Understanding Costa Rica Residency: The Rentista Route

Gaining Costa Rica residency through the Rentista program offers a unique opportunity to enjoy life in this beautiful and friendly country. This Costa Rica residency option requires the principal applicant to demonstrate a stable and permanent income of $2,500 per month for the next two years, totaling $60,000 USD.

Costa Rica Residency Requirements

If you’re looking for a pathway to a new life in Costa Rica, the Rentista route could be your ideal starting point. Here’s what you need to know:

Income Requirements

To qualify for Costa Rica residency through the Rentista route, you can demonstrate your income with a letter from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). You’ll need to provide your bank statements from the last twelve months, allowing the CPA to verify that you meet the income requirements.

It is not necessary to have the funds in Costa Rica, as you can use bank statements from abroad. Moreover, once your residency is approved, making monthly deposits into a Costa Rican bank account is no longer required.

Required Documents for Costa Rica Rentista Residency:

• CPA Letter: Declares a monthly income of $2,500 for the next 24 months.
• Birth Certificate: Duly Apostilled or legalized, along with its official Spanish translation with apostille/legalization
• Criminal Record: Duly Apostilled or legalized, along with its official Spanish translation with apostille/legalization
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable): Duly Apostilled or legalized along with its Spanish translation with apostille/legalization
• Consular Registration: Along with its official Spanish translation.

Getting your paperwork in order can be overwhelming. Contact Quatro Legal for a complimentary e-consultation, and let our experts guide you through the Costa Rica residency laws and requirements.

Considerations with Criminal Records:

Should your Criminal Report show records, the Immigration Department may require additional documentation to assess the nature of the record, potentially reducing your approval chances by up to 50%.

Application Processing Times:

Due to staff shortages and increased application volumes, the Immigration Department currently anticipates response times of 18-24 months. However, applicants and their families are permitted to stay in Costa Rica throughout the processing period.

Costa Rica Residency Post-Approval Requirements:

Upon approval, Rentistas must enroll in Caja, Costa Rica’s Public Health System, and apply for their DIMEX card. It’s important to note that Rentistas fall into the highest payment category in Caja, with monthly fees based on the income requirement of $2,500.

Residency Duration and Renewal:

Temporary Residency is initially granted for two years and is renewable every two years thereafter. For renewal, you must submit a new CPA letter verifying continued income. Leaving Costa Rica for a consecutive year requires obtaining a new Criminal Report and its translation for the renewal process. To avoid complications, we recommend spending at least one to two weeks per year in Costa Rica if you do not intend to reside permanently.

Path to Citizenship in Costa Rica:

Rentista residency can eventually lead to Costa Rican citizenship, offering a permanent solution to enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle as a full-fledged Tico or Tica!

If you don’t apply to the rentista residency category, there is also the opportunity to get Costa Rica residency through the investor and retired programs.

Want to learn more about how to get Costa Rica residency? Quatro Legal is here to help! Reach out now for a complimentary e-consultation and start your journey to living in Costa Rica.

For more information feel free to reach out to MARIA JOSE MATHUS at mjm@quatro.legal