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Investor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Inversionista)
VisasCosta RicaInvestor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Inversionista)
Costa RicaCosta Rica•North America
Open

Investor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Inversionista)

Investment PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

$310 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Renewable 2-year investment visa requiring USD $150,000 minimum in approved sectors; no work authorization for principal or dependents.

The Investor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Inversionista) is Costa Rica's golden visa for foreign nationals investing $150,000 in approved sectors (real estate, businesses, securities) or $100,000 in forestry projects. Spouses and dependent children under 25 may be included.

Residency is granted for 2-year renewable periods indefinitely if the investment is maintained and annual residency requirements (72 hours/year) are met. Mandatory CCSS social security registration applies. Filing fee is USD 50 plus document processing and Social Migration Fund contributions. No work authorization granted; income must derive from the investment alone.

This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs and real estate investors seeking renewable residency to establish a long-term business presence in Costa Rica.

Cost Breakdown

Application fee$50 USD
Processing fee$200 USD
Permanence document request$30 USD
Permanence document issuance$30 USD
Annual Social Migration Fund$25 USD
recurring
Total$310 USD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Permanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente - Libre Condición)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Permanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente - Libre Condición)

Validity5 years
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Minimum investment of USD $150,000 in approved sectors (real estate, business, securities, etc.) or USD $100,000 in forestry/reforestation projects.

Investment must be maintained for the duration of the residency.

Must be a legal resident; can apply in-country or via a consulate.

Must enroll in the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS/Caja).

Must maintain residency status by visiting the country at least once a year (minimum 72 hours).

KEY CRITERIA

Investment

150,000 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Criminal background check

Health insurance

Birth certificate

Fingerprints

Dependent documents

Investment contract (sponsor)

Business plan (sponsor)

Property deed (sponsor)

Financial proof (sponsor)

Company registration (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Renewable for unlimited 2-year periods with no statutory end date to residency
  • Pathway to permanent residency after 3 years and citizenship after 7 years of legal residence
  • Spouse and dependent children under 25 can be included as beneficiaries on the same application
  • Territorial tax system exempts foreign-sourced income from Costa Rican taxation
  • Stable economy in a developed Central American democracy with favorable business environment
  • Minimal initial costs of USD 50 application fee plus standard processing expenses

Worth Knowing

  • Requires minimum USD 150,000 investment in approved sectors; must be maintained throughout residency
  • Prohibited from all paid work — principal and dependents cannot work locally or remotely
  • Mandatory enrollment in Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS) with ongoing monthly payments
  • Must visit Costa Rica at least 72 hours per calendar year to maintain residency status
  • USD 150,000 investment is a hard threshold with no lower-tier alternatives within this category

Application Process

1

Identify investment: Select qualifying investment project in Costa Rica

2

Prepare investment documents: Business plans, property deeds, project details, contracts

3

Gather personal documents: Passport, background check, financial documents

4

Prepare documents: Apostille and translate all documents as necessary

5

Submit application: Apply through Costa Rican immigration office or licensed attorney

6

Investment verification: Immigration verifies investment details and legality

7

Pay application fees: Application fee and processing costs

8

Await decision: Processing typically 6-12 months

9

Receive permit: Temporary residency permit issued for 2 years upon investment completion

Application Forms

Inversionista Residency Application—

Verified Claims (6)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026
Fee Breakdown
Application fee: 50 USD; Processing fee: 200 USD; Permanence document request: 30 USD; Permanence do…
pgrweb.go.cr
Fees
USD 50 application + USD 200 processing + USD 30 document request + USD 30 document issuance + USD 2…
pgrweb.go.cr
Max Stay Estimate
type: days, initialDays: 730, notes: 2 years per grant, renewable for equal periods indefinitely sub…
pgrweb.go.cr
Renewable
true
pgrweb.go.cr
Spouse Can Work
no
pgrweb.go.cr
Work Auth
No work authorization. Principal applicant and all dependents are prohibited from performing any pai…
pgrweb.go.cr
Official Information

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