Investor residency

Who this pathway is for

Applicants investing in an eligible Costa Rican asset, business or qualifying project who can establish ownership, value and source of funds.

Key requirements

• A qualifying investment and evidence of its ownership and accepted value.
• Investment-specific registrations, certifications, permits or project records.
• Source-of-funds evidence and standard identity and background documents.
• Confirmation of the current investment threshold and legal regime before committing funds.

What this pathway offers

• A residence route connected with an eligible investment.
• Property, business and other investment types can require different evidence.
• Eligible dependents may be assessed with the main applicant.

Important limitations

• Law 9996 introduced a US$150,000 threshold within a time-limited regime. Its five-year timing creates a material issue for new applications after July 2026; obtain current DGME confirmation.
• Buying an asset does not by itself grant residence.
• Owning a business does not automatically authorize work in it.

How the process generally works

• Confirm the correct category and current checklist for your circumstances.
• Prepare the evidence, legalizations and Spanish translations required for your case.
• Submit through the applicable consulate or DGME procedure and respond to requests.
• After approval, complete the documentation and insurance steps in the resolution.

Renewal & longer-term planning

Maintain the qualifying investment and satisfy documentation and insurance requirements.

Fees & budgeting

Government charges, document costs and any professional service fee are separate. A case-specific quote is required; no approval or processing time is guaranteed.