Would You Like to Know Whether Your Investment Can Be Used to Apply for Residency?

At JAROS Costa Rica, we review the investment structure, registered ownership, documented value, municipal, accounting, and corporate records, and the circumstances of each family member before the application is filed.

Request an initial evaluation through WhatsApp:
+506 7182 8969 | +506 7235 5512

Quick Eligibility Guide

You may be eligible if:

• You have made, or are preparing to make, an investment that can be legally documented in Costa Rica.
• The documented value reaches the applicable current minimum.
• The investment structure is recognized under the applicable regulations.
• The applicant’s ownership and actual contribution can be established.
• The personal and investment documents meet the applicable validity, authentication, and translation requirements.
• The applicant and dependents meet the applicable immigration and security requirements.

Before purchasing property, transferring funds, or structuring a company, it is advisable to confirm that the transaction can be used for this immigration category.

Important Notice Concerning the USD 150,000 Amount

The reduction of the minimum investment to USD 150,000 was established by Law No. 9996 for the period provided by that law.

Law No. 9996 took effect on July 14, 2021 and established a five-year period for certain benefits.

For this reason, the minimum investment amount and the applicable legal regime should be verified again for applications filed after July 14, 2026, unless a subsequent amendment, extension, official interpretation, or new regulation provides otherwise.

The JAROS Costa Rica website should be updated after that date.

A specific investment amount should not be promised without first confirming the law in force when the application will be submitted.

Renewable Temporary Residency

The Investor category is granted as Temporary Residency for two years and may be renewed for equal periods.

For renewal, the applicant must prove that the investment has been maintained continuously and without interruption since the residency was approved.

After approval, the applicant must complete the immigration documentation process to obtain a DIMEX.

Failure to renew the DIMEX, loss of the investment, or an absence that affects immigration status may have consequences for the residency.

The Investment Must Have Been Completed

The category cannot be obtained solely by presenting:

• An investment plan.
• A purchase agreement or promise to purchase.
• A letter of intent.
• Proof that funds are available.

The applicant must establish that the investment has already been made and that the actual contribution reaches the applicable minimum amount.

A single investment may cover the full required amount.

Several permitted investment structures may also be combined, provided that each one is properly documented and the total reaches the required minimum.

Investment Through Real Estate

To use real estate as the qualifying investment, the applicant must appear as the registered owner of the property with the Costa Rican National Registry.

For this structure, property registered in the name of a legal entity is not accepted.

This means that property registered only in the name of a corporation cannot be used as the applicant’s direct real estate investment, even when the applicant is a shareholder of that corporation.

When the property is registered only in the spouse’s name, it should be determined whether the spouse must be the principal Investor applicant.

The review normally includes:

• The applicant’s registered ownership.
• Registration of the property with the National Registry.
• The value used by the municipality to calculate property taxes.
• Confirmation that municipal taxes are current.
• Consistency among the registry, municipal, and personal information.

A municipal certificate issued within the previous three months must be provided.

The certificate should state:

• The municipal tax value of the property.
• That municipal obligations are current.
• The information necessary to identify the property correctly.

For this structure, the regulations do not allow registry and municipal information to be replaced with a notarial or accounting certificate that simply assigns a different value to the property.

Property Purchased with Mortgage Financing

A property purchased with mortgage financing may be considered.

However, the foreign national must prove a down payment or actual capital contribution equal to at least the applicable minimum.

The equity invested in the property may also be combined with other permitted investment structures.

The total value of a financed property does not automatically equal the applicant’s personal investment.

Investment Through Registered Movable Property

The investment may also be made through movable property that is subject to formal registration.

This may include certain vehicles, vessels, or other registered property.

The applicant must:

• Appear as the registered owner.
• Establish the actual tax value of the property.
• Prove payment of the applicable registration fees, taxes, or charges.
• Establish that the individual or combined value reaches the required minimum.

As with real estate, property used under this structure should not be registered in the name of a legal entity.

Investment Through Company Shares

The investment may be established through shares or ownership interests in one or more commercial companies conducting genuine economic activity in Costa Rica.

Unlike direct real estate investment, this option may use a corporate structure.

However, the applicant must establish:

• The existence and current legal standing of the company.
• The economic activity conducted in Costa Rica.
• The applicant’s genuine status as shareholder or member.
• The capital actually contributed by the foreign national.
• That the individual or combined contribution reaches the minimum amount.

The notarial certificate of legal standing and share capital must be based on the company’s legal books and issued within the applicable validity period.

A certification from a Costa Rican Certified Public Accountant is also required to establish the actual value of the investment.

This structure is not accepted through an inactive company that does not conduct economic activity in Costa Rica.

Securities and Venture Capital Funds

Investments in securities or venture capital funds administered by entities authorized and registered with the General Superintendency of Securities may also qualify.

These structures require accounting and financial certifications proving:

• The actual contribution.
• The managing entity.
• Ownership of the investment.
• The relevant amount.
• Continued validity of the investment.

