Costa Rica•North AmericaFamily Reunification (Dependent) Visa
At a Glance
Processing Time
360-480 days
Application Fee
50 USD
Stay Duration
1 year
Renewable
Varies
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Allowed
PR Pathway
Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Temporary residency visa for spouses, children, parents, and siblings of Costa Rican citizens or legal residents. Allows family reunification with no additional income requirements if primary applicant meets residency requirements. Can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.
Costa Rica's Family Reunification visa allows dependents of Costa Rican citizens and legal residents to obtain residency. Eligible dependents include spouses (including same-sex spouses), children under 18, children 18-25 if full-time students, children over 25 with disabilities, parents, and siblings under 18 or with disabilities.
The sponsor must demonstrate economic capacity to support dependents. This is one pathway for family members to reunite and eventually obtain permanent residency.
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Requirements
Personal
Passport Validity
6 months
Criminal Record Policy
Clean record required
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
At least 6 months validity
Passport photos
Passport-sized photos, recent and clear
Criminal background check
Apostilled and translated certificate from home country
Health insurance
Valid coverage
Proof of valid tourist visa
Must be physically present in Costa Rica on valid visa
Birth certificate
Apostilled and translated
Marriage certificate
If applying as spouse, apostilled and translated
OptionalFingerprints
For applicants over 12 years old
Sponsor Documents
Costa Rican residency document
Proof that sponsor is Costa Rican citizen or legal resident
Proof of economic support
Bank statements showing ability to support dependents
Relationship documentation
Marriage certificate, birth certificate proving relationship
Sponsor background check
Police clearance if not Costa Rican citizen
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Advantages
- Allows family reunification
- No additional income requirement if sponsor qualifies
- Multiple eligible dependent categories
- Can renew indefinitely
- Path to permanent residency after 3 years
- Can lead to citizenship after 7 years
Considerations
- Sponsor must be Costa Rican citizen or legal resident
- Must be physically present in Costa Rica to apply
- Long processing time (12-16 months)
- Applicant must have valid tourist visa while processing
- Dependent on sponsor's residency status
- Sponsor must demonstrate economic support
- Age/status restrictions on dependents
- All documents must be apostilled and translated
Application Process
Establish sponsorship
Costa Rican citizen or resident sponsor prepares support documents
Gather family documents
Collect marriage certificate, birth certificates, passports
Prepare documents
Apostille and translate all foreign documents to Spanish
Establish residency in Costa Rica
Applicant must be physically present in Costa Rica on valid tourist visa
Submit application
File application at DGME with sponsor and family documents
Interview (if required)
Immigration may request interview to verify relationship
Await decision
Processing typically 12-16 months
Receive permit
Temporary residency permit issued for 1 year
Application Forms
Family Reunification Application
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