🇨🇷 Costa Rica Investor Residency (Inversionista)
Costa Rica's investor residency (Inversionista) is administered by the General Directorate of Immigration (DGME) and allows temporary residency through qualified investments. Under Law No. 9996, the threshold was temporarily reduced from USD 200,000 to USD 150,000 starting in 2021, with an application deadline of July 14, 2026—**this deadline has passed**. Unless the regulation is amended, the threshold is expected to revert to USD 200,000 under the original provisions (Executive Decree 37112-GOB); however, no official confirmation of the subsequent threshold or extension legislation has been found in public sources as of now. ⚠️ Before applying, be sure to confirm the current applicable amount directly with DGME or a local immigration attorney, and do not rely on the pre-deadline USD 150,000 information. Temporary residency holders may apply for permanent residency after meeting the required duration. This is a neutral compilation of public information.
Costa Rica Investor Residency (Inversionista) Key Requirements Overview
| Type | Investor Temporary Residency (may convert to Permanent Residency) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Threshold | ⚠️ Under Law No. 9996, the temporary promotion (USD 150,000) had an application deadline of 2026-07-14, which has expired; the threshold is expected to revert to the original USD 200,000 (per Executive Decree 37112-GOB), but no official follow-up confirmation is available in public sources. Please inquire directly with DGME for the current amount. |
| Primary investment methods. | Qualified investments include real estate, businesses, or government-approved projects. |
| Residency Requirements | During the temporary residency period, investment must be maintained; permanent residency can be applied for after three years. |
| Pathways to citizenship. | Application for citizenship is only possible under general naturalization regulations (including residence duration). |
| Dependent relatives | Can include spouse and dependent children (as per regulations). |
| Processing Timeline | Depending on DGME processing progress, it often takes several months. |
| Recent Changes | The application deadline (2026-07-14) for the preferential threshold of USD 150,000 under Law No. 9996 has expired; as for the subsequent threshold and whether there is extension legislation, no official confirmation is available in public sources—direct verification is necessary. |
Costa Rica Investor Residency (Inversionista) Key considerations
- ⚠️ This page previously stated that the application deadline for the USD 150,000 preferential threshold was 2026-07-14, which has passed. If the regulation is not amended, the threshold is expected to revert to USD 200,000 per the original provisions; however, no official confirmation of the subsequent threshold has been found to date. Before applying, be sure to confirm the current amount and requirements directly with DGME or a local immigration attorney, and do not rely on pre-deadline information.
- Investment must be continuously maintained during the residency period; early disposal or withdrawal may affect status.
- Residence does not equate to citizenship; naturalization follows different residency duration and conditions.
Costa Rica Investor Residency (Inversionista) Application Process
- Select a qualifying investment category and complete an investment of at least USD 150,000.
- Prepare investment proof and personal documents.
- Apply for a temporary residence as an investor with the Immigration Directorate (DGME).
- Maintaining investment and status is required, with applications for permanent residency to be made once conditions are met.
Costa Rica Investor Residency (Inversionista) Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Costa Rica investment residency threshold currently USD 150,000 or USD 200,000?
Law No. 9996 temporarily reduced the threshold to USD 150,000, with an application deadline of July 14, 2026—**this deadline has passed**. If the regulation is not amended, the threshold is expected to revert to USD 200,000 under the original provisions (Executive Decree 37112-GOB); however, as of now, there is no official confirmation from public sources regarding the subsequent threshold or whether extension legislation exists. Before applying, be sure to confirm the current amount directly with DGME or a local immigration attorney, and do not rely on the pre-deadline USD 150,000 information.
Can I obtain permanent residency immediately through investment residency?
Generally, one first obtains a temporary residence for investors, maintains the investment, and after a certain period (commonly three years in public information), may apply for permanent residency. Actual requirements are subject to DGME regulations.
How to verify if an investment immigration program is still valid and avoid misleading claims?
The conditions of investment immigration programs often change or may even be suspended. Recommendations: ① Check official announcements from the country's immigration or investment authority (official source links are provided at the bottom of this page). ② Verify the data date indicated on this page. ③ Before engaging a consultant, check whether they are registered with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., Australia's OMARA, Canada's CICC; for lawyers, check with the local bar association). ④ Be wary of exaggerated claims such as "guaranteed approval" or "exempt from review." This site provides a neutral compilation of public information, and all content is subject to the latest official announcements.
Official sources：Costa Rica Immigration Directorate (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) · Data Date：2026-07。This page is a neutral compilation of publicly available information, for reference only, notImmigration/LawAdvice; programs are subject to the latest official announcements.