Executive & Transfer Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal - Ejecutivos, Representantes, Gerentes y Personal Técnico)

Costa Rica•North America

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Executive & Transfer Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal - Ejecutivos, Representantes, Gerentes y Personal Técnico)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information

Overview

Temporary residency for executives, managers, representatives, and technical personnel transferred by their company to Costa Rica.

The Executive & Transfer Personnel Permit facilitates relocation of high-level personnel to Costa Rican subsidiaries and branches of multinational corporations. It covers executives, managers, representatives, and technical specialists transferred by registered companies, requiring an employment contract with salary at least 25% above legal minimum wage.

The permit grants 2 years of residency, renewable for additional periods. Work authorization covers the sponsoring employer only. Dependents (spouse and children under 18) may be included. Permanent residency pathways are available upon meeting applicable conversion requirements.

This visa is ideal for international executives and specialists transferred by multinational corporations to manage their Costa Rican operations.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant	2 years
Extension increments	2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Permanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente - Libre Condición)

Costa Rica

Permanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente - Libre Condición)

Validity5 years

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be an executive, manager, representative, or technical personnel of a company registered in Costa Rica.

The company must be formally registered with the Ministry of Finance, the municipality (commercial patent), the Ministry of Health (sanitary permit), and the CCSS (social security).

The applicant must have a valid job offer or contract with the local entity.

The salary must be at least 25% higher than the legal minimum wage for the specific position.

Must maintain legal status in Costa Rica throughout the application process.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Application form signed by the company's legal representative.

Certification of the company's legal status (Personería Jurídica).

Employment contract or certification from the legal representative detailing the position, duration, and salary.

Proof that the company is up to date with tax and social security obligations.

Criminal background check (apostilled or legalized).

Birth certificate (apostilled or legalized).

Copy of all pages of a valid passport.

Proof of fingerprinting from the Ministry of Public Security.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Low USD 50 application fee for work authorization
Direct pathway to permanent residency after initial term
Renewable permit supports multi-year employment continuity
Spouse can reside in Costa Rica (work restrictions apply)
Dependent children under 18 can be included on the permit
No language requirements specified for qualification
Dual-intent status allows exploration of permanent settlement options

Worth Knowing

Salary must be 25% above legal minimum wage for the specific position
Employment is tied to the sponsoring company registration status
Requires bachelor's degree minimum and 1+ year relevant experience
Spouse work authorization is restricted; requires separate accreditation
Termination of sponsoring company employment may trigger visa cancellation

Application Process

Company registers with DGME

Submit work permit application

Receive approval

Verified Claims (2)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026

Fees

USD 50

pgrweb.go.cr

Official Info

https://migracion.go.cr/

migracion.go.cr