... Residency Status For Foreigners ...
by Ryan Piercy for the ARCR

It is important to know that North Americans can stay in Costa Rica legally for up to 3 months. They must then leave for a period of 72 hours, then can then return to the country for another three months. If the three-month period is overstayed, a travel agency or ARCR can arrange payment of a small fine and prepare the travel documents required to leave the country for the required 72 hours. Tourists can own vehicles, property, and businesses and generate income from self-employment. However if you intend to live in Costa Rica, it is recommended that you obtain Legal Residency. This may now be especially important as new legislation may be passed to prevent “perpetual tourists” from remaining in the country.

There are several options if you are considering becoming a resident of Costa Rica, and the process can be started after your arrival, however you will need to bring certain documents with you. In most cases residency takes about 4 months to process. If all of your documents are in order, and you don’t have any major criminal history, residency is almost guaranteed in many forms. The most common residency types applied for include Pensionados (persons receiving a lifetime pension) Rentistas (other retired individuals who don’t have a pension, but have investments to provide them with an income) and Inversionistas (Investors looking at going into business or investing in certain sectors). Pensionados, Rentistas and Inversionistas can claim their spouses and children under 18 as dependents. A child between 18 and 25 can be a dependent if he/she is enrolled in a university.

Another important recommendation before living here, or any country, is that you try first to make an extended visit to see how you like the country. Many people have different stories to tell, good and bad, but Costa Rica has a culture very different to what you may be used to. It is important to see how you can adjust, as well as give you an opportunity to have a preliminary look around at where you may like to live.

If you decide in the end to make the move, and apply for residency, but can’t decide which option applies to you, consult with the ARCR about your specific case.