Permanent residency

Who this pathway is for

Eligible temporary residents after three consecutive years, certain qualifying relatives of Costa Rican citizens, and other applicants expressly covered by law.

Key requirements

• Evidence of the qualifying residence history or direct qualifying family link.
• Current identification and category-specific supporting records.
• Applicable continuous CCSS coverage and required payments.
• Any additional records DGME requires for the category change.

What this pathway offers

• An indefinite residence status.
• Broader access to local work once approved.
• A separate route from citizenship, with its own requirements.

Important limitations

• Three years on a tourist entry or digital nomad estancia is not three years of temporary residency.
• The residence card still expires and must be renewed.
• Permanent residence is not citizenship.

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

Renew the DIMEX identity document before it expires and maintain the conditions of permanent status.

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.