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Costa Rica does not offer direct citizenship by investment, but provides a well-established investor residency program often called a "Golden Visa" with minimum investments starting at $100,000 USD. This program creates a pathway to residency and eventually full citizenship through naturalization after seven years of legal residency.
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Costa Rica's investor residency program requires minimum investments of $150,000 USD for real estate or business ventures, $100,000 USD for forestry projects, with a pathway to citizenship after 7 years of legal residency.
The program offers temporary residency for 2 years (renewable), includes family members, and requires maintaining the investment plus spending at least one day per year in Costa Rica.
| Investment Type | Minimum Amount (USD) | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | $150,000 | Clear title, no liens, registered in applicant's name |
| Business Investment | $150,000 | Feasibility study for new ventures, financial proof for existing |
| Stock Market/Securities | $150,000 | Certified by public notary |
| Forestry Projects | $100,000 | Environmental permits required |
| Processing Time | 6-12 months | Bureaucratic delays common |
| Residency Duration | 2 years (renewable) | Must visit Costa Rica at least 1 day/year |
| Path to Citizenship | 7 years | Spanish proficiency and civic knowledge test required |
Does Costa Rica offer a citizenship-by-investment program or Golden Visa option?
Costa Rica does not provide direct citizenship by investment but operates a well-established investor residency program commonly referred to as a "Golden Visa."
The official program is called the Inversionista (Investor) Visa and grants temporary residency rather than immediate citizenship. This residency serves as a stepping stone toward eventual citizenship through naturalization after meeting specific time and legal requirements.
As of September 2025, this program remains one of the most accessible investor residency options in Central America, with multiple investment pathways and relatively straightforward requirements compared to similar programs in other countries.
The program has been successfully operating for several years, providing thousands of foreign investors with legal residency status in Costa Rica.
How does the residency through investment process work in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's investor residency program requires making a qualifying investment and maintaining it throughout your residency period.
The process begins with selecting one of four approved investment categories: real estate, business ventures, stock market securities, or forestry projects. You must make the investment first, then apply for residency with proof of the completed investment.
Once approved, you receive temporary residency valid for two years. To maintain this status, you must visit Costa Rica at least once per year and keep your investment active. After two years, you can renew your temporary residency for another two-year period.
After three years of temporary residency, you become eligible for permanent residency if you spend at least 183 days per year in Costa Rica. Following seven years of legal residency, you can apply for Costa Rican citizenship through naturalization.
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What are the minimum investment amounts for each qualifying route?
| Investment Category | Minimum Amount (USD) | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate/Personal Property | $150,000 | Clear title, no liens, registered in applicant's name |
| Business/Commercial Investment | $150,000 | Feasibility study for new businesses, financial proof for existing |
| Stock Market/Securities | $150,000 | Must be certified by public notary |
| Forestry Projects | $100,000 | Environmental permits and SETENA approval required |
| Government Filing Fee | $250 | Per application (main applicant) |
What are the specific conditions for real estate investment options?
Real estate investments for Costa Rica's investor residency must meet strict ownership and valuation requirements.
The property must be titled directly in your name, not through a corporation or trust structure. This means you need full, personal ownership of the real estate asset. The property cannot have any mortgages, liens, or encumbrances at the time of application.
The $150,000 minimum investment must be based on the property's declared municipal value, not the purchase price you paid. This municipal valuation is the official assessed value used by local authorities for tax purposes.
The property must be insurable and registered in Costa Rica's National Registry. You'll need to provide municipal certifications and official documentation proving the property's value and your clear ownership.
Residential properties, commercial buildings, and land parcels all qualify, but the investment cannot be in hotel or industrial real estate projects.
What are the requirements for business or commercial investment routes?
Business investments in Costa Rica require either establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing profitable operation.
For new businesses, you must provide a certified feasibility study prepared by a qualified professional, demonstrate the business registration process, and show CPA-verified financial documentation. The business must be legally established in Costa Rica and operate within the country's regulatory framework.
For existing business acquisitions, you need proof that the company has ongoing operations and certified financial statements showing the business's health and profitability. The $150,000 investment must represent actual capital injection into the business, not just purchase of shares or assets.
Manufacturing, services, technology, and export businesses typically qualify, while businesses primarily serving tourists or operating in restricted sectors may face additional scrutiny.
All business investments require proper registration with Costa Rican commercial authorities and compliance with local tax and employment regulations.
What documents and proof are needed for the application?
1. **Personal Documentation** - Valid passport with latest entry stamp copy - Apostilled birth certificate - Apostilled marriage certificate (if applicable) - Police clearance certificate (apostilled from home country)2. **Investment Proof** - Notarized and certified proof of qualifying investment - Municipal certifications for real estate purchases - Feasibility reports and business registration for commercial investments - Public notary certification for securities investments3. **Application Materials** - Formal application letter written in Spanish - Government filing fee payment ($250 USD) - All foreign documents translated into Spanish by certified translators4. **Post-Approval Requirements** - Health insurance coverage (private or Costa Rican CCSS) - Social security registration with Caja - Costa Rican ID card (DIMEX) application5. **Supporting Evidence** - Proof of financial means beyond the investment amount - Clean criminal background verification - Medical examination results (sometimes required)How long does the residency permit last and what are renewal conditions?
Costa Rica's investor residency permit provides temporary residency status valid for exactly two years from the approval date.
Renewal requires proving that you've maintained your qualifying investment throughout the initial two-year period and have complied with the minimum presence requirement of visiting Costa Rica at least once per year. You must also show current social security registration and health insurance coverage.
Each renewal extends your temporary residency for another two years. After three years of temporary residency, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency, provided you've spent at least 183 days per year in Costa Rica during this period.
Permanent residency eliminates the need for renewals and reduces the annual presence requirement. However, you must still maintain your original investment or demonstrate alternative income sources to qualify for permanent status.
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Is there a clear path from residency by investment to full citizenship?
Costa Rica provides a definitive pathway from investor residency to full citizenship through naturalization after seven years of legal residency.
The citizenship application requires demonstrating continuous legal residency for seven consecutive years, Spanish language proficiency, and passing a basic knowledge test about Costa Rican culture, history, and civic principles. You must also show that you've maintained good standing with tax and social security obligations.
Citizenship is not automatically granted after seven years—you must formally apply through Costa Rica's immigration authorities and meet all naturalization requirements. The process typically takes 6-12 months for review and approval.
Costa Rican citizenship allows dual nationality in most cases, meaning you can retain your original citizenship while gaining full Costa Rican rights including voting, passport privileges, and unrestricted property ownership.
It's something we develop in our Costa Rica property pack.
Can family members be included in the investment residency application?
Costa Rica's investor residency program allows you to include your spouse and dependent children under 25 years old in your primary application.
Family members receive the same residency status and benefits as the main applicant, including the ability to work, study, and access healthcare in Costa Rica. They must also comply with the same presence requirements and renewal conditions.
Spouses need apostilled marriage certificates, while children require apostilled birth certificates proving their relationship to the main applicant. All family members must provide police clearance certificates and pass background checks.
The $150,000 minimum investment covers the entire family—you don't need separate investments for each family member. However, each family member may require additional documentation fees and processing costs beyond the primary $250 application fee.
Adult children over 25 must apply separately with their own qualifying investments unless they can prove continued dependency due to disability or full-time student status.
What are the exact steps in the application process from start to finish?
