Rentist (fixed income) Residency

If you, or your spouse, receive an income of at least $2,500 USD per month you could qualify for temporary residency as a person with fixed income, or rentista, in Costa Rica.

Under this category, the principal applicant is allowed to obtain residency for a spouse and children as dependents.

Our approach is SIMPLE, we take care of everything ,coordinating with all professionals involved and getting all the appointments required. Do not stress, do not worry, we take care of all the process.

rentist-residency-costa-rica-immigration-lawyer

  • In addition to the right to legally reside in Costa Rica, for a limited period of 5 years (starting in the year 2021) you obtain the following rights or benefits:

    • Right to import, free of all import taxes, up to 2 vehicles of any type: yacht, cars or planes.

    • Right to import, free of all import taxes, tax payment to import household items regardless of whether they are new or used goods.

    • Right to import, free of all import taxes, professional work team.

    • A 20% discount on the real estate transfer tax.

  • There is an easy, yet burocratic way to do it. The steps to follow are:

    1. Opening a bank account in Costa Rica

    2. Depositing USD$60K

    3. Getting a letter from the bank stating you will receive USD$2500 per month for at least 2 years (the residency is valid for 2 years, and can be renewed for additional 2 years. The renewal is unlimited)

    4. Get an accountant to certify the letter.

    There is another way to do it, using your bank in your home country, but the letters have to be issued with an apostille. It can be more complicated that it sounds. The first option is preferable.

  • In addition to the main document, it should be included the following:

    • Birth certificate with apostille.

    • Criminal records with apostille (Federal records for the USA and Canada)

    • Registration before Costarican police

    • Selfie

    • Power of attorney

    • Informed consent

    • Payment of the application fees (USD$250 plus transfers)

    Any document that is not in spanish must be translated with an official translator

    • Temporary residency under the Pensionado Category is valid for two years.

    • It can be renewed for additional two-year periods.

    • After three years of holding temporary residency, you will become eligible for permanent residency.

  • The application process for temporary residency usually takes anytime between 6 and 15 months, depending on the processing time of the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjeria (DGME), which takes approximately 9 months to analyze the application.

    This times can vary depending if we apply online, instead of the traditional application.