Costa Rica investor temporary residence

Eligibility and legal basis

Law 8764, articles 79–80, and Executive Decree 43926 of 14 February 2023, articles 4–6, govern the investor route; Law 9996 of 5 July 2021 supplies the incentives framework. [DGME / PGR]

Key facts

General requirements

1. Prepare a signed category-specific request explaining your circumstances and the permission sought; use the current DGME form or accepted application format. Give a clear address for notifications and retain a complete copy of the submission. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
2. Provide the passport original for verification and a complete legible copy as required. Document lawful entry and any consular or restricted visa required for your nationality; entry permission and residence approval are separate decisions. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
3. Obtain birth and criminal-record certificates from the jurisdictions required by DGME. Verify the accepted issuing authority, recent residence history and document validity before ordering certificates, rather than assuming every country uses the same rule. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
4. Supply photographs in the current required format. Confirm whether fingerprint registration, registration with your consulate and additional identity evidence apply to your age, nationality and place of filing. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
5. Provide official payment receipts and the original evidence supporting the selected immigration category. Check current CAJA affiliation and contribution requirements for temporary residents; no universal exemption or local work authorization is assumed. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

Category-specific evidence

1. Evidence at least USD 150,000 in a qualifying personal investment. Current Decree 43926 lists titled real estate, registrable movable assets, shares, securities and qualifying productive projects; venture capital and sustainable tourism are subject to their specific conditions. Not every purchase or company expense qualifies. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
2. For real estate, prove registered title, ownership and the qualifying registered value. Disclose encumbrances and the origin of funds; a reservation, asking price or agent brochure is not a substitute for the DGME certificate checklist. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
3. For shares, substantiate paid capital and your shareholding through certified corporate records. For other investment types, obtain the category’s appropriate registrations and certificates. Where a trust is used, only the qualifying settlor-investor can rely on that investment under the regulation. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
4. Maintain the qualifying investment continuously. The temporary authorization is generally issued for two years and is renewable subject to continued compliance; selling or reducing the investment can undermine renewal. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

Conditional documents and dependents

1. For eligible family members, confirm the relationship, age and dependency criteria before including them; provide marriage or birth certificates and any required dependency, custody or disability evidence. A principal applicant’s eligibility does not automatically approve the whole family. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
2. Foreign public documents require apostille or consular legalization where applicable and an accepted Spanish translation. Match names and passport numbers throughout; resolve discrepancies before submission. Confirm validity at the filing date with DGME. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
3. If a representative files, supply a valid power of attorney. Additional documents may be requested after review; respond within the notified deadline and keep the category’s financial evidence current. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

Application process

1. Assess eligibility and your nationality’s entry rules before committing funds or travelling. Choose temporary residence or the distinct digital-nomad estancia on its actual conditions, not on marketing claims. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
2. Verify the current checklist with DGME, assemble authenticated originals and translations, and submit through the accepted channel. Keep your receipt and track notifications; a filed application is not an approved permit. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
3. Answer requests for clarification or additional evidence. Following approval, complete documentation, insurance or CAJA steps as applicable and pay the remaining official charges. Do not assume approval grants unrestricted work. [DGME / PGR / ICT]
4. Plan renewal before the authorized period expires. Keep investment, income or pension evidence current; for nomads check the separate presence requirement. Permanent residence and naturalization have their own conditions and are never automatic. [DGME / PGR / ICT]

Frequently asked questions

Is USD 200,000 the current threshold?

The cited current Decree 43926 uses USD 150,000 for qualifying investments. Do not apply the superseded USD 200,000 rule without checking the current DGME requirements.

Does buying property guarantee approval?

No. Qualifying value, ownership, lawful funding and a complete immigration application must be established; DGME decides.

Are tax incentives still available in October 2026?

This guide does not confirm continued tax relief. Law 9996’s time-limited incentives require separate current verification; residence eligibility and tax exemption are distinct.

Official sources

• https://www.migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/Leyes/Ley%20General%20de%20Migraci%C3%B3n%20y%20Extranjer%C3%ADa%208764.pdf
• https://www.pgrweb.go.cr/DOCS/NORMAS/1/VIGENTE/D/2020-2029/2020-2024/2023/1825D/158B0A.HTML
• https://costaricanembassy.uk/es/categorias-de-residencia/
• https://www.asamblea.go.cr/sd/Lists/Archivo_Leyes/DispForm.aspx?ContentTypeId=0x010027F4CF5CCAE4F047BABD7F5711AD329C&ID=1438