At ERP Lawyers & Associates we provide advice in immigration law, such as applications to obtain residency, adjusting to the requirements of each of the different existing categories, as in this case that of Pensioned Resident.

For different reasons, such as legal security, natural beauty, democracy, education, access to infrastructure, health services, among others, Costa Rica has become not only a tourist destination but also a home for many foreigners who decide to settle temporarily or permanently.

At the moment of making this decision, it is very important to seek advice to ensure that the whole process is carried out in accordance with and covering each and every one of the needs of each person.

Specifically, regarding Immigration, there are general immigration requirements established in our legislation, which apply to all the different categories of residence. These requirements are:

a. Residency Application
b. Affiliation form.
c. Birth certificate duly apostilled or legalized.
d. Certificate of criminal record duly apostilled or legalized. This certificate will be valid for six months, unless the document expressly indicates another term of validity.
e. Marriage certificate duly apostilled or legalized. This requirement applies only in cases where the applicant wishes to include his/her spouse as a dependent. If there are minor children, the birth certificate of each of them must also be presented.
f. Fingerprinting.
g. Six recent passport-size photographs.
h. Consular Registration.
i. Certified copy of all pages of the passport.
j. Proof of government payments.
k. Official translation of all documents issued in a language other than Spanish.

In regard to applying to the category of residence as pensioner, the specific requirement is to have a monthly and permanent pension for the minimum amount of USD $1,000.00, which gives the foreigner the right to request together with his/her family nucleus the category of Temporary Resident as Pensioner. This must be certified by the authority or institution that provides the pension, and it must be apostilled and translated into Spanish in case it is issued in another language.

If you are interested in enjoying your pension in Costa Rica, and/or have doubts or questions regarding the requirements and the process, we invite you to contact us by e-mail at info@erplawyer.com, where we will gladly answer your query.