Secure legal residency in Costa Rica by putting capital to work — through real estate, a business, securities, or other qualifying investments.
What Is the Costa Rica Inversionista Visa?
The Costa Rica Inversionista Visa is the country’s investor residency category, designed for foreign nationals who
want legal residency in Costa Rica through a qualifying capital investment rather than passive income or a pension.
It is the most capital-forward of Costa Rica’s three main income-based residency options, and the most natural fit
for entrepreneurs, property buyers, and investors who want their residency tied to a tangible asset in the country.
Like the Rentista and Pensionado, the Inversionista grants temporary residency first, with permanent residency
available after three years and citizenship after seven. The investment must be maintained throughout the temporary
residency period.
Important threshold note: The current $150,000 minimum investment was established under Law 9996 in 2021, which
reduced it from the previous $200,000 floor. That law contains sunset provisions, and the $150,000 threshold is
expected to revert to $200,000 after July 14, 2026 unless the National Assembly passes renewal legislation. If you
are targeting the lower threshold, confirm its current status with your attorney and move quickly — document
preparation alone typically takes several months.
Requirements (2026)
Investment — Choose One Route:
Real estate: $150,000 minimum in Costa Rican property, free of liens, registered in the applicant’s personal name at
the National Registry (Registro Nacional). Residential and investment properties both qualify. The property must not
carry a mortgage.
Active business or company investment: $150,000 minimum in a qualifying Costa Rican business, with documented
ownership and corporate records matching the investment structure.
Stocks or securities: $150,000 minimum, documented by a notarized description of the investment and certified
corporate records.
Sustainable tourism or national interest projects: $150,000 minimum in qualifying projects, with municipality
permits and relevant project documentation.
Forestry and reforestation projects: $100,000 minimum — the only category with a lower threshold under current law.
The investment must have a current and verifiable value of at least $150,000 (or $100,000 for forestry). It is not
enough to have paid that amount at purchase — the documented value must hold at the time of application and renewal.
Ownership structure matters significantly. For real estate, immigration authorities currently prefer — and in many
cases require — that the property be titled directly in the applicant’s personal name rather than through a
corporation. If your asset is held in a Sociedad Anónima or other corporate structure, confirm eligibility with your
attorney before relying on it.
Unmarried couples: Each individual must meet the $150,000 threshold independently. A married couple may qualify on a
single $150,000 investment. Two unmarried applicants would need a combined $300,000 in qualifying investments.
Other Requirements:
- Valid passport
- Apostilled criminal background check from your country of citizenship
- Apostilled birth certificate
- Marriage certificate + apostille (if including spouse)
- Proof of qualifying investment (property registry certification, corporate records, notarized securities
description, etc.) - Proof of source of funds
- Passport-size photographs
- All foreign documents translated into Spanish by a certified translator
- Enrollment in Costa Rica’s public healthcare system (CCSS) upon approval
- Application filed through a licensed Costa Rican immigration attorney (strongly recommended)
Benefits of the Inversionista Visa
Legal temporary residency, renewable every two years as long as the qualifying investment is maintained.
Eligibility for permanent residency after three years of temporary residency — at which point investment maintenance
requirements no longer apply to your residency status and full work authorization is granted.
Eligibility for citizenship after seven years of legal residency, which comes with a Costa Rican passport offering
visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries.
Ability to include a spouse, children under 25 (including full-time students), and dependents with disabilities
under the same application.
The right to own property, open bank accounts, and operate or receive income from Costa Rican businesses.
Access to Costa Rica’s public healthcare system (CCSS) upon enrollment.
A genuine tangible asset in Costa Rica — unlike income-based residency categories, your qualifying investment is a
real holding with potential for appreciation or rental income.
What the Inversionista Visa Does NOT Allow
Employment with Costa Rican employers is not permitted during temporary residency status.
However: You may own a Costa Rican business and receive investment income or dividends from it. Remote work and
income from foreign sources are generally unaffected. Once you transition to permanent residency after three years,
local employment restrictions are removed entirely.
Including Dependents
A spouse, dependent children under 25 (including full-time students), and dependents with disabilities can be
included in the application under the main applicant’s qualifying investment — no additional investment is required
per dependent. Each dependent requires their own apostilled documents. Permanent residency, when you eventually
apply, is individual and does not automatically extend to dependents — each family member applies separately.
CCSS Enrollment
All Inversionista holders are required to enroll in Costa Rica’s public healthcare system upon receiving residency.
Monthly contributions are calculated as a percentage of your declared income and typically start around $75/month.
This is an ongoing requirement throughout your time as a temporary resident and is required to maintain your status.
How to Apply
- Select your investment route and complete the qualifying investment
- Confirm ownership structure with your attorney before filing, particularly for real estate held in a corporate
name - Gather supporting documents: passport, criminal background check, birth certificate, marriage certificate if
applicable, and full investment documentation - Have all foreign documents apostilled
- Translate all documents into Spanish via a certified translator
- Pay the government application deposit of approximately $250 to the designated immigration account
- Engage a licensed Costa Rican immigration attorney
- File the application with Costa Rica’s immigration authority (DGME), either from inside Costa Rica or through a
consulate abroad - Receive your application receipt (comprobante), which allows you to remain in Costa Rica legally while the
application is under review - Attend any required in-person appointments and complete biometrics
- Receive your temporary residency card (DIMEX)
Most applicants enter Costa Rica on a tourist visa and file from inside the country through a local attorney. Filing
through a consulate abroad is possible but slower.
Timeline
Document preparation: 1 to 3 months. Government processing: 4 to 12 months. Total typical timeline: 5 to 15 months.
Processing times in Costa Rica are less predictable than in Panama. Your comprobante keeps you in legal status
throughout the wait.
What Does It Cost?
Investment: $150,000 minimum (real estate, business, securities, or tourism projects) or $100,000 for forestry —
note the standard $150,000 threshold may revert to $200,000 after July 2026 Government application deposit:
approximately $250 Government fees: $200 to $350 per applicant Attorney fees: $1,500 to $3,000 depending on
investment complexity and firm Document procurement (apostilles, translations): $300 to $600 depending on origin
CCSS monthly contributions: approximately $75/month and up, ongoing
Who Is the Inversionista Visa Best For?
This visa is ideal if you:
- Are purchasing Costa Rican real estate at $150,000 or above and want that purchase to serve double duty as a
residency qualifier - Are launching or investing in a Costa Rican business
- Do not receive a qualifying pension and cannot document $2,500/month in passive income for the Rentista
- Want your residency tied to a tangible asset rather than an ongoing income threshold
- Are planning a long-term base in Costa Rica with a clear path to permanent residency and citizenship
Frequently Asked Questions: Inversionista Visa
Does the property need to be in my personal name?
For real estate, immigration authorities currently prefer — and often require — that the title be registered
directly in the applicant’s personal name at the Registro Nacional, not through a corporate structure.
Corporate-held properties are not automatically disqualifying but require more careful documentation and carry more
risk of complications. Confirm your ownership structure with your attorney before committing to a purchase for
residency purposes.
Can I use a mortgaged property to qualify?
No. The qualifying real estate must be free of liens. A property with an active mortgage does not meet the
requirement.
Do I have to live in Costa Rica full-time?
No. The minimum physical presence requirement is one day per year during the temporary residency period — one of the
lowest thresholds in the region. Once you reach permanent residency, the requirement becomes at least one visit per
year of 72 hours.
Can I work in Costa Rica on the Inversionista?
Not as an employee of a Costa Rican employer during temporary residency. You can own and operate a Costa Rican
business and receive dividends or investment income. Remote work for foreign employers or clients is generally
unaffected. Full work authorization comes with permanent residency after three years.
What happens to my residency if I sell the qualifying investment?
The investment must be maintained throughout the temporary residency period. If you sell the qualifying asset before
applying for permanent residency, your residency status is at risk. Consult your attorney before any transaction
involving your qualifying asset.
What is the $150,000 sunset issue I keep reading about?
Law 9996 (2021) reduced the standard investment threshold from $200,000 to $150,000, but included a sunset clause.
That reduced threshold is in effect through approximately July 14, 2026. If the National Assembly does not renew the
legislation, the threshold reverts to $200,000. Applications submitted and qualifying investments completed before
the sunset date should qualify under the lower threshold — confirm the current status with your attorney if you are
reading this close to or after that date.
How does the Inversionista compare to the Rentista?
Both are temporary residency categories leading to permanent residency after three years and citizenship after
seven. The Rentista requires $2,500/month in documented income — no capital at risk, but an ongoing income
requirement. The Inversionista requires $150,000 in capital deployed into a Costa Rican asset — no monthly income
requirement, but your money is in a local investment. If you are buying property in Costa Rica anyway, the
Inversionista is often the cleaner choice. If you have passive income but are not making a local capital investment,
the Rentista may be more appropriate.
How does Costa Rica’s Inversionista compare to Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa?
Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa requires $300,000 in real estate (or more in other asset classes) and grants
immediate permanent residency with no temporary stage. Costa Rica’s Inversionista requires $150,000 but grants
temporary residency first, with permanent residency after three years. Panama processes faster, uses the US dollar,
and has no meaningful physical presence requirement. Costa Rica has a lower investment threshold, a richer expat
community in many lifestyle destinations, and a more established path to citizenship at seven years compared to
Panama’s five. The right choice depends heavily on whether the lower entry point or the faster permanent residency
matters more to your situation.