4.9 out of 5 Based on 87 Reviews

Relocate to Costa Rica

Enjoy the move. We’ll handle the hard parts.

No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.

Relocating to Costa Rica is a big step. You don't have to figure it out alone.

Temporary Residency

Pensionado, Inversionista, and Rentista — we handle all three.

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Digital Nomad Visa

Live and work in Costa Rica for 1–2 years without border runs.

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Relocation Services

Car purchase and rental search — handled by people who know the market.

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Temporary Residency

Pensionado, Inversionista, and Rentista — we handle all three.

View Packages

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Costa Rica Temporary Residency Visa Services

Learn more about temporary residency in Costa Rica

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Best Value

*Please note that our fee does not include: 1) costs associated with document procurement, and 2) government “departure deposit”. The departure deposit is due after visa approval, and changes depending on the applicant’s nationality. 

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A high-level view across all service tiers.

Full Service

Visa Package

Logistics
Package

Concierge
Package

Management of visa application submission

Management of an appeal process if necessary

30-minute kick-off call with relocation + visa specialist

Guidance with CAJA registration after approval

Access to the StartAbroad Client Portal

Connections to StartAbroad's partner network

DIMEX appointment guidance

Costa Rica driver’s license guidance

Pet Relocation Checklist

Assigned a dedicated relocation specialist

Four 30-minute one-on-one coaching calls

Car purchase support

Rental search support

30 days of post-arrival support

In-person DIMEX appointment support

Unlimited bi-weekly coaching calls

In-person CAJA registration support

In-person driver's license support

Airport pickup

On-the-ground support (SIM, internet, utilities)

Access to Concierge WhatsApp line

Medical planning support

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Costa Rica Residency Visa for?

Residency visas are for anyone who wants to live in Costa Rica long-term. Valid for an initial period of 2 years, they are renewable and can be converted to permanent residency after 3 years and citizenship after 7 years.

There are three types of Residency Visas available in Costa Rica, each with different qualification requirements:

  • Inversionista (Investor) – You want to buy real estate or make another investment in Costa Rica of at least $150,000
  • Pensionado (Retiree) – You have retirement income of at least $1000/month
  • Rentista – You have rental income of at least $2,000/month or $60,000 that you can set aside for 2+ years

There are many benefits to a Costa Rica Residency Visa including:

  • Pathway to Costa Rica permanent residency & citizenship
  • No taxation on income earned outside of Costa Rica
  • Access to national healthcare system
  • Residency for dependents/family members
  • Ability to work in Costa Rica once you achieve permanent residency

Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa is ideal for anyone seeking to work from Costa Rica for 1-2 years, including those who want to test out living in Costa Rica before investing in residency.

Applicants must prove minimum monthly income of $3000 USD for the 12 months preceding submission of the application. When applying with dependents, that rises to $4000 USD per month. Income must come from a company registered outside of Costa Rica.

  • No taxation on income earned outside of Costa Rica
  • Quick and affordable: you can get your digital nomad visa in just a few months and for a significantly lower cost than residency
  • Include dependents/family members
  • Duty-free imports of work materials
  • Eliminate international “visa runs” and risk of border issues

Once we have all of your documents, it usually takes 6-12 weeks until you receive your Step 3 Approval, at which point you should come to Costa Rica for your final in-person appointment. You can also arrive in Costa Rica before your Step 3 Approval on a Tourist Visa.

Yes! You can apply for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa from inside the country, provided you are on a legal Tourist Visa or other visa. Americans and Canadians can get a 90-day Tourist Visa upon arrival in Costa Rica.

You will need:

  • a valid passport
  • color passport photos
  • proof of payment of the $100 application fee
  • an application form
  • an entry stamp in your passport if you are already in Costa Rica
  • bank statements for the 12 months prior to submitting your application
  • a certified income statement
  • official translations of any documents that are not already in Spanish
  • apostilled marriage or birth certificates for dependents issued within the last six months

StartAbroad can help procure all relevant documents, including translations and a certified income statement from an accredited Costa Rican accountant.

Main applicants can sponsor a spouse, children under 25, adult children with disabilities, and seniors who live with them. You will need to submit separate applications (including application fees) for each dependent, and procure specific documentation that proves familial connection.

Unsure if you qualify for your visa of choice? Book a call with us and we’ll let you know. We have a 100% approval rate for clients who meet qualifications.

We recommend starting our service at least 2 months before you want to move and up to 8 months before your target move date. It usually takes at least 2 months to find a rental you love and organize the car buying process for your arrival in the country. Visa processes take longer, but you can move to Costa Rica before they are finalized. We will want to start the visa process while you are in your home country, given the need to source paperwork at home.

Yes! The period immediately after you arrive in-country is one of the most stressful parts of the relocation process. After we’ve arranged your airport pickup and gotten your phone and utilities set up, we’ll show you around your new town and make recommendations on how to plug in to local and expat communities that align with your interests. We’ll also be on call for 30 days after your arrival to answer any questions that come up as you settle in.

  1. We get to know you personally. You’re making a huge life change when you move to a new country. We get it, we’ve been there. You deserve to work with someone who cares about the success of your move.
  2. We offer the best customer service in the industry. Every StartAbroad client gets their own dedicated relocation specialist. We’re available to you over email and phone and responsive to your needs.
  3. We provide transparent, affordable pricing. We don’t believe in hidden fees, added VAT tax, recurring annual subscriptions, or extra charges for translations. What you see is what you get, and it’s all you need to pay to get you there.
  4. We’re local. We’re your boots on the ground in Costa Rica. Our specialists live here, own property here, and have children here. We understand what it means to make the move to Costa Rica because we’ve done it too.

Hear from the people who have made the move.

Read testimonials from clients living their new life abroad.


Don’t figure it out alone.

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