Eligibility quiz
Do you have a child who is a Costa Rican citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Costa Rica for life
Your residence has no end date/Categor%C3%ADas%20Especiales/Residencias%20Temporales/V%C3%ADnculo%20con%20C%C3%B3nyuge%20Costarricense.pdf), and you do not need a job or investment to keep it.
Study in Costa Rica
You can access education on the same basis as other lawful residents.
Work in Costa Rica
You can work for an employer/Personas-Extranjeras.aspx) or work independently, including running a business.
Some professions and jobs require a licence or other qualifications.
Travel and return
You can travel with your valid passport and return to Costa Rica/Personas-Extranjeras.aspx) if you meet the entry requirements.
Use public healthcare
With CCSS health insurance, you can use public health services under the insurance and payment rules.
How to apply
Applying from inside Costa RicaApplying from inside Costa Rica
Find an immigration office
Find a Costa Rican immigration office where you can hand in a first-time residence application.
Find an immigration officeGet the application materials
Get the first-time application materials for residencia permanente por vínculo from Costa Rica’s immigration authority.
Find the application materialsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the first-time residencia permanente por vínculo application materials in Costa Rica?”
Prepare your written application
Write your application for legal stay, including your personal details, the residence category you are requesting, your address and how you want to receive notices. Sign it in front of an immigration officer when you hand it in, or have a lawyer authenticate your signature.
Find application instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I prepare and sign a first-time residencia permanente por vínculo application in Costa Rica?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsPay the application charges
Pay for the required government stamps by deposit using the immigration authority’s payment process. Pay any applicable charge for changing your immigration category as well.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the government stamps and change-of-category charges for residencia permanente por vínculo in Costa Rica?”
Book an appointment
Call the immigration authority’s call centre at 1311 to book an appointment to hand in your application.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a first-time residencia permanente por vínculo appointment with Costa Rica immigration?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed application, required documents and proof of payment to the immigration office you selected. Sign your application in front of the officer if a lawyer has not authenticated your signature.
Find office detailsWait for the decision
Follow your application through the immigration authority’s online case service and respond if the office asks for more information or documents.
Follow your applicationGet your resident card
If your application is approved, follow the immigration authority’s instructions to get your foreign-resident identity document, called DIMEX. You can use it to show your residence status.
Find card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my first DIMEX after approval of residencia permanente por vínculo in Costa Rica?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get a Costa Rican Civil Registry birth certificate for your Costa Rican child showing your relationship and your child’s citizenship. For your residence application in Costa Rica, also get your own birth certificate from your country of origin.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Identity card and insurance
Renew your foreigner identity card every 2 years after 1–4 years of lawful stay, every 3 years after more than 4–10 years, and every 5 years after more than 10 years.
You must pay renewal fees and generally show continuous CCSS health insurance, with some exceptions.
Without a current card you lack valid migration ID, but your residence does not automatically end.
Residence can be lost
False information or immigration violations, or a link to intentional criminal conduct, may lead to cancellation, an order to leave, or removal from Costa Rica.
The authorities must follow due process when cancelling residence.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Living in Costa Rica: Expat Community
English Facebook group for people living in Costa Rica interested in Costa Rican visas
Join on FacebookExpats moving to Costa Rica
English Facebook group for people living in Costa Rica interested in Costa Rican visas
Join on FacebookMove to Costa Rica – Everything You Need to Know
English Facebook group for people living in Costa Rica interested in Costa Rican visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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