RESIDENCY AND LIVING HERE

The four most common types of applications and their corresponding qualification requirement are:

Retiree ("Pensionado") Must show proof of monthly income from a qualified pension plan (which include amongst others: local, state and Federal government pensions, Canadian Old Age Pension System, U.S. Social Security Administration benefits, private pension plans, school district pension, etc.) of at least US$600 per month. To be a qualified plan, the pension must be payable to the resident applicant "for life."Please note that a married couple needs to show proof of only one (1) monthly pension of at least US$600 for both husband and wife to apply for residency. The pension recipient can be either spouse..

Legal resident ("Rentista") Unmarried Applicants: Must show proof of at least US$1,000 monthly income from interest or dividends and that its payment to the applicant is guaranteed for the next 60 months (5 years).Married Applicants & Dependant Children: Under the 2005 Immigration Reform Law married applicants must show proof of at least US$1,000 monthly income per spouse, or US$2,000 per couple. Additionally, the parents must show proof of income of at least US$500 month for each qualifying child. For example, a family consisting of four members (the father, mother and two minor children) will need to show proof of income in the amount of at least US$3,000 per month in order to qualify to apply for residency under the Rentista Program.

Business/Investor (Inversionista") The Inversionista Program has three levels of investment based according to the business activity to be undertaken: -- US$50,000: "Key" industries including tourism and export of Costa Rican products -- US$100,000: Certain pre-approved reforestation projects -- US$200,000: All other types of businesses (retail, manufacturing, farming, etc.)

Married to or Relationship to Costa Rican Citizen - "Vínculo" Program. Must prove a relationship in the first degree, either by marriage or blood, to a Costa Rican citizen, and the Costa Rican citizen must be willing to sponsor the applicant's residency. The Vínculo Program includes applications for a spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, and unmarried brother or sister, but does not include grandparents, uncles or aunts.

Other Programs- Temporary residency: Residency in Costa Rica can also assist you with the preparation, organization and submission of the documents required to obtain your temporary residency in Costa Rica as: Employee or representative of foreign company working in Costa Rica, including: executive level personnel, technical and professional staff.

Basic Documents Required for All Applicants: • Birth Certificate -- certified and authenticated copy • Police Clearance Letter -- not older than Six (6) months -- notarized and authenticated • Current Passport • Eight recent passport-type photographs • If spouse is also applying: Marriage Certificate -- certified and authenticated copy • Pensionado and Rentistas: Proof of Income Letter -- notarized and authenticated