Free Trade Zone Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal — Personal de Empresas COMEX/Zona Franca)

The Free Trade Zone Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal — Personal de Empresas COMEX/Zona Franca) is a specialized residency category established to support Costa Rica's Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime, governed by Law No. 7210 and its associated regulations. This permit was created to facilitate the rapid and efficient movement of highly skilled professionals and technical staff required by companies operating within the FTZ. By streamlining the immigration process for these essential workers, the government aims to maintain the competitiveness of the FTZ sector and encourage continued foreign direct investment in strategic industries.

This permit is for executives, scientists, professionals, and technical staff employed by companies that hold official Free Trade Zone status, as certified by the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER). It is designed for individuals whose presence is necessary for the specialized manufacturing, service, or research activities conducted within these zones. The permit is distinctive because it is explicitly linked to the company's FTZ status and the specific technical or managerial role of the applicant, providing a streamlined pathway for experts to work in Costa Rica’s most dynamic and export-oriented economic sectors.