5 Things to Know About Costa Rican Immigration Law

1. Residency requirements: Costa Rica offers several residency options such as pensionado (retiree) and rentista(fixed income). Each has specific requirements, such as proof of income or financial stability.
2. Visa renewals: Tourists can stay in Costa Rica for up to 90 days on a tourist visa, but extensions or renewals must be applied for in a timely manner to avoid overstaying.
3. Work permits: Foreigners cannot work in Costa Rica without a valid work permit. Engaging in employment without proper documentation can result in fines and deportation.
4. Path to citizenship: After seven years of legal residency, foreigners can apply for naturalization. Some requirements include a clean criminal record and knowledge of Spanish.
5. Criminal background checks: Residency applications require submitting a clean criminal record from your country of origin, which must be recent and notarized.