When the investment is made through a company, the foreign national’s participation and actual contribution must be established.

Productive Projects and Projects of National Interest

Investments in productive projects require documentary support from the government institution connected with the corresponding economic sector.

The institution must certify that the foreign national made the minimum investment in one or more projects classified as productive.

For a project of national interest, the executive decree containing the public-interest declaration and its period of validity must be identified.

Forestry plantations and reforestation projects require certification from the competent environmental authority and compliance with the applicable specific conditions.

Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure Projects

This structure requires a favorable technical opinion from the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

The project must correspond to a tourism company or activity recognized by the applicable regulations.

It must also involve the provision of services and the construction or development of infrastructure.

The application may require:

• An investment plan.
• A construction schedule.
• A description of the project.
• Environmental sustainability commitments.
• Social and economic sustainability commitments.
• Other technical documents requested by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

The project structure should be reviewed before the application is filed because immigration approval also depends on the ICT technical opinion.

Investment Through a Trust

When the investment is made through a trust, only the settlor may apply under the Investor category because the settlor is the person who actually contributes the investment.

Being only the trustee or beneficiary does not replace the requirement to prove that the applicant made the investment.

Obligation to Maintain the Investment

The investment must be maintained continuously and without interruption from the date the residency is approved.

Before:

• Selling the investment.
• Transferring it.
• Reducing it.
• Replacing it.
• Modifying its structure.

It is advisable to review the immigration consequences in advance.

The sale of property, reduction of share capital, or loss of the minimum investment value may affect renewal.

The investment should not be dismantled before Permanent Residency is approved without prior legal review.

Subsequent Change to Permanent Residency

After maintaining Temporary Residency for three consecutive years, the person may apply to change to Permanent Residency.

The change is not automatic.

Before filing the application, the following should be reviewed:

• Continuity of residency.
• Completed renewals.
• Time spent outside Costa Rica.
• CCSS enrollment.
• Continued existence of the investment.
• The particular circumstances of the immigration file.

The investment should be maintained while the applicant holds the temporary category and until the change to Permanent Residency has been approved.

Permanent Residency provides broader authorization to perform paid or profit-making activities, subject to professional, labor, commercial, and tax regulations.

Including Dependent Family Members

The principal Investor applicant may request residency for:

• A spouse.
• Minor children.
• Adult children with a duly established disability.
• Unmarried children under 25 who are studying and financially dependent on the applicant.

Each dependent must submit the applicable personal requirements.

For unmarried children under 25, the following must be established:

• Marital status.
• Continued enrollment in studies.
• Financial dependency.

Adult children with a disability require:

• A medical opinion.
• The applicable legal documentation.
• Proof of dependency on third parties, when applicable.

Approval of the principal applicant does not replace the individual review of each dependent.

Employment, Business Management, and Income

The current regulations impose a restricted condition on the Investor and dependents.

Under this category, they may not perform paid manual or intellectual work without the corresponding authorization.

The residency allows a person to:

• Invest.
• Acquire assets.
• Own a company or shares.
• Receive profits.
• Receive dividends derived from the investment.

Ownership of a business should not be confused with authorization to work actively in its operations.

Before:

• Performing operational duties.
• Directly managing the business.
• Providing services.
• Receiving a salary.
• Receiving professional fees.
• Working independently.

Another authorization or immigration category should be evaluated.

Enrollment with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund

After approval and before immigration documentation is completed, the Investor and dependents must enroll with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, known as the CCSS.

Enrollment must remain active and current for renewal of the residency and DIMEX.

When the person is registered as an employer, employer social-security obligations must also be current.

The monthly contribution depends on the person’s:

• Financial circumstances.
• Employment circumstances.
• Family circumstances.

Tax Obligations

When the person is registered with the Costa Rican Tax Administration, national taxes must be current.

The person must also comply, when applicable, with the Solidarity Tax for the Strengthening of Housing Programs.

The qualifying immigration investment, tax residency, and tax obligations are separate legal concepts.

Income generated in Costa Rica, companies, property, and investment gains may create tax obligations.

Independent tax advice is recommended before structuring or modifying an investment.

Initial Payments and Requirements

In general, the initial application may include:

• A signed or authenticated legal-residency application identifying the type of investment.
• Proof of the USD 50 government application payment.
• Proof of the applicable USD 200 government payment.
• An apostilled or legalized birth certificate.
• One recent passport-size photograph.
• An apostilled or legalized criminal background certificate.
• Proof of lawful stay in a third country when the background certificate comes from the country where the applicant legally resided during the previous three years.
• A certified or officially compared copy of the valid passport biographical page.
• The specific documents proving the investment.
• Official Spanish translations of documents issued in another language.
• The dependents’ personal documents, when applicable.

When the person is registered as an employer with the CCSS or as a taxpayer, Immigration will verify that the person is current.

Requirements may vary according to the investment structure and the applicant’s personal circumstances.

Documentation After Approval

After residency is approved, the Investor and each dependent must complete the immigration documentation process.

