Would You Like to Know Whether This Category Applies to You?

At JAROS Costa Rica, we review the pension certificate, the nature of the benefit, the issuing authority, foreign documents, and the circumstances of each family member before beginning the process.

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

Quick Eligibility Guide

You may be eligible if:

• You receive a monthly pension of at least USD 1,000 or its equivalent.
• The pension is permanent and payable for life.
• The certificate was issued by the competent authority or entity.
• You can provide an apostilled or legalized document when it was issued outside Costa Rica.
• You can provide an official Spanish translation when the document is written in another language.
• You have valid legal entry and authorized stay when filing the application from within Costa Rica.
• You meet the applicable personal, immigration, and security requirements.

This list is only an initial guide.

A temporary pension, distribution of savings, scheduled withdrawal, or account statement that does not clearly prove a lifetime benefit may not satisfy the requirement.

The Pension Certificate Is the Principal Document

The Immigration Regulations require a document issued by a competent authority proving that the applicant receives a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month.

To reduce the risk of formal requests for clarification or additional documentation, the certificate should clearly state:

• The beneficiary’s full name.
• The monthly pension amount.
• The currency in which it is paid.
• The name of the institution or entity granting the benefit.
• That the pension is permanent or payable for life.
• The benefit start date, when applicable.

When the document is issued outside Costa Rica, it must be apostilled or legalized.

If it is written in another language, it must be accompanied by an official Spanish translation.

Before requesting a new certificate, it is advisable to review the language used by the paying entity.

Ambiguous wording, expiration dates, or references to payments subject to certain conditions may require an explanation or additional documentation.

What Types of Pension May Be Considered?

The pension may come from:

• A public institution.
• A social security system.
• A retirement plan.
• A government institution.
• A competent private entity.

The determining issue is whether the documentation legally establishes that the benefit is monthly, permanent, and payable for life.

Every document must be reviewed individually.

An investment account, annuity, withdrawal arrangement, or private plan should not be assumed to qualify solely because it generates monthly payments.

Renewable Temporary Residency

The Pensionado category is granted as Temporary Residency.

Residency is normally documented for two-year periods and renewed every two years.

To maintain the category, the resident must continue meeting the applicable immigration obligations and renewal requirements.

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

Failure to renew the DIMEX or an extended absence exceeding the legal limits may affect immigration status.

Subsequent Change to Permanent Residency

After holding Temporary Residency for three consecutive years, the person, spouse, and first-degree relatives who have also completed the required period may apply for Permanent Residency.

The change is not automatic.

A formal application must be submitted, and the following matters should be reviewed:

• Continuity of residency.
• Completed renewals.
• Time spent outside Costa Rica.
• Enrollment with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund.
• The individual circumstances of each family member.

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

Including Family Members

The principal Pensionado applicant may request residency for eligible dependents without having to demonstrate an additional USD 1,000 for each person.

The category allows the inclusion of:

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

Each family member must submit the applicable personal requirements.

The family relationship is demonstrated through marriage or birth certificates.

For an adult with a disability, a medical report and, when applicable, legal documentation concerning representation may be required.

The dates and personal information of each family member should be reviewed separately.

Differences in surnames, dates of birth, or parents’ names may result in a formal request for clarification.

Employment, Businesses, and Investments

Temporary Pensionado Residency does not automatically grant general authorization to work as an employee, provide paid services, or conduct profit-making activities independently.

The General Immigration and Foreign Nationals Act provides that temporary residents may perform only those paid or profit-making activities specifically authorized by the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners.

However, a Pensionado resident may:

• Acquire property.
• Make investments.
• Own shares or an ownership interest in a company.
• Receive profits or dividends from investments.

It is important to distinguish between owning or investing in a business and actively working in its operation.

Before directly managing a company, providing services, receiving a salary, or carrying out employment functions, the person should determine whether sufficient immigration authorization exists and which labor, corporate, professional, and tax obligations apply.

Enrollment with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund

After approval and before completing the immigration documentation process, the principal resident and dependents must enroll with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, known as the CCSS.

Immigration verifies this enrollment before documenting the residency.

The monthly contribution is determined by the CCSS based on the financial and family information submitted by each person.

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

Coverage provides access to the public healthcare system in accordance with the institution’s rules, procedures, waiting periods, and availability.

Payments and Documentation After Approval

Once the favorable decision has been issued, the payments and documentation requirements indicated by Immigration must be completed.

These may include:

• The amount stated in the approval decision.
• USD 30 for the application for the immigration document.
• USD 30 for issuance of the document proving legal immigration status.
• The guarantee deposit specified in the decision.
• Active CCSS enrollment.
• A valid passport in good condition.

The dependent spouse may also be required to make the annual contribution to the Social Migration Fund.

Amounts, bank accounts, appointments, and operational requirements should be verified again before payment.

Special Tax Incentives: Limited Statutory Period

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

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 with the exemptions established by law.
• An income-tax exemption for the amounts declared as qualifying income under the law.
• A reduction of up to 20 percent of the transfer tax on certain real estate acquired during the statutory period.

These benefits are not granted automatically when the residency is approved.

They require:

• Separate procedures before the Ministry of Finance.
• Compliance with tax obligations.
• Compliance with social security obligations.
• Authorization through the corresponding systems and procedures.

Law No. 9996 also provides that these incentives may only be requested during the first five years after the law entered into force.

The law took effect on July 14, 2021.

