Patrick W. Says:
How long can an American citizen stay in Costa Rica as a resident?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Patrick,
Entering Costa Rica as a tourist, you can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Once you are a resident, there is no limit; you have the right to live in Costa Rica.
There are various ways to apply for residency in Costa Rica. You can find information at the General Directorate of Migration and Aliens (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería).
We also break down your visa and residency options in Chapter 5 of the Escape to Costa Rica guidebook, available on the IL Bookstore. The information is in English and much easier to follow than any government website.
If you plan to stay in Costa Rica, figure out which migratory category fits your living conditions and start the paperwork.
For the residency process, you need to collect documents from U.S. governmental agencies, get them authenticated with apostilles, and have them translated by a certified translator. It’s a process which, while not difficult, can be time-consuming and tricky at times. It’s much more doable if you speak Spanish or have a friend who does and can help.
During my residency paperwork, I realized how requirements often changed, depending on who I was talking to. This annoyance could cause frustration, but I’ve worked with many helpful people in government agencies. Some workers have even given me their email or phone number to check up on documents.
I went through the residency process while pregnant with my twins in 2010. I started the process because I married a local, but when my children were born in Costa Rica, I became a resident through them. (A woman in migracion told me about this option.)
Another option for staying in Costa Rica for an extended time is the digital nomad visa. This new visa is valid for a year, so it’s a great way to “try out” life here. It gives you plenty of advantages over a tourist visa, including the ability to open a bank account. Plus, you can import any equipment needed to work remotely, tax free.
The digital nomad visa is also covered in more detail in Chapter 5 of Escape to Costa Rica.
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