The process may require:

• The amount stated in the approval decision.
• USD 30 for the application for the immigration document.
• USD 30 for issuance of the document.
• The annual USD 25 contribution to the Social Migration Fund.
• The guarantee deposit stated in the decision.
• Active and current CCSS enrollment.
• Tax compliance when applicable.
• A passport or another photographic identity document.

Amounts, bank accounts, appointments, and procedures should be verified before payments are made.

Administrative Decision Period

The general regulations establish a maximum period of three months to decide a complete application.

The period begins when Immigration has all required documents and information.

An incomplete application, inconsistencies, or additional verification may extend actual processing.

Digital applications may receive preferential processing when the corresponding platform is available.

Physical filing does not guarantee preferential treatment.

Tax Incentives Under Law No. 9996

Law No. 9996 created certain incentives for Investors, Pensionados, and Rentistas.

These include:

• A one-time exemption for importing household goods, subject to the legal conditions.
• The possibility of importing up to two vehicles for personal or family use under the statutory exemptions.
• Income-tax exemption for the amounts declared as qualifying income for the benefits.
• A reduction of up to 20 percent of the transfer tax on certain real estate acquired during the statutory period.
• Import-tax exemption for certain professional or scientific instruments and materials.

These incentives are not granted automatically with the residency.

They require:

• Separate procedures.
• Tax compliance.
• Compliance with social-security obligations.
• Authorization from the Ministry of Finance.

The law limits the period for requesting the incentives to the first five years of its validity.

Under the legal text in force as of June 14, 2026, that period is scheduled to end on July 14, 2026, unless a later amendment extends or changes it.

People who obtained the incentives within the statutory period may maintain them for the period established by law, subject to continued compliance with their conditions.

Issues That May Delay or Affect the Application

Potential difficulties include:

• An investment that has not been completed.
• Capital below the applicable current minimum.
• Real estate or registered property held in a company’s name.
• An expired municipal certificate.
• A municipal certificate showing a value below the minimum.
• Mortgage financing without proof of the actual equity contributed.
• An inactive company used to establish a share investment.
• Expired or incomplete notarial or accounting certificates.
• Inconsistencies among registry, municipal, accounting, and personal records.
• Foreign documents without apostille, legalization, or official translation.
• Failure to maintain the investment during Temporary Residency.
• Performing paid work without authorization.
• Noncompliance with CCSS obligations.
• Noncompliance with tax obligations.

Every application should be structured according to the actual investment and the available documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply by Simply Showing USD 150,000 in a Bank Account?

No.

A completed investment in an accepted legal structure must be established.

Can the Property Be Held by a Corporation?

Not for direct real estate investment.

The property must be registered in the applicant’s name.

Shares in an active company constitute a separate investment structure.

Can Mortgaged Property Be Used?

Yes.

However, the applicant must prove that the actual equity invested reaches the required minimum or is combined with other authorized investments.

Can I Combine Several Investments?

Yes.

Permitted structures may be combined when each investment is properly documented and the combined total reaches the required amount.

May I Work with This Residency?

Not under the restricted Investor condition.

The resident may own investments and receive profits or dividends.

Paid work requires another immigration authorization.

When May I Apply for Permanent Residency?

After three consecutive years of Temporary Residency through a separate application.

Must I Maintain the Investment After Filing?

Yes.

The investment must be maintained continuously and without interruption during Temporary Residency and must be proven for renewal.

Will the USD 150,000 Amount Continue After July 14, 2026?

It must be verified again.

The current amount arises from the temporary legal regime established by Law No. 9996 and may require an amendment, extension, new regulation, or official interpretation to continue after that date.

Let Us Review the Investment Before You Commit Your Funds

Immigration planning should begin before purchasing, transferring, or structuring the investment.

At JAROS Costa Rica, we can assist you with:

• An initial eligibility evaluation.
• Review of the investment structure and value.
• Verification of registered ownership.
• Review of the municipal certificate.
• Analysis of financed property.
• Review of investments through shares or companies.
• Coordination of notarial and accounting certifications.
• Review of productive projects, securities, funds, or trusts.
• Evaluation of dependent family documents.
• Review of apostilles, legalizations, and translations.
• Preparation, organization, and filing of the application.
• Case follow-up.
• Responses to formal requests for additional information.
• Guidance concerning CCSS enrollment.
• Coordination of documentation and DIMEX issuance.
• Preparation of renewals.
• Preparation of the subsequent change to Permanent Residency.
• Coordination with tax specialists when appropriate.

Request an Initial Evaluation of Your Case

If you are considering making an investment in Costa Rica to apply for residency, our team can review the structure and documentation before you commit your funds.

JAROS Costa Rica – Immigration Experts

WhatsApp: +506 7182 8969 | +506 7235 5512
Email: info@jaroscr.com
Website: www.jaroscr.com

The information on this page is general in nature and does not replace an individual legal, financial, or tax evaluation. Amounts, requirements, forms, incentives, payment accounts, and procedures may be modified by the competent authorities.