Costa Rica Residency for Retirees

Are you thinking of getting a residency for retirees in Costa Rica, to enjoy your pension?

Do you (or your spouse) have a lifetime monthly pension of $1,000 USD?

You will find that the Pensionado category is a very good option. The pension must be a lifetime pension. In addition, pensioners do not pay taxes on income from outside Costa Rica. Once you obtain your residence for pensionado, you can enjoy all the benefits granted by being a Costa Rican citizen such as Social Security and Public Health (CCSS or Caja), which covers pre-existing conditions.
If you are married and have children, then your wife and child may be dependent. When you get residency, you will need to renew your status every 2 years and prove that you were in CR one day a year. A temporary resident can apply for permanent residence after 8 years. In fact, with permanent or temporary residency, you can enjoy all the rights of a Costa Rican citizen, except that you cannot vote.


What do you need to get your Residency for Retirees in Costa Rica?

Requirements:

  1. Proof of $1000 USD per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund.
  2. Must be in Costa Rica at least 1 day per year.
  3. Proof of pension.
  4. Criminal background check from your home country.
  5. Birth certificate.

6. Marriage certificate (if applicable).

7. Application form (we will complete it for you).

8. Fingerprints for C.R.

9. Consular Registration.

10. Eight passport size photographs.

Note:

  • All the documents should be apostilled in your country of origin (if your home country is not part of the Apostille Convention, the documents should be authenticated or legalized in the Embassy of Costa Rica in your country of origin).

Cost of the Process:

$1700 (Primary applicant) | $1000 (Spouse) | $800 (Dependent)

The Government and other expenses associated with your residency are not included.

In addition to our service fees, it is essential to take into consideration that there will be governmental charges and some extra costs. These include costs for Spanish translations of documents in another language, obtaining an appointment for immigration procedures, local appointments for fingerprinting and appointments for Casa Amarilla.

JAROS Costa Rica Immigation Experts: offers you the local service of processing and bringing the required documentation.

So now you have your Residency in Costa Rica! Remember, that after a certain period of time you will need to proceed with your Residency Renewal.

Click here for more information about the Apostille Convention and check if your home country is a party to it — notable exceptions include Canada and China.