Frequently Asked Questions

  • A series of documents are necessary but what you must bring from your country of origin are a criminal record apostilled or legalized depending on the country, the birth certificate apostilled or legalized depending on the country, a valid passport and obviously the marriage certificate from the Civil Registry of Costa Rica or if you are a foreigner must be apostilled or legalized.
  • Although the law 8764 says 3 months but, according to experience, the nationality of the applicant greatly affects the waiting time.
  • You must make an appointment for renewal, have social security up to date and make the corresponding payments.
  • There are several types of residency. In total permanent and temporary are 2 most desired categories that each have several subcategories.
  • Those who can apply for this residency must have an investment (real estate, etc.) with a tax value of at least 150 thousand US dollars.
  • You have 3 days to appeal or reapply for residency. The important thing is that you should not remain in an irregular manner.
  • No. According to MTSS and DGME indications, it is not possible to work until the license has been approved and granted. But the reality indicates a different situation.
  • There are different types. One is visa extension up to 90 days. But there is an extension of legal stay which is more beneficial and less complex.
  • There are 3 types: 1- by consanguinity with a Costa Rican citizen, 2- for having completed 3 CONSECUTIVE years with temporary residency, 3- to those who are granted permanent residency by the government.
  • Requirements in substance and form must be met. Keep in mind that this is a delicate process and that not just any change will be successful.
  • It depends on the immigration status of the person who wishes to bring his or her relatives and also the degree of consanguinity.
  • Asylum is different from refuge, but if we refer to refuge as asylum, it is to request it at the DGME’s refuge or border unit, but it should not take more than 30 days of entry, and you must also have evidence or at least arguments that merit the request for refuge.
  • It is necessary to make an appointment and prepare the argument and facts that caused you to leave your country of origin.
  • Consular visa, consulted visa, exceptional visa, restricted visa, family reunification visa.
  • Valid passport, birth certificate apostilled or legalized, criminal record apostilled or legalized, economic solvency, and the rest is mentioned in article 71 of the Visa Regulations.
  • Depends on nationality, but normally 30 calendar days.
  • You must have a son or daughter born in Costa Rica, or have had 3 consecutive years of temporary residency.
  • Yes. There are many types of naturalization.
  • Depends on nationality, generally 30 calendar days.