MORE ABOUT Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Independent Means Visas

The Independent Means Visa in Costa Rica, also known as the Costa Rica Retirement Visa or the Pensionado Visa, offers temporary residency to qualified individuals who can demonstrate a stable passive income from foreign sources.

MOBILITY ASSSET SNAPSHOT

Discover Independent Means Visa in Costa Rica

The Independent Means Visa program in Costa Rica provides a pathway to temporary residency for individuals with stable foreign-sourced passive income. This program is designed to attract retirees, investors, and other individuals looking to establish residency in a Central American paradise known for its natural beauty and high quality of life.

Costa Rica
Mobility Asset Index Score
73.50%
Mobilità Tipo di risorsa
Visti di Mezzi Indipendenti
Official Name
Visto Rentista
Launched in:
2010
Online Submission:
Residency Privileges
(in months)
24
Adjudication Time
(in months)
5
Minimum Stay Requirement
(in days)
1
In-Country Presence Requirement
(in months)
6

Panoramica

A Snapshot of Independent Means Visa in Costa Rica

A route to temporary residency for qualified individuals with passive income in Costa Rica

Requisiti di idoneità

Individuals with passive income from a foreign source

Restrizioni degli antenati di ancoraggio

Mesi alla cittadinanza

Durata del visto

Temporary residency, renewable every 2 years

Mesi al visto

2-3 months

Requisito della presenza fisica

4 months per year

Disponibilità

Alto

Assegno familiare

Coniuge e figli

Panoramica

How to Apply for the Independent Means Visa in Costa Rica

Submit application in person at the Costa Rican Immigration Office or through a licensed attorney

Panoramica

Discover How GlobalPassport Simplifies the Application Process for Costa Rica's Independent Means Visas

Guida passo dopo passo

Il nostro team di esperti vi guiderà in ogni fase del processo di candidatura, offrendovi un'assistenza personalizzata e adatta alle vostre esigenze.

Preparazione del documento

Vi aiuteremo a raccogliere e organizzare i documenti necessari per fare domanda.

Presentazione della domanda

Una volta pronti i documenti, vi comunicheremo dove e come presentare la domanda alle autorità competenti.

Domande?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

How long does it take to process an Independent Means Visa application?

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Can I include my family members in my Independent Means Visa application?

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What types of income qualify as passive income?

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How often do I need to renew my residency permit?

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Can Independent Means Visa holders apply for Costa Rican citizenship?

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benefits

Benefits of Independent Means Visa in Costa Rica

Independent Means Visa in Costa Rica

The program offers numerous advantages for individuals looking to establish their presence in Costa Rica's tropical paradise.

  • Fast-track to temporary residency for you and your immediate family
  • Access to Costa Rica's public healthcare system (Caja)
  • Potential pathway to permanent residency after 3 years

Stable democracy

High quality of life

Beautiful natural environment

Low monthly income requirement

No minimum investment required

Online Submission Allowed

Paesi in cui si viaggia senza visto

129

Passport Validity

10 years

Access to newly-joined Schengen Area

Ability to live and work in any EU country

Preservation of Croatian cultural heritage

Program Stability

Minimal Physical Presence Requirement

No Generational Limit to claim citizenship

Paesi in cui si viaggia senza visto

151

Passport Validity

10 years

Panoramica

Why Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers a stable democracy, excellent healthcare, and a commitment to environmental sustainability.

Vantaggi:

  • High-quality public healthcare system
  • No tax on foreign-source income
  • Beautiful beaches and lush rainforests

Vantaggi:

  • Stable political environment
  • Friendly local culture
  • High standard of living

Domande?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

How long does it take to process an Independent Means Visa application?

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Can I include my family members in my Independent Means Visa application?

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What types of income qualify as passive income?

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How often do I need to renew my residency permit?

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Can Independent Means Visa holders apply for Costa Rican citizenship?

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REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Costa Rica - Independent Means Visas

Check if you qualify based on your family history

Direct Ancestral Connection

Not applicable

Documentation

Minimum Income or Savings: Pensions, Investments, Rental income+Regular Income Stream: Monthly pension payments, Annuities, Proof of Financial Independence

Unbroken Chain of Citizenship

Not applicable

Legal Compliance

Criminal Record: A clean criminal record is required

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Costa Rica's Independent Means Visa

To qualify for the Independent Means Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria demonstrating their stable passive income.

