Obtaining an investor visa for Costa Rica allows you to reside and work permanently in this Central American nation, making it an attractive option for foreigners interested in taking advantage of the country’s strong economy. If you are considering starting a business in Costa Rica or investing in its import/export or real estate sectors, obtaining an investor visa for Costa Rica is a crucial step in facilitating your plans and ensuring legal compliance.
Learn how your investment in Costa Rica can provide you with the opportunity to gain residency in one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America for foreign investment.
Key Takeaways: Costa Rica Investor Visa (Inversionista)
| Topic | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Amount | USD $150,000 (as of Law 9996, 2021) in real estate, business, securities, or USD $100,000 in forestry |
| Golden Visa Type | Temporary residency permit, renewable every 2 years |
| Processing Time | 90 days for application review, 3-6 months total including documentation |
| Residency Requirements | Minimum 1 day per year in Costa Rica to maintain status |
| Path to Permanent Residency | After 3 consecutive years with any temporary residence permit |
| Path to Citizenship | After 7 years (5 years for certain nationalities), plus Spanish language and civics exams |
| CAJA Social Security | Mandatory enrollment, approximately USD $125-300/month based on declared income |
| Tax Benefits | Territorial tax system – no taxes on foreign-sourced income |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse and children under 25 can be included |
| Due Diligence Period | Enhanced background checks required, including apostilled criminal records |
An investor visa in Costa Rica: why invest?
Costa Rica has a strategic geographic location, with ease of access to markets in North and South America.
It is also a safe country, with some of the lowest crime and violence statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Moreover, the country has a booming tourism sector which accounts for nearly 6 percent of the country’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), meaning it is set up to cater to foreigners and has one of the highest levels of English proficiency in the region. Other major sectors of the economy include medical supply, agriculture, and IT services.
Costa Rica’s economy has shown consistent growth over recent years, with GDP increasing by close to 3 percent annually during the past decade, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country also maintains a favorable tax regime for foreigners, based on the principle of territoriality, meaning you will not be taxed on earnings generated outside Costa Rica.
The country maintains strong trading links with the United States and is also part of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) along with the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
How Can I Get an Investor Visa?
To obtain an Investor Visa in Costa Rica, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – Investment Amount: To qualify, you need to invest US$200,000. This investment can be in an active business, real estate, stocks or securities, or forest plantations (with a minimum investment of US$100,000).
- Step 2 – Application Process: Submit your application for the Costa Rica Investor Visa at the General Directorate of Immigration in Costa Rica.
- Step 3 – Visa Validity and Renewal: The Investor Visa is valid for 2 years. You can renew it if you maintain your investment. For renewal, you need to prove that you have lived in Costa Rica for at least 6 months each year, either continuously or intermittently.
- Step 4 – Permanent Residency: After residing legally in Costa Rica for 3 or more years with any temporary residence permit, you may be eligible for permanent residency.
Costa Rica Investor Visa Processing Times
Application Timeline
- Document preparation: 4-6 weeks
- Consular submission: 2-4 weeks
- DGME review: 90 days (official timeframe)
- CAJA registration: 2-3 weeks
- Total process: 3-6 months
Factors Affecting Processing Speed
- Document authentication delays
- Incomplete application submissions
- CAJA interview scheduling
- Investment verification requirements
What are the Requirements for an investor visa in Costa Rica?
Anyone interested in getting an investor visa for Costa Rica must meet the following requirements:
- Make a minimum investment of $150,000 (USD), after the Costa Rican government slashed the minimum investment needed in August 2021.
Typical paperwork and documentation required for obtaining an investor visa include:
- A 2×2 inch headshot of yourself
- The receipt of payment of applicable fees
- Your passport
- A record of your fingerprints
- A copy of your birth certificate
- A marriage certificate if applicable
Mandatory CAJA Social Security Registration
All Costa Rica investor visa holders must enroll in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CAJA), the national social security system. This requirement applies regardless of whether you plan to use public healthcare services.
CAJA Contribution Requirements
- Investors: Based on minimum USD $2,500 monthly income declaration
- Monthly cost: Approximately USD $125-300 depending on declared income
- Coverage: Includes healthcare, maternity benefits, and pension contributions
- Family coverage: Spouse can be included on the same plan
Registration Process
- Obtain temporary residency approval
- Schedule CAJA interview at local office
- Provide income verification and apostilled marriage certificate
- Complete voluntary insurance (Asegurado Voluntario) application
- Begin monthly contributions before receiving residence card
What should I do After obtaining my visa?
Before getting an investor visa for Costa Rica, your investment must be approved by the Costa Rican government and your request can take up to two months to process. The visa will be filed as a temporary residence permit. If you are approved for an investor visa and live in Costa Rica, after three years you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
To maintain your status, you must be present in the country for a minimum of 72 hours every year. Dual citizenship is permitted for citizens from certain countries, including the United States and Canada, making an investors’ visa a popular option for individuals from these countries.
Frequently asked questions when applying for a visa in Costa Rica
Based on our experience these are the common questions and doubts of our clients.
What is Costa Rica’s Golden Visa program called?
It is officially the “Inversionista” residency. The permit grants two-year temporary residence, leading to permanent residence after three years and eligibility for citizenship after seven.
What are the current investment requirements for 2025?
Costa Rica Immigration Law 9996 sets a minimum of US $150,000 for real estate, business equity, or securities, or US $100,000 for government-approved forestry projects.
How long does the investor visa process take?
Plan on three to six months: up to 90 days for government review plus time for document prep, investment registration, and CAJA enrolment.
Is CAJA social security mandatory for investors?
Yes. Enrollment in CAJA is compulsory; monthly contributions generally run US $125–300, depending on the income you declare.
Can I get a Costa Rican passport through investment?
Yes. After seven years of continuous investor residence (five for select Central American and Ibero-American nationals) you may naturalize and obtain a Costa Rican passport.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent residency?
Temporary residency lasts two years and is renewable. After three consecutive years you may upgrade to permanent residency, which never expires and has no renewal fees.
Do I need to live in Costa Rica full-time?
No. To keep your residency active you need to be physically present in Costa Rica at least one day per year.
What documents need apostille authentication?
All foreign documents—birth and marriage certificates, criminal background checks, university diplomas, etc.—must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
Can my family be included in the application?
Yes. A spouse and children under 25 (or older dependent children) may be added, each providing the same apostilled documents.
What are the tax implications for investors?
Costa Rica runs a territorial tax system; only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed. Foreign-sourced income remains exempt.
What types of real estate qualify for investment?
Any titled residential, commercial, or agricultural property qualifies, provided a certified appraisal confirms the minimum US $150 k value.
How often do I need to renew my investor visa?
Temporary investor residence is renewed every two years; you must still hold the qualifying investment and have visited Costa Rica at least once during each period.
What happens if I sell my investment property?
You must reinvest an equal or greater amount into another qualifying asset; otherwise your residency may be cancelled at renewal.
Are there any restricted investment sectors?
Yes. Regulated areas such as telecommunications and public utilities have foreign-ownership limits. Seek local legal advice before investing in protected sectors.
What is the difference between Rentista and Investor visas?
Rentista residency hinges on proving passive income of at least US $2,500 per month. Investor residency requires a one-time US $150 k investment. Both confer the same residency rights and pathways to permanent status.
Interested in obtaining your Costa Rican investor visa?
At Biz Latin Hub, we provide a full range of back-office support services to help in your expansion into Costa Rica. As well as visa processing, our multilingual team of legal and accounting specialists can assist you with company incorporation, recruitment, due diligence, and tax advice in Costa Rica.
Contact us for more information about commercial opportunities in Costa Rica.
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