Costa Rica ~ Pensioner Residence Visa (Pensionado)
Time to Permanent Residency: 3 Year ~ Time to Citizenship: 7 Years
Costa Rica grants a temporary residency visa under the category of “pensionado”, to foreign-nationals willing to immigrate to the country, who have a lifetime pension, such as social security, annuities, retirement funds, military pensions or other guaranteed retirement benefits.
Proof of permanent monthly income of US$1,000. There is no minimum age to qualify and may include a spouse, and children under 25 years or older with disabilities. Additional income for dependents may be required.
The permit has a validity of 2 years, and may be renewed on condition that you still meet the requirements. For renewal, it must be proved that the income has been received in Costa Rica and you have lived in the country at least 4 months per year, continuous or discontinuous.
Pensionado Visa holders may establish a business or work on their own, but may not work as employees.
Once you have legally resided in Costa Rica with any temporary residence permit for 3 or more years, you may be eligible for permanent residence.
Permanent Residency in Costa Rica allows working as an employee for a Costa Rican employer and the minimum requirement of annual stay is to visit the country once a year for 72 hours. Permanent residence is individual and does not include dependents.
Permanent residency must be renewed every 5 years.
Foreigners who have a first-degree relationship with a Costa Rican citizen, either spouse or child, may also apply for the permanent residence visa, even if they do not fulfill the residency requirement.
After 7 years living legally with a temporary or permanent residency visa, a foreigner may apply for citizenship by naturalization. Citizenship by naturalization gives the right to obtain the Costa Rican passport. Dual citizenship is de facto allowed; naturalized citizens are not usually required to renounce to previous citizenship.
To become citizen, you will be required to have knowledge of spoken and written Spanish, pass a test about Costa Rican history and values and have 2 witnesses that can testify to your conduct and livelihood.
Requirements
Demonstrate with a document issued by a competent authority that you receive a lifetime pension of an amount of at least US$1,000. If the certification is issued abroad it must be duly legalized and authenticated or apostilled.
You will be required to contribute to La Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (C.C.S.S.) (Social Security Fund), acquiring a seguro voluntario (voluntary insurance). The cost will depend on the income received, but it is around 9-10% of the stated monthly income.
Documents Required
Receipt of payment of fees- Two passport-size photos
- Proof of fingerprints record
- Original Police Clearance Certificate
- Original and photocopy of passport
- Proof of consular registration
- Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
- Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
