COSTA RICA IMMIGRATION

About 40,000 Americans and another 20,000 or so Canadians and others live in Costa Rica. Some are retired and some work here.

Many decided to come after their Costa Rica vacation.

Some are Costa Rica residents; some are not.

Lots of people who travel Costa Rica wonder about moving to Costa Rica.

I'm going to give you good, solid info to help you decide if you want---or need---to be a Costa Rica resident to live here.

Then, I'll explain the different ways to become a resident.

In a former life in the States I practiced law, including immigration law, for many years.

Though I no longer practice law, I'm going to give you a bit of free---but invaluable--- advice.

If you want to obtain Costa Rica residency, hire a Costa Rica immigration lawyer. The process, appearing simple on paper, is anything but and the fact of the matter is that the Costa Rica immigration office is one of the worst bureaucracies you'll have the displeasure of dealing with.

Do You Need to be a Legal Resident to Live in Costa Rica?

provided that. . .

You leave Costa Rica for at least 72 hours every 90 days

and

You don't work for somebody else (read on and I'll show you how you can legally work and perhaps pay no taxes).

Your passport serves also as a visa for Costa Rica and automatically allows you to stay in this little country for up to 90 days. If you leave for three days (you can go anywhere), you can then return for another 90 days

ad infinitum.

There are thousands and thousands of Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Chinese, and others who live in Costa Rica without becoming a resident.

Ticos call them "perpetual tourists" and they are perfectly legal under Costa Rica immigration law.

I like to return to the States every three months or so to visit my family, see my doctor, and shop.

But, what if you come from, say Korea or Russia? What to do?

Take a little vacation to Nicaragua or Panama like my Korean and Russian friends do. Drive or take a bus (really convenient, really cheap, and comfortable).

And, do not be a fool, leave for three days.

Sometimes folks pay a corrupt official to fraudulently stamp their passport. If caught, the penalty can be immediate deportation (or worse yet, deportation after confinement awaiting hearing).

When you're suddenly kicked out, what'll you do about your house, your car, your dog, your things?

Don't play fast and loose with Costa Rica immigration rules. It's not nice to play with Mother Nature.

You Don't Need to be a Legal Resident to Own Property

The movie star, Mel Gibson, owns Costa Rica real estate even though he doesn't live here and probably will never be moving to Costa Rica or become a resident.

He's joined by thousands of others.

Why Consider Becoming a Legal Resident?

Several reasons.

First, you won't have to leave the country every 90 days.

Second, you'll be able to work for wages. For example, Intel, Motorola and a whole raft of foreign companies do business here and you can work for them (or anybody else) once you're a resident.

With limited exceptions, a nonresident cannot work for wages.

But don't worry, I'm going to tell you WHAT YOU CAN DO to make money even if you don't want to become a legal resident. Be patient and keep reading.

Third, as a resident you'll receive discounts in parks, attractions, and other places.

Fourth, a legal resident has access to free medical care just as citizens do, including prescription drugs and hospitalization.

This is not an inconsiderable benefit. Costa Rica has the third highest life expectancy in the world. The quality of medical care is on par with that in the U.S. and in the top 20 on the planet.

And, GOOD NEWS! Many insurance carriers, with more and more all the time, provide medical and dental coverage in Costa Rica. Click to read more about Costa Rica medical tourism.

How To Become a Legal Resident

One way is to marry a Tica or Tico. So long as the marriage is real (think cohabitation and sexual intimacy) not a sham, residency is essentially automatic.

Seem a little draconian? Foolish?

Or perhaps a great idea for some but. . .

not for you.

Retired? Become a Pensionado

Legal residency, called residente pensionado, is available to people who have a pension or Social Security benefits of at least $1,000 ($2,000 a couple) a month. Children under the age of 18 (or 25 if they are in school) are considered dependents and no extra income is required.

The pension must be paid into a Costa Rica bank (i.e., you need a Costa Rica bank account) and be guaranteed for the length of your life.

In addition, legal residents will be required to show proof of health insurance from the government Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social.

This insurance will cover immediate family members, including one's spouse, minor children living under the same roof, and adult children up to age 25 who are full-time students. Pre-existing conditions are not covered for the first six months.

How much does this insurance cost? Well, it's based upon the amount of pension or Social Security benefits received in Costa Rica each month. If your Social Security benefits are $1,000/month, the health care premium will be about $65/month.

Should your retirement benefits be more, the premium will also be more.

Money Saving Tip If you have Social Security of at least $1,000 a month as well as another pension, you'll qualify for pensionado residency solely with Social Security if those benefits are directly deposited into a Costa Rica bank. Don't have your other pension directly deposited; otherwise, your health care premiums will be affected.

Speaking of U.S. Social Security

When you get to the Embassy, there will be a long line of Costa Ricans outside, waiting to get a Visa into the U.S. Go directly to the door, at the head of the line, because you will have priority of entry. Don't be shy but be polite. A security guard will let you inside the compound.

Once inside, ask an employee where to go. Get a little number from a machine and take a seat just outside one of the doors for Social Security. Don't follow the Ticos because they are serviced by other Embassy employees who cannot help you.

Applying for Social Security is a snap at the Embassy. Simply show up with your passport and certified copy of your birth certificate.

Better yet, the nice (and efficient) Social Security agent will set up direct deposit directly into your Costa Rica bank account (the first deposit will be one month after your qualifying birthdate)!

Need info about opening a Costa Rica bank account and other things to know about living in Costa Rica.

Don't Have a Pension? Become a Rentista

Typically, a rentista will have to deposit $150,000 (to guarantee $2,500/month for five years) into a Costa Rica bank which then certifies it to the Immigration Department.

Additionally, under the recent changes to Costa Rica immigration law, rentistas are required to purchase health insurance from the government Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. The monthly premium is based upon the amount of the steady income: at $2,500/month, the premium will be about $130.

An Investor? Become an Inversionista

$50,000: Certain "key" industries that include tourism and export of Costa Rican products

$100,000: Certain reforestation projects (preapproval required)

$200,000: Other types of businesses (retail, manufacturing, farming, etc.)

Note: Buying a house does not qualify you under this category.

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