  • Prove a monthly passive income of at least US$2,500 from foreign sources
  • Demonstrate that the income is stable and guaranteed for at least 2 years
  • Be able to transfer the income to a local bank in Costa Rica
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Contribute to the Costa Rican Social Security system (Caja)
  • Reside in Costa Rica for at least 4 months per year

PROCESS

Independent Means Visas Process

#1

Initial Assessment

• Verify passive income sources

• Confirm income thresholds

• Review healthcare requirements

• Complete financial documentation

#2

Selection Phase

• Choose destination country

• Review residency requirements

• Assess tax implications

• Select optimal visa category

#3

Application Preparation

• Gather proof of income

• Obtain health insurance

• Prepare bank statements

• Complete background verification

#4

Submission

• Submit residency application

• Pay visa fees

• Schedule interview (if required)

• Provide biometric data

#5

Residency Setup

• Receive residency permit

• Register with local authorities

• Set up banking/utilities

• Complete residency registration

Start now by taking our free assessment

START ASSESSMENT

PROCESS

Timeline for Costa Rica - Independent Means Visas

DOCUMENTS

Documents Needed for Costa Rica - Independent Means Visas

Important Notes
• All documents must be original or certified copies
• Non-English documents require certified translations
• Documents must be apostilled where applicable
Personal Identification Documents
Core identity documents required from the applicantis is some text inside of a div block.

Passport+Biometrics

Documenti dei registri vitali
Birth, marriage, and death certificates from applicant and ancestors

Marriage certificate and birth certificates of dependents (if applicable)

Proof of Residence Documents
Evidence of current residence status

Not applicable

Criminal Clearance Documents
Background check documentation

Criminal Record: A clean criminal record is required, confirmed through a police clearance certificate from the applicant's country of origin and any country of residence in the past 3 years.

Financial Documents
Proof of payment and financial requirements

Applicants must prove they can support themselves without working in Costa Rica

DOCUMENTS

Costs Associated with Costa Rica - Independent Means Visas

Pre-Application Costs
Essential document preparation and verification costs

Birth certificates from government archives; Marriage certificates for family dependencies; Police clearance records from current and past residences

Certified translations into official language(s); Apostille certification; Government-issued document legalization

Diploma and transcript verification; Professional certification authentication; Credential evaluation services

Government Application Fees
Official fees charged by government authorities

Initial application submission fee; Processing and handling charges; Administrative review fees

$250

Fingerprint collection fee; Digital photograph requirements; Biometric data processing

Required medical examinations; Vaccination verification; Health certificate processing

Post-Submission Costs
Costs after submitting your application

Document verification fees; Background check processing; Application status updates

Consulate visit expenses; Interview travel costs; Temporary accommodation (if required)

Language proficiency testing; Skills assessment fees; Additional document requests

Professional Services
Optional external support services

Immigration lawyer consultation; Document review services; Legal representation fees

Tax planning consultation; Asset transfer advisory; Investment planning services

Relocation services; Property search assistance; Settlement support services

Post-Acceptance Costs
Costs after approval

Residency card processing; Passport issuance fees; Registration certificates

Oath ceremony fees; Registration charges; Local authority fees

Renewal fees; Status maintenance costs; Annual reporting fees

Rankings

GlobalPassport™ Mobility Asset Index

31

Classifica generale

Cost

Based on application fee

Residency Requirements

Based on residency requirements

Residency Privileges Length

Based on programs’s term

Processing Speed

Based on estimated processing time

Requisiti di idoneità

Based on entry requirements

Program Stability

Based on years of activity

Time to Permanent Residency

Based on permanent residency timeline

Rankings

Global Rankings/ Comparisions

Safety

Costa Rica

58

Costo della vita

Costa Rica

33

Quality of Life

Costa Rica

50

Healthcare Quality

Costa Rica

62

Internet Speed

Costa Rica

48

Human Freedom

Costa Rica

29

Discover More About Costa Rica

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