Costa Rica•North AmericaPensionado (Retiree) Visa
At a Glance
Processing Time
90 days
Application Fee
50 USD
Stay Duration
2 years
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 retirees with guaranteed lifetime monthly income of at least USD 1,000. Income must come from a reliable source such as social security, pension, annuity, or military pension. Can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.
The Pensionado (Retiree) Visa is one of Costa Rica's most popular residency options for retirees. It requires proof of a permanent monthly income of at least USD 1,000 from a guaranteed source. Applicants must include social security enrollment in their plan. There is no age requirement to qualify. Spouses and dependent children can be included without additional income requirements.
Check Your Eligibility
Take our quick assessment to see how well you match this visa and get personalized tips
Requirements
Financial
Minimum Income
12,000 USD
per year
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
At least 6 months validity
Passport photos
Recent, passport-sized photos
Income certification
Official letter from pension provider, social security, or financial institution confirming USD 1,000+ monthly income
Criminal background check
Certificate from home country, apostilled and translated
Health insurance
Costa Rican or international coverage
Birth certificate
Apostilled and translated
Fingerprints
For applicants over 12 years old
Dependent documents
Marriage certificates, birth certificates for dependents
OptionalTrack your documents or upload them for AI-powered review
Advantages
- Lowest income requirement (USD 1,000/month)
- No age limit
- Spouse and children included at no additional cost
- Can renew indefinitely
- Path to permanent residency after 3 years
- Can apply for citizenship after 7 years
Considerations
- Income must be permanent and guaranteed
- Must enroll in Costa Rican social security (CAJA)
- Income cannot decrease
- Cannot work for local employment
- Cannot own a business independently
- Requires significant documentation and apostilles
Application Process
Gather documentation
Collect certified income letters, criminal background check, medical insurance documents
Prepare documents
Have all documents apostilled and translated to Spanish if necessary
Submit application
Apply at Costa Rican immigration office or through licensed attorney
Pay application fees
Application fee approximately USD 50 plus processing fees
Medical examination
If required by immigration officer
Await decision
Processing typically 90 days to 6 months
Receive permit
Temporary residency permit issued for 2 years
Application Forms
Pensionado Residency Application
Ready to Apply?
Check your eligibility first to see how well you match this visa