Therefore, under the text in force as of June 14, 2026, the statutory period to request these benefits is scheduled to end on July 14, 2026, unless a later amendment extends or changes the period.

The information on this page should be updated after that date.

These incentives should not be promised or requested without first confirming the current legislation.

Immigration Residency and Tax Status

Immigration residency and tax residency are different concepts.

Pensionado immigration status does not automatically make a person a Costa Rican tax resident.

However, tax residency may arise when the conditions established by Costa Rican tax law are met.

The following matters should be reviewed individually:

• The pension received.
• Investments.
• Participation in corporations.
• Property ownership.
• Costa Rican-source income.
• Tax obligations in other countries.

Independent tax advice is recommended before transferring assets, establishing companies, purchasing property, or conducting economic activities.

Immigration Status While the Application Is Pending

Filing the application creates an immigration file and a receipt that may be used to identify and follow the case.

That receipt:

• Is not approved residency.
• Does not replace a DIMEX.
• Does not automatically authorize employment.

The applicant must maintain an immigration situation consistent with Costa Rican law while awaiting the decision.

Travel, extended presence in Costa Rica, and economic activities should be reviewed according to the circumstances of the case.

The final decision is made exclusively by the General Directorate of Immigration and Foreigners.

General Requirements for Pensionado Residency

Requirements may vary according to nationality, immigration history, the country where the documents were issued, and family composition.

In general, the application may include:

• A legal-residency application stating the applicant’s personal information, request, current address, and authorized method for receiving official notices.
• Proof of the initial USD 50 government payment.
• The applicable fiscal stamps.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• An apostilled or legalized birth certificate.
• An apostilled or legalized criminal background certificate.
• Proof of lawful immigration status in another country when the background certificate comes from the country where the applicant legally resided during the previous three years.
• Certified or officially compared copies of the passport pages showing personal information, the Costa Rican entry stamp, and the visa when applicable.
• A certificate issued by the competent authority proving the minimum lifetime pension of USD 1,000 per month.
• Official Spanish translations of documents issued in another language.
• Marriage or birth certificates and disability documentation when dependents are included.
• Any additional document requested by Immigration to clarify the source, duration, or conditions of the pension.

An application filed from within Costa Rica must be submitted during the period of stay authorized upon entry.

Foreign public documents must satisfy the apostille or legalization requirements applicable in the country of issue.

Administrative Decision Period

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

When documents are missing, inconsistencies exist, or information must be verified, Immigration may issue a formal request for additional information.

Actual processing may be extended while the applicant responds or additional verification is performed.

The regulatory period should therefore not be presented as a guarantee that every case will be decided in exactly three months.

Issues That May Delay or Affect the Application

Potential difficulties include:

• A certificate that does not expressly state that the pension is payable for life.
• A monthly amount below the legal minimum.
• A temporary pension or one subject to a termination date.
• A document issued by an entity whose authority is unclear.
• Foreign certificates without apostille, legalization, or official translation.
• A criminal background certificate issued by an authority with insufficient territorial coverage.
• Differences in names, surnames, dates of birth, or parents’ names.
• An expired or damaged passport.
• Irregular entry or stay in Costa Rica.
• Incomplete family documents.
• Failure to enroll with the CCSS after approval.
• Performing paid activities without authorization.

Every application should be prepared according to the pension-paying entity, the issuing country, and the applicant’s personal and family circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I Prove an Additional USD 1,000 for My Spouse?

No.

The minimum amount applies to the principal Pensionado applicant and may cover the eligible dependents established by the regulations, provided the relationship and each person’s requirements are proven.

Does a Private Annuity Always Qualify?

Not necessarily.

The documentation must establish a lifetime monthly payment issued or certified by a competent entity.

May I Work with This Residency?

The category does not grant general authorization to work.

Any paid or profit-making activity must have sufficient immigration authorization.

May I Own a Business?

Yes.

A resident may make investments and participate as an owner or shareholder.

Actively working in the business requires a separate immigration and legal analysis.

When May I Apply for Permanent Residency?

After holding Temporary Residency for three consecutive years, an application for a change of category may be submitted, but the change is not automatic.

Is CCSS Enrollment Optional?

No.

Enrollment is required to complete the immigration documentation and must be maintained for renewal.

Are the Incentives Under Law No. 9996 Permanent?

No.

The law established a limited period during which they may be requested.

Their current availability must be verified before they are offered or requested.

Let Us Review Your Eligibility Before You Request Documents

A Pensionado Residency application requires more than proving a monthly deposit.

At JAROS Costa Rica, we can assist you with:

• An initial eligibility evaluation.
• Review of the pension certificate.
• Analysis of annuities, private plans, and documents issued by foreign entities.
• Review of birth and criminal background certificates.
• Review of apostilles, legalizations, and translations.
• Evaluation of dependent family documents.
• Preparation, organization, and filing of the application.
• Case follow-up.
• Responses to formal requests for additional information.
• Guidance concerning CCSS enrollment.
• Coordination of the documentation process and DIMEX issuance.
• Preparation of future renewals.
• Evaluation of a later change to Permanent Residency.
• Coordination with tax professionals when investments or fiscal incentives are involved.

Request an Initial Evaluation of Your Case

If you receive a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month and wish to establish legal residency in Costa Rica, our team can review your documents and guide you through every stage of the process.

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 or tax evaluation. Requirements, amounts, forms, incentives, payment accounts, and procedures may be modified by the competent authorities