Costa Rica Rentista Visa
Costa Rica CRI
Costa Rica's Rentista visa is designed for individuals who can demonstrate a guaranteed income of at least $2,500 per month from sources outside Costa Rica, such as investments, rental income, or a bank deposit of $60,000 spread over two years. The visa grants temporary residency for two years and is renewable, with a path to permanent residency after three years and citizenship after seven years of legal residence. Costa Rica's territorial tax system means that only income earned within Costa Rica is subject to local taxation, making the Rentista visa attractive for individuals with foreign-sourced passive income.
Program Details
- Category
- Passive Income
- Processing Time
- 3 months
- Application Fee
- $250
- Minimum Income
- $2,500/mo
- Minimum Investment
- —
- Family Included
- Each additional dependent adds $500/month to the income requirement
- Path to PR
- Yes — 3 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 7 years
- Physical Presence
- Must spend at least 4 months (120 days) per year in Costa Rica to maintain the visa
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system; foreign-sourced income is not subject to Costa Rican income tax, making it attractive for retirees and passive income earners
- Renewal Cost
- $100
$2,500/month from a stable, ongoing source such as a pension, annuity, investment returns, or trust. The income must be provably stable and ongoing for a minimum of 5 years.
Application Timeline
Apply
3mo processing
Visa Granted
Initial permit
Permanent Residency
After 3 years
Citizenship
After 7 years
Key Requirements
- ✓Proof of stable income of at least $2,500/month for a guaranteed period of 5 years (e.g., bank guarantee, annuity, pension)
- ✓Income certification from a bank or financial institution
- ✓Clean criminal record from home country (apostilled)
- ✓Birth certificate (apostilled)
- ✓Proof of accommodation in Costa Rica
- ✓Medical certificate
- ✓Application through Costa Rica's General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs (DGME)
Am I eligible for Costa Rica Rentista Visa?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Minimum monthly income
Programme requires $2,500/month.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Document $2,500/month unearned income OR $60,000 deposit
home countryProve either (a) $2,500+ monthly income from stable source (investments, annuities, business ownership) for minimum 2 years, OR (b) $60,000 deposit in approved CR bank guaranteed for 2-year disbursement.
Typical duration: 4-6 weekssource ↗
- 02
Apostille + translate documents
home countryAll foreign documents require apostille + official Spanish translation.
Typical duration: 4-8 weeks
- 03
Submit application
home countryApply at Costa Rican consulate OR in-country via immigration lawyer.
Typical duration: 8-18 months processing
- 04
Enroll in CAJA and begin residence
destinationMandatory CAJA enrollment (7-11% of income). Apply for DIMEX ID.
Typical duration: 4-12 weeks
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Home country | No | — | 180 |
| Income proof ($2,500/mo 2-yr stable) OR bank deposit ($60k CR bank) | Bank/business | Yes | es | 180 |
| Birth + marriage certs | Home country | Yes | es | 180 |
| Police clearance (6 months) | Home country | Yes | es | 180 |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, translations, apostilles, health_insurance_first_year, relocation_misc, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.
Excludes $60k bank deposit if taking that route (refundable).
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait0–0 weeks
- Residence card issuance40 weeks
- Total to residence card36–78 weeks
CR immigration 8-18 months typical processing; tourist-visa extensions bridge wait.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 24 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 24 months
- Renewal fee
- $100
- Requirements
- Continued deposits/income; CAJA current.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 3
- Integration test
- Not required
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- 7
- Language test
- Yes (A2)
- Civic test
- Required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 183 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Territorial (in-country only)
- Exit-tax country
- No
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- Yes
- Public system access
- After 0 months
Examples: CAJA, INS, Cigna
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Dependent spouse cannot work
- Child school enrolment
- Public + international schools
- Parent inclusion
- Not eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠CAJA mandatory 7-11% of income
- ⚠Costa Rica taxes only local income (territorial)
- ⚠$60k deposit route easier than proving unearned income for 2 years
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Employment in Costa Rica (as employee of CR company)
Common Rejection Reasons
- •Income not "unearned" / truly passive
- •Insufficient 2-year income history
- •Criminal record issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a business as Rentista?+
You can own a business (as investor/shareholder) but cannot be the active operator/employee. For active business operation, use Inversionista (Investor) category.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.
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