Become a Resident in Costa Rica

The Investor Residency pathway currently begins from USD 150,000.

The investment must meet the applicable legal requirements and must be appropriately documented and verifiable.

Qualification depends on the investment structure and the evidence supporting the application.

Real estate may be used as a qualifying investment when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

Other recognized forms of investment may also be considered under Costa Rican law, subject to the applicable category, documentation and verification requirements.

Marqués evaluates each investment individually and does not represent that every investment opportunity automatically qualifies for residence.

Yes.

Marqués Advisory & Investments can assist clients in identifying and evaluating real estate and private investment opportunities in Costa Rica and coordinating those opportunities with the client’s residence planning where appropriate.

Investment eligibility for residence is evaluated separately and remains subject to applicable legal requirements, documentation and verification.

Yes. Much of the preparation can begin before the client travels to Costa Rica.

Marqués can coordinate the initial evaluation, identify the appropriate residence pathway, review investment considerations, prepare a personalized document checklist and pre-review foreign documentation remotely.

Certain immigration formalities still require physical presence in Costa Rica.

You do not necessarily need to travel to Costa Rica simply to begin preparing your residence process.

Physical presence is coordinated when required for in-country formalities, which may include fingerprint registration, immigration documentation and other procedures applicable to the individual case.

The timing and number of visits depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the requirements applicable to the case.

Common foreign documents may include a birth certificate, criminal-record certificate, marriage certificate where applicable and civil documents relating to dependent family members.

The exact requirements depend on nationality, residence category and family composition.

Marqués provides a personalized checklist before documents are obtained so that clients can prepare the correct documentation from their country of origin or residence.

Foreign public documents generally need to comply with the authentication requirements applicable for use in Costa Rica.

Depending on the issuing country, this may involve an apostille or consular legalization. Translation into Spanish may also be required.

Documents are pre-reviewed before filing to reduce the risk of incomplete or non-compliant documentation.

Fingerprint registration forms part of the Costa Rican immigration process.

Marqués coordinates the appropriate stage for completing this requirement in Costa Rica as part of the overall residence process.

Once filed, the application enters review before the Costa Rican immigration authorities.

The authorities may request additional documents, corrections or clarification during the review process.

The general sequence is:

1. Filing
2. Immigration review
3. Additional requirements if applicable
4. Approval
5. Documentation
6. DIMEX

Marqués monitors the process and coordinates responses to administrative requirements where appropriate.

No specific processing time is guaranteed.

After approval, the applicant proceeds through the applicable documentation stage.

Temporary residents must enroll in CCSS and comply with the applicable social-security requirements. Depending on the case, the documentation stage may also include government payments, completion of fingerprint requirements if still pending and issuance of the DIMEX residence identification document.

Marqués also coordinates renewal planning and ongoing residence requirements.

Yes. Once legal residence is granted, temporary residents are required to enroll in Costa Rica’s Social Security system (CCSS) and remain compliant with the applicable social-security requirements.

Marqués coordinates this stage as part of the post-approval documentation process.

A Costa Rican bank account is not necessarily a universal requirement for every residence pathway.

Whether an account is required or advisable depends on the residence category, investment structure and practical needs of the client.

Costa Rican residence does not necessarily mean that the applicant must live in the country full-time.

Immigration residence and tax residence are separate matters, and the number of days spent in Costa Rica may have tax or other legal implications depending on the individual circumstances.

Marqués evaluates the client’s mobility profile as part of the residence planning process.

Tourist status is intended for temporary visits.

Residence provides a formal immigration status in Costa Rica, greater continuity for a long-term presence and access to a DIMEX residence identification document after completion of the applicable documentation process.

For clients who expect to spend only limited periods in Costa Rica, residence may or may not be necessary. The appropriate strategy depends on the client’s mobility, investment and long-term objectives.

Not necessarily. Transferring money into Costa Rica does not by itself determine whether those funds are taxable.

Costa Rica generally applies a territorial approach to income taxation, so the tax treatment depends on the nature and source of the income and the individual circumstances of the taxpayer.

Immigration residence also does not automatically make a person a Costa Rican tax resident.

Marqués coordinates with qualified tax and legal professionals where advice is required.

Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances. Marqués Advisory & Investments does not provide tax advice.