Residency Relocation Package
Costa Rica Residency Package
Get straight to your Pura Vida. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
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Pura Vida, Made Easy
When you think about moving to Costa Rica, you imagine the sound of birds in the morning, the smell of the ocean, and a more peaceful pace of life.
What you don’t imagine? Bureaucracy and expense.
Finding a rental, a good quality car, getting your visa – to do it affordably and without mistakes requires knowledge of local systems, Spanish, and connections.
When you move to Costa Rica, you want to enjoy your new home, unburdened by bureaucratic processes and confusing new rules.
Get it right the first time. We specialize in all of the key components of your Costa Rica move, so you don’t have to.
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
Costa Rican Residency
Rental Search
Car
Airport Pickup
Trusted Expert Network
4 Coaching Calls
Transparent &
Affordable Pricing
Get peace of mind without breaking the bank.
Residency Package
$3450
+ $1300 in legal fees per dependent visa application
- Pensionado, Inversionista, OR Rentista visa
- Long-term rental in Costa Rica
- Car purchase service
- Airport pickup on arrival
- Dedicated relocation specialist to support you throughout the move process
- Four 1:1 coaching calls on move topics of your choice
- Connections to vetted accountants and health insurance brokers
- Access to client Whatsapp line for 30 days after your move
- Tailored pre-arrival checklist
Price does not include cost of procuring documents, apostille, or government application fees. Expected government and administrative fees are roughly $700 per visa applicant.
Let's break it down in more detail...
Visa & Residency
- Choose the inversionista (investor), pensionado (retiree), or rentista visa
- Application submission on your behalf to the Costa Rican government
- Guidance on document procurement and apostille process
- Accompaniment to police station in Costa Rica to complete fingerprint process
- Follow-up with authorities on your behalf as needed
- Procurement of ID card after approval
- Registration with CAJA after approval
*does not include legal and administrative expenses, typically totaling $650-800 per applicant
Rental Search
- Up to 25 listings that meet your criteria
- In-person or video walkthroughs of 3 rentals
- Negotiation with landlord on your behalf
- Lease review and translation
- Personal attention and support
- On-call customer service
Optional add-ons:
- Additional lease reviews & translations
- Additional in-person or video walkthroughs
Car Purchase
- 30 minute initial call to preview purchase process, discuss budget, and make recommendations
- Up to 40 listings pulled that meet your desired criteria
- Coordination of 4 in-person car inspections with a trusted mechanic
- Price negotiation on your behalf with the seller
- Connection to a vetted attorney to complete the car transfer process, plus guidance through closing
Coaching Calls
- In-depth written guides on every topic
- Choose the topics that make sense for you
- Popular topics:
- Choosing Your Ideal Location in Costa Rica
- Schooling & Childcare
- Shipping (What to Bring & What to Buy)
- Tax 101 for Costa Rica Expats
- Bringing Pets to Costa Rica
Understand Your Visa Options
Who is a 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.
Types of Residency Visas and How to Qualify
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
Benefits
- Pathway to Costa Rica permanent residency & citizenship
- No taxation on income earned outside of Costa Rica
- Access to national healthcare system
- Residency for dependents/familiy members
- Ability to work in Costa Rica once you achieve permanent residency
Experience the StartAbroad Difference
1.
Your move is personal. Work with people who care.
We get to know everyone we work with personally. You are 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 your move success.
2.
The best customer service in the industry
Every StartAbroad client gets their own dedicated relocation specialist. We are available to you over email and phone and responsive to your needs.
3.
Transparent, affordable pricing
We don’t believe in hidden fees, added VAT tax, recurring annual subscriptions, or charging extra 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. We live here, own property here, and have children here ourselves. We understand what it means to make the move to Costa Rica because we've done it too.
Want to talk it through with us?
FAQs
Do I qualify for a Costa Rica Residency?
There are several visa types you can consider in Costa Rica. If you want to eventually become a permanent resident or citizen, you can consider the retiree (pensionado) visa, the investor (inversionista) visa, or the rentista visa. The pensionado visa requires income from a pension of at least $1000 per month. The investor visa requires an investment of at least $150,000. Real estate purchases qualify. The rentista requires $60,000 that is put aside for at least 2 years.
Questions? Please sign up for a consultation here.
When should I book your services?
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 country. Visa processes take longer, but you can move to Costa Rica before they are finalized. We will ideally want to start the visa process while you are in your home country, given the need to source paperwork at home.
I don’t know what to do about my children’s school - where do I start?
You have options. Depending on where you want to move there may be public options, private options, and international schools to consider. Once you sign on as a client we can use a coaching call to orient you to the public vs private vs international systems and help you identify an initial shortlist of schools that may work for you.
Can I include a family member in my application? Who qualifies as a dependent?
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.
How can I find a place to live that’s safe and affordable?
Finding a home in a new country can be daunting. You might hear about affordable rentals but not know where to look, or you might need to be sure your rental meets the requirements for your visa. We can help. We know the best towns and neighborhoods and can help you find a place that fits your needs and budget. Our rental search includes a deep-dive on location, full lease review and translation, and can be done either in-person or remotely.
What if my visa application is rejected?
Unsure if you qualify for your visa of choice? Get on the phone with us (sign up for a free consultation below) and we’ll let you know. We have a 100% approval rate for clients who meet qualifications.
My pets don't fly well and I don't know how to travel with them.
We get it. As pet owners ourselves we understand how important it is to get your pets to your new home safely and calmly. We know all of the options and can walk you through what is best for you and your pet, whether it’s in-cabin or a private flight. Ask us about using a coaching call to discuss this topic. We’ll share our Costa Rica pet relocation checklist and walk you through every step, including all required paperwork. If you need to book a professional pet relocation service, we have recommendations.
Should I ship my things or buy new when I arrive?
Deciding what to do with your possessions is a very personal decision, but it’s one that we have a lot of experience discussing with our clients. We can help you understand your options, understand the costs, and make the decision that is right for you.
Can I meet you in person?
Maybe! As our business is for expats, by expats, we are location independent and we travel often between our countries of operation. We do meet our clients in person from time to time if they are moving to our home bases in Costa Rica and Portugal or passing through.