1. **Pre-Application Phase (2-4 months)** - Select and complete qualifying investment - Gather all required personal documents - Obtain apostilles and certified translations - Arrange legal representation in Costa Rica2. **Investment Completion** - Transfer funds and complete property purchase or business investment - Register investments with appropriate Costa Rican authorities - Obtain municipal certifications and notarized investment proof3. **Application Submission** - Prepare formal application letter in Spanish - Submit complete documentation package to Immigration Department - Pay $250 government filing fee - Receive application receipt and tracking number4. **Processing Period (6-12 months)** - Immigration review of documentation and investment verification - Possible requests for additional information or clarification - Background checks and investment auditing5. **Approval and Post-Approval Steps** - Receive residency approval notification - Register for Costa Rican social security (CCSS) - Obtain health insurance coverage - Apply for Costa Rican ID card (DIMEX) - Begin compliance with annual presence requirements
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What feedback exists from people who successfully obtained residency?
Successful applicants consistently praise Costa Rica's investor residency program for its accessibility compared to similar programs in other countries.
Many highlight the program's multiple investment options as a major advantage, allowing them to choose between real estate, business ventures, or securities based on their expertise and preferences. The ability to include family members in a single application receives frequent positive mentions.
Investors particularly appreciate Costa Rica's stable political environment, established expat communities, and proximity to the United States. Real estate investors often mention the strong property markets in areas like Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, and the Central Valley as additional benefits beyond residency status.
Long-term residents report satisfaction with the eventual path to citizenship and the practical benefits of Costa Rican residency, including access to healthcare, education, and business opportunities in Central America.
However, successful applicants emphasize the critical importance of professional legal assistance, thorough document preparation, and patience with bureaucratic processes throughout the application period.
What problems or pitfalls have unsuccessful applicants reported?
The most common cause of application failure is incomplete or incorrectly prepared documentation, particularly issues with apostilles, translations, and investment proof.
Many applicants underestimate the complexity of Costa Rican bureaucracy and attempt to handle applications without qualified legal representation. This often results in delays, rejections, or requests for additional documentation that could have been avoided with proper guidance.
Real estate investors frequently encounter problems when their properties have unclear titles, existing liens, or municipal valuations below the $150,000 threshold. Some discover too late that their intended property purchases don't qualify for residency purposes.
Business investment applicants often fail due to inadequate feasibility studies, insufficient proof of capital injection, or choosing business sectors that face additional regulatory scrutiny. Incomplete business registration documentation is another common pitfall.
Applicants who fail to maintain compliance after approval—such as not visiting Costa Rica annually or letting social security registration lapse—jeopardize their renewal opportunities and permanent residency eligibility.
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What are the ongoing compliance requirements after approval?
Costa Rica's investor residency requires strict ongoing compliance with presence, investment, and administrative requirements.
You must visit Costa Rica at least once every 365 days to maintain temporary residency status. Missing this requirement can result in residency cancellation and require starting the application process from the beginning.
Your qualifying investment must remain active and at the minimum threshold throughout your residency period. For real estate, this means maintaining ownership without liens or encumbrances. For business investments, you must show continued operation and financial viability.
Social security registration (Caja) must stay current with regular payments, and you must maintain health insurance coverage either through private insurance or the Costa Rican social security system.
Tax compliance becomes mandatory once you spend more than 183 days per year in Costa Rica, requiring annual tax filings and payment of any obligations to Costa Rican authorities.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Costa Rica's investor residency program offers a legitimate pathway to eventual citizenship for foreign investors willing to commit $100,000-$150,000 USD and navigate the documentation requirements.
Success depends heavily on proper legal guidance, thorough document preparation, and maintaining long-term compliance with investment and presence requirements throughout the residency period.
Sources
- Henley Global - Costa Rica Residence by Investment
- Golden Visas - Costa Rica Investment Program
- CitizenX - Costa Rica Golden Visa Guide
- Magnolia - Costa Rica Real Estate Investment Residency Guide
- Citizen Remote - Costa Rica Investor Residency
- Harvey Law Corporation - Costa Rica Residency Permit
- My Golden Visa - Costa Rica Investor Visa Guide
- IMI Daily - Costa Rica Investor Visa
- Golden Harbors - Costa Rica Residency
- Company Formation Costa Rica - Citizenship by Investment