Rentista Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Rentista)

Costa Rica•North America

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Rentista Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal - Rentista)

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

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Residency via passive income ($2,500+/month or $60,000 deposit) leading to permanent residency; no spouse work permission.

The Rentista Temporary Residency allows foreign nationals with stable passive income to reside in Costa Rica. Under Law No. 8764, applicants must demonstrate $2,500/month in income for two years or deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank. Applicants must be legally present and register with CCSS for social security.

Visas grant two-year residency, renewable indefinitely. Spouses cannot work as employees. Conversion to PR is available after three years. Processing takes several months; all documents must be apostilled. Self-employment and business ownership are permitted.

This visa is ideal for passive-income investors, early retirees, and entrepreneurs seeking independence and flexibility in Costa Rica.

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

Demonstrate a stable and permanent monthly income of at least $2,500 USD for a minimum period of two years.

Alternatively, make a $60,000 USD deposit in a Costa Rican bank, which must be used to provide the $2,500 USD monthly income over two years.

Must be legally present in Costa Rica (e.g., with a valid tourist visa) at the time of application.

Must not work as an employee; self-employment or business ownership is permitted.

Must register with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) for voluntary health insurance.

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

30,000 EUR/yr

Min. Savings

60,000 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed application form signed and authenticated by a lawyer.

Proof of income (e.g., bank letter, CPA certification, or proof of rental income) apostilled or legalized.

Birth certificate (apostilled or legalized).

Criminal background check from the country of origin or residence for the last three years (apostilled or legalized).

Copy of all pages of a valid passport.

Consular registration.

Proof of fingerprinting from the Ministry of Public Security.

Receipts for government application fees.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Pathway to permanent residency after initial 2-year term
Flexible $60,000 deposit alternative to $2,500/month income requirement
Spouse and dependent children (under 25) can be included
Renewable for additional periods; no statutory cap beyond initial renewal
Self-employment and business ownership permitted (cannot be employee only)
Dual intent allowed; can explore permanent settlement
No job offer or sponsorship required; financial independence only

Worth Knowing

Requires minimum $2,500/month passive income (or $60K deposit) verified for 2+ years
Spouse cannot work; only principal holder can be self-employed or own business
$60,000 deposit must be maintained and used for monthly income over 2-year term
Mandatory CCSS health insurance registration
Processing can take several months; apostille and translation required for docs
Cannot work as employee for Costa Rican employer or client (self-employment only)

Application Process

Gather and apostille documents

Submit application to DGME

Register with CCSS

Verified Claims (2)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026

Official Info

https://migracion.go.cr/informacion-general/

migracion.go.cr

Spouse Can Work

pgrweb.go.cr