Comparison of Types of Residency
| Pensionado Retirement |
Rentista Foreign income |
Inversionista Investor |
Vinculo Family |
Permanent Residency |
Representante Company Representative |
| Requires proof of $1,000 US per month income from permanent pension source, like Social Security, Military Retirement, or a retirement fund. | Requires proof of $2,500 US per month for at least two years, guaranteed by a banking institution, or a $60,000 US deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. | Invest $200,000 US in any business or asset, or a specified amount of investment in certain government approved sectors. | Marriage to a Costa Rican Citizen. If married less than 2 years you obtain temporary residency. If married for more than 2 years you obtain permanent residency. Family status is for persons that have children or parents as citizens and you obtain permanent residency. |
May apply after 3 years as a Pensionado, Rentista, or Inversionista. May apply after 2 years as a married resident. |
Applicant must be director, executive, representative, manager, or technical employee of a company meeting certain requirements, such as employing a minimum number of local workers as established by the labor law, with a financial statements certified by a Public Accountant. |
| Must remain in country at least 1 day per year. | Must remain in country at least 1 day per year. | Must remain in country at least 1 day per year. | Must remain in country at least 1 day per year. | Must remain in country at least 1 day per year. | Must remain in country at least 1 day per year. |
| Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age or over 25if fully disabled. | Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age or over 25 if fully disabled. | Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age or over 25 if fully disabled. | Cannot claim spouse or dependants. | Can claim spouse and dependants under 25 years of age or over 25 if fully disabled. | Cannot claim spouse and dependants, they must be processed separately. |
| Cannot work as an employee. | Cannot work as an employee. | Income allowed from the project. | Can work and earn income. | Can work and earn income. | Can earn an income from the company. |
| Can own a company and receive income. | Can own a company and receive income. | Can own a company and receive income. | Can own a company and receive income. | Can own a company and receive income. | Can work for a company and receive income. |
| Can apply for permanent residency after 3 years. Can apply for citizenship after 7 years. | Can apply for permanent residency after 3 years. Can apply for citizenship after 7 years. | Can apply for permanent residency after 3 years. Can apply for citizenship after 7 years. | Can apply for citizenship after 2 years. | Can apply for citizenship after 7 years. | Cannot apply for citizenship. |
There are also several special categories for residency.
These are: Religious Person, Scientific Professional or Trainee, Sportsman, Correspondent and Press Agency Staff, Specialized Technician, and Work Permit as Specialized Worker.