card."
Step 6: Renewal time at end of 24 months
(operative word, "renewal," and not, "reapplying").
Step 7: Obligation to be in Costa Rica a minimum of 1 time every
12 months. Most people make their visit near renewal time.
Step 8: Very Important / Upon having your cedula (Step 5) for a total of 36 months, you can request for and expect to receive a change from "temporary" to "permanent" status. With this change, you are legally able to work here in Costa Rica. You can compete in the local work force against a natural-born Costa Rican or a fellow expat who has already received permanent status.
Step 9: Based on the above scenario, a person considering early retirement from their home country, but wanting/needing to supplement their finances, would have the legal right to work here,
own a business, run that business, draw a salary, etc.
Pros to Applying Early:
-Ability to work sooner upon arrival.
-Cedula with permanent status in your possession, which assists with legal and commercial transactions,
-Have immediate medical coverage, called the "CAJA", from the time Step #5 is completed. You are covered for pre-existing and future medical conditions.
-From the time of Step 3, any changes regarding requirements by Immigration would not be applicable to you unless
changes are in your favor.
Cons to Applying Early:
-You are responsible for payments into the CAJA. Payments vary based on reported income. CAJA remains a very good back-up medical
program to your existing home-country medical policy/program.
Pensionado Rentista Resident Investor
1) Financial Requirements:
US$1,000/month
guaranteed for life
2) Length:
Temporary Temporary Temporary
3) Renewable At:
24 months 24 months 24 months
4) Can Work in Costa Rica:
No No Yes, with exceptions
5) Includes Immediate
Family Members:
Yes Yes Yes
6) Paperwork Require from
Home Country:
Yes Yes Yes
7) Paperwork Required from
Costa Rica:
Yes Yes Yes
8) Government Medical Required:
Yes Yes Yes
9) Costs to Acquire Status:
Based on number of applicants Based on number of applicants Based on number of applicants
on application on application on application
10) Time Required from
Start of Application:
Typically 6 months Typically 6 months Typically 6 months
11) Enjoy Benefits of Status:
Upon acceptance of application Upon acceptance Upon acceptance
of application of application
US$2,500/month
for 24 months
US$150,000
1-time investment
Contact Us Right Now to Have All of Your Questions Answered & All of Your Concerns Addressed About the Residency / Legal Status Process. .
We Pride Ourselves in Having Up-to-date Information Regarding the Immigration Laws & Regulations of Costa Rica. .
We Will Provide to You & Your Family a Plan of Action, Firm & Competitive Pricing, Swift Communication with You At All Times & Total Transparency When You Become One of Our Clients. .
We Have Assisted Hundreds of Individuals & Families with Their Move to Costa Rica for Many Years. .