Would You Like to Know Whether Your Income May Qualify for This Residency Category?

At JAROS Costa Rica, we review the source of the income, the banking or accounting documentation, its stability throughout the required 24-month period, foreign documents, and the circumstances of each family member before filing the application.

Request an initial evaluation via WhatsApp:

+506 7182 8969 | +506 7235 5512

Quick Guide to Potential Eligibility

You may be eligible if:

• You can demonstrate monthly income of at least USD 2,500 or its equivalent in Costa Rican colones.
• The income is stable and permanent and will continue for a minimum period of two years.
• The income comes from a genuine and verifiable economic source.
• The documentation was issued by a competent banking institution or can be certified by a Certified Public Accountant authorized in Costa Rica based on reliable supporting documents.
• Foreign documents comply with the applicable apostille or legalization and official translation requirements.
• The applicant and the applicant’s dependents meet the applicable personal, immigration, and security requirements.

Acceptance will depend on the content of the documents and the evaluation conducted by the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners.

The Primary Financial Requirement

The applicant must demonstrate that, for a period of no less than two years, the applicant will receive permanent and stable monthly income of at least USD 2,500, or its equivalent in Costa Rican colones based on the selling exchange rate established by the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

The certification must make it possible to verify:

• The beneficiary’s full name.
• The economic source of the income.
• The monthly amount.
• The stability and permanence of the income.
• That the income will continue for at least 24 months.
• The identity and contact information of the issuing institution or professional.
• The documents used to verify the income.

A general certification stating only that the person has sufficient funds may be inadequate.

What Is Considered Income?

The regulations define income as the profit or benefit generated by an asset, right, investment, or economic source.

Depending on the available documentation, income from the following sources may be evaluated:

• Rental income from properties.
• Investment returns or distributions.
• Trusts.
• Annuities that generate genuine income.
• Recurring contractual payments.
• Dividends or other recurring distributions.
• Other stable and verifiable economic sources.

Each source must be evaluated individually to determine whether it satisfies the monthly, permanent, and stable nature required by Immigration.

A Return of Your Own Capital Does Not Constitute Income

The current regulations expressly clarify that depositing money with a banking institution so that it can later be returned to the same person in monthly payments is not considered income.

For this reason, maintaining USD 60,000, USD 65,000, or USD 70,000 in an account and scheduling monthly withdrawals of your own capital does not, by itself, demonstrate qualifying income for this category.

The amount of USD 60,000 is merely the mathematical result of multiplying USD 2,500 by 24 months.

It is not a mandatory deposit and does not replace the need to prove genuine income.

Before structuring an account, annuity, or financial instrument, it must be determined whether it generates an actual profit or genuine income rather than merely returning the contributed capital.

Certification Issued by a Foreign Banking Institution

When the income originates abroad, it may be demonstrated through a document issued by a banking institution that is part of the banking system of the country where the income is generated.

The document should clearly state:

• The beneficiary’s full name and identification information.
• The source of the income.
• The monthly amount.
• That the income is stable and permanent.
• That it will continue for at least two years.
• Sufficient information to verify the institution and the certification.

The signature on the document must comply with the authentication formalities applicable in the country of issuance.

The document must be apostilled or legalized, as applicable.

When the document is written in another language, it must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation or another translation permitted by the regulations.

Certification by a Certified Public Accountant Authorized in Costa Rica

When the income is not certified directly by a banking institution, a certification issued by a Certified Public Accountant duly licensed in Costa Rica may be submitted.

The certification must be based on reliable documents from the country where the income is generated.

The professional must review sufficient evidence to determine:

• The source of the income.
• The monthly amount.
• The stability of the income.
• Its continuity throughout the required period.
• The authenticity and sufficiency of the supporting documents.

It is not advisable to request the accounting certification before confirming that the supporting documents satisfy the immigration requirements.

Renewable Temporary Residency

The Rentista category is granted as Temporary Residency.

The residency is generally documented and renewed in two-year periods.

After approval, the person must complete the documentation process to obtain the DIMEX, which is the official document proving the person’s immigration status in Costa Rica.

To maintain this category, the person must:

• Maintain the financial conditions under which the residency was approved.
• Comply with the corresponding immigration obligations.
• Keep the DIMEX valid.
• Maintain enrollment with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund.
• Comply with the requirements applicable to dependents.

Renewal of Rentista Residency

Renewal is required every two years and is not automatic.

For renewal, the regulations provide for:

• A bank certification demonstrating that the person continues to receive permanent and stable monthly income.
• When the funds originate abroad, a certification demonstrating that the corresponding amount was transferred monthly into Costa Rica through the national banking system.
• The applicable government payments.
• Continuous and current enrollment with the CCSS.
• Continued validity of the family relationship for dependents.
• Any other documents requested by Immigration.

The manner in which the income will be transferred and documented during the two-year period should be planned from the beginning, not only when the renewal date approaches.

Subsequent Change to Permanent Residency

After holding 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 the residency.
• Completed renewals.
• Immigration entry and exit records.
• Absences from Costa Rica.
• Validity of the DIMEX.
• Enrollment with the CCSS.
• The individual circumstances of each dependent.

Permanent Residency provides greater stability and allows paid or profit-making activities with greater freedom, subject to professional, employment, commercial, and tax regulations.

Inclusion of Dependent Family Members

The principal Rentista applicant may apply for residency for:

• A spouse.
• Children under 25 years of age.
• Children over 25 years of age who have a duly documented disability.

The minimum amount of USD 2,500 applies to the principal applicant and allows eligible dependents to be included without having to demonstrate the same additional amount for each family member.

Each dependent must submit the applicable personal requirements and documents proving the family relationship.

The following may be required to prove the family relationship:

• Marriage certificates.
• Birth certificates.
• Medical documents.
• Documents related to legal representation.
• Evidence of dependency, when applicable.

Differences in first names, surnames, dates of birth, or parentage information must be corrected or explained before the application is filed.

Employment, Businesses, and Investments

Temporary Residency as a Rentista does not automatically grant general authorization to work as an employee, provide paid services, or engage in self-employed profit-making activities.

A Rentista may:

• Purchase property.
• Make investments.
• Own a business.
• Be a shareholder in a corporation.
• Receive profits.
• Receive dividends from investments.

A distinction must be made between being an owner or investor and actively working in the business.

Before:

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

It must be determined whether the person has sufficient immigration authorization or should apply under another category.

Enrollment with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund

After approval, the principal holder and the holder’s dependents must enroll with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, known as the CCSS.

Enrollment must be maintained without interruption from the date legal residency is granted and will be verified at renewal.

The type and amount of the contribution depend on the person’s circumstances:

• Financial.
• Employment-related.
• Family-related.

Enrollment provides access to the public healthcare system in accordance with its rules, procedures, waiting lists, and institutional availability.

Payments and Documentation After Approval

Once the favorable decision has been officially notified, the person must complete the immigration documentation process within the applicable period.

The following may apply:

• The amount indicated in the approval decision.
• USD 30 for the application for the residency document.
• USD 30 for issuance of the document.
• The annual USD 25 contribution to the Social Migration Fund.
• The security deposit indicated in the decision.
• A valid passport in good condition.
• Active enrollment with the CCSS.

The person has 90 days from notification of approval to complete the documentation process.

If the process is not completed within that period, Immigration may begin proceedings to cancel the granted status.

Amounts, bank accounts, appointments, and procedures must be verified before making any payments.

General Requirements for Filing the Application

Requirements may vary according to nationality, the country where the documents were issued, the source of the income, and the composition of the family.

In general, the application file may include:

• An application for legal residency containing the applicant’s personal information, the request being made, address, and method for receiving notices.
• Signature of the application before an immigration official or authentication by an attorney.
• Proof of the initial USD 50 government payment.
• Applicable tax stamps.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• An apostilled or legalized birth certificate.
• An apostilled or legalized criminal background certificate.
• Proof of legal residency in a third country when the criminal background certificate is issued by the country where the person legally resided during the previous three years.
• Certified or officially compared copies of the passport pages containing the personal information.
• A certified or officially compared copy of the Costa Rican entry stamp.
• A copy of the visa when required based on nationality.
• A bank document or accounting certification demonstrating permanent and stable monthly income for at least two years.
• Official Spanish translations of documents issued in another language.
• A marriage certificate when including a spouse.
• Birth certificates when including children.
• Medical and legal documentation when including a person over 25 years of age with a disability.

Consular registration and the initial proof of fingerprinting were removed from the specific list of requirements through the 2022 regulatory amendments.

An application filed from within Costa Rica must be submitted while the person’s lawful entry and legal stay remain valid.

Foreign public documents must be apostilled or legalized, as applicable.

Administrative Processing Period

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

The period begins once Immigration has received all required documents.

When documents are missing, inconsistencies exist, or additional verification is required, the actual processing time may be longer.

Immigration may issue a formal request for:

• Missing documents.
• Clarifications.
• Corrections.
• Supplementary information.
• New certifications.

The regulatory processing period should not be presented as a guarantee that every case will be resolved within exactly that time.

Absences, Late Renewal, and Continuity of Residency

Temporary residencies must be renewed every two years.

Temporary Residency may be affected when a person remains outside Costa Rica for more than two consecutive years, unless a legally accepted exception can be demonstrated.

If the DIMEX is not renewed within three months after its expiration date, the immigration status may be subject to cancellation unless duly documented reasons exist.

Extended absences, irregular immigration records, and late renewals should be evaluated before filing:

• A renewal.
• A change of category.
• An application for Permanent Residency.

Tax Benefits Under Law No. 9996

Law No. 9996 created certain incentives for investors, pensioners, and Rentistas.

These include:

• A one-time exemption for importing household goods, subject to the applicable legal conditions.
• The possibility of importing up to two vehicles for personal or family use with the exemptions provided by law.
• An income tax exemption for the amounts declared as income in order to qualify for the benefits.
• A reduction of up to 20% in the property transfer tax on certain real estate acquired while the incentive program is in effect.

These benefits are not granted automatically upon approval of the residency.

They require:

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

The law provides that these incentives may be requested only during the first five years in which the law is in effect.

According to the text in effect as of June 14, 2026, that window is scheduled to remain open until July 14, 2026, unless a subsequent amendment changes or extends the deadline.

The website must be updated after that date.

The incentives should not be promised without first confirming that they remain in effect.

Immigration Residency and Tax Status

Immigration residency and tax residency are separate concepts.

Approval as a Rentista does not automatically make the person a tax resident of Costa Rica.

The following matters should be evaluated individually:

• Foreign income used to qualify for the category.
• Costa Rican-source income.
• Properties.
• Corporations.
• Investments.
• Physical presence in Costa Rica.
• Existing tax obligations in other countries.

Independent tax advice is recommended before transferring assets, forming corporations, purchasing property, or engaging in economic activities in Costa Rica.

Situations That May Cause Delays or Affect the Application

Situations that may create difficulties include:

• A certification that does not clearly identify the source of the income.
• Income below USD 2,500 per month.
• Income that cannot be documented for 24 months.
• A bank letter that shows only an account balance.
• Attempting to treat the return of one’s own capital as income.
• Foreign documents without an apostille, legalization, or official translation.
• Accounting certifications without sufficient supporting documentation.
• Criminal background certificates issued by an authority with insufficient territorial jurisdiction.
• Differences among names, dates of birth, passport information, and certificates.
• An expired or damaged passport.
• Irregular entry into or stay in Costa Rica.
• Failure to maintain the transfers and documentation required for renewal.
• Failure to complete enrollment with the CCSS.
• Performing paid activities without authorization.

Each application file must be structured according to the actual source of the income and the available documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I Deposit USD 60,000 in a Costa Rican Bank?

No.

The current regulations do not establish a mandatory USD 60,000 deposit.

In addition, the monthly return of a person’s own capital is not considered income.

Can I Use USD 60,000 Deposited in a Foreign Bank?

Simply depositing and scheduling withdrawals of the same capital is not sufficient by itself.

There must be genuine, stable, and permanent income that can be demonstrated for 24 months.

Is a Bank Balance Certification Sufficient?

Not necessarily.

It must explain:

• The source of the income.
• The monthly amount.
• The stability of the income.
• Its continuity for two years.
• The documents used to verify the income.

Can I Include My Spouse and Children?

Yes.

The following may be included:

• A spouse.
• Children under 25 years of age.
• Children over 25 years of age with a duly documented disability.

Each family member must satisfy the applicable personal requirements and prove the corresponding family relationship.

Can I Work with This Residency?

This category does not grant general authorization to work.

Paid or profit-making activities require sufficient immigration authorization.

When Can I Apply for Permanent Residency?

After maintaining Temporary Residency for three consecutive years, through a separate application.

Must I Prove Transfers to Costa Rica for Renewal?

Yes.

When the funds originate abroad, the renewal regulations require proof that the corresponding amount entered the national banking system each month.

Allow Us to Review the Source of the Income Before You Request Documents

Planning should begin with an evaluation of the economic source and the documents that can genuinely prove it.

At JAROS Costa Rica, we can assist you with:

• An initial eligibility evaluation.
• Analysis of the source of the income.
• Review of banking and financial documents.
• Coordination of a certification by a Certified Public Accountant.
• Preliminary review of foreign letters and certifications.
• Review of dependents’ documents.
• Review of apostilles, legalizations, and translations.
• Preparation and organization of the documents.
• Filing of the immigration application.
• Follow-up on the application file.
• Responses to requests for additional information or correction.
• Guidance regarding enrollment with the CCSS.
• Coordination of the documentation process and issuance of the DIMEX.
• Planning of transfers and documentation for renewal.
• Preparation of future renewals.
• Preparation of the subsequent change to Permanent Residency.
• Coordination with tax professionals when appropriate.

Request an Initial Evaluation of Your Case

If you receive genuine, stable, and verifiable income of at least USD 2,500 per month from abroad, our team can review your documentation before you request apostilles, legalizations, or translations.

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. Requirements, forms, incentives, payments, bank accounts, and procedures may be modified by the competent authorities.