I Received Fixed Income Home And Want To Move To Costa Rica: How Can I Obtain A Rentista Temporary Residency?

The Rentista temporary residency is a type of Costa Rican residency applicable to any person who has a fixed, guaranteed income of at least US$2,500.00, legal tender of the United States of America, from any source of investment, savings or other source for a term of at least two years. The applicant must prove the income letter preferably from a CPA in Costa Rica, certifying that the applicant will receive at least US$2,500.00, legal tender of the United States of America, per month for a two-year period. It applies to married couples as well applicants with dependents. The applicant must agree to live in Costa Rica for at least one day per year. The applicant may file for permanent residency after three consecutive years. A Rentista temporary resident is not allowed to work or perform remunerated activities in Costa Rica until his or her residency becomes permanent. It is important to clarify that a letter or document confirming income from salary or wages or any form of employment with a foreign entity is not eligible proof for “Rentista” status.

The general requirements for any of the residency applications described above are:

a) Completed immigration form.
b) Application letter and special power of attorney.
c) Directorate of Immigration information consent letter.
d) Deposit of US$200.00, legal tender of the United States of America, at Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) for immigration fees. The deposit must include the applicant’s full name.
e) Deposit of US$50.00, legal tender of the United States of America, at Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) for immigration fees. The deposit must include the applicant’s full name.
f) Deposit of 1,000 colones at BCR Bank for immigration fees. The deposit must include the applicant’s full name.
g) Four passport-size pictures.
h) Fingerprints to be taken at Costa Rica’s “Ministerio de Seguridad Pública”, or Ministry of Public Security. An appointment can be made throught their online platform and there are different locations. There is a form that needs to be submitted at the appointment. See Question 13 for more information.
i) Consular Registration with the Consulate of the applicant’s country. For United States citizens, use link: step.state.gov For Canadian citizens, use link: travel.gc.ca
j) Birth certificate, duly apostilled. The issue date of the apostille must be within six months.
k) Criminal record, duly apostilled, from the country of residence. The issue date of the apostille must be within six months. For American citizens, criminal records must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in Washington D.C.; for Canadian citizens, they must be issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); and for citizens of the United Kingdom, they must be issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office.

In addition to the general requirements indidcated above the key requirement to qualify is an Income Letter issued preferably by a CPA in Costa Rica, certifying that the applicant will receive at least US$2,500.00, legal tender of the United States of America, per month for a two-year period.

For more information please fill out the courtesy e-meeting form at the bottom. We will be glad to assist you!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws and regulations are subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact our office directly. Some images may be AI generated.