Residency by Family Reunification (Vínculo)

You can apply for residency based on a Vínculo (link or tie) to a Costa Rican citizen or a legal resident. This process is generally completed while you are physically present in Costa Rica. You must enter the country legally, typically on a tourist visa, before beginning your filing.

Step 1: Document Preparation

Before submitting your application, you must gather and "legalize" your foreign documents.

• Apostille: Any document issued outside of Costa Rica (Birth Certificate, Criminal Record Check) must be Apostilled in the country of origin. If your country is not part of the Hague Convention, you must seek legalization through the Costa Rican Consulate.
• Translation: If your documents are not in Spanish, they must be translated by an official translator authorized by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
• Marriage Registration: If you are the spouse of a Costa Rican and were married abroad, you must first register your marriage with the Registro Civil (Civil Registry) in Costa Rica before you can use it as proof for residency.

Step 2: Fingerprints and Consular Registration

• Fingerprints: Visit the Archivo Policial (Police Archives) at the Ministry of Public Security to have your fingerprints taken. You will receive a receipt that must be included in your application.
• Consular Registration: You must register with your home country’s consulate in Costa Rica and obtain a certificate or proof of this registration.

Step 3: Submission

You have two primary ways to submit your application to the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME):

• Online: Use the Trámite ¡Ya! portal. You will need to upload digital copies of all required documents.
• In-Person: Schedule an appointment to visit the DGME headquarters in La Uruca, San José, or a regional office.

Step 4: The Interview (Spouses Only)

If you are applying as a spouse of a Costa Rican, the DGME will likely schedule a Vínculo interview. You and your spouse will be interviewed separately to ensure the marriage is genuine and not for immigration purposes.

Step 5: Approval and DIMEX Issuance

Once you receive your Resolución (official approval letter), you must:

1. Pay the final residency fees and security deposit.
2. Register with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), known as the Caja. You must pay into this national healthcare system monthly.
3. Schedule an appointment at the DGME or a designated Correos de Costa Rica (Post Office) to have your photo taken and receive your DIMEX (Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros), which is your official residency card.

Total Estimate: Approximately $550 - $900 USD plus the security deposit. Note: This does not include monthly CCSS (Social Security) payments, which are calculated based on your income, or the costs of obtaining and apostilling documents in your home country.

• Document Preparation: Expect to spend 1 to 3 months gathering and apostilling documents. Note that your Criminal Record Check and Apostilles are generally only valid for 6 months in the eyes of Costa Rican authorities.
• DGME Review: While the legal limit for a decision is 90 days, current backlogs mean most applicants wait 9 to 15 months for a resolution.
• Card Issuance: After approval, it typically takes 1 to 2 months to secure an appointment and receive your physical DIMEX card.
• Validity: Temporary residency for spouses is usually granted for 1 year and is renewable. After 3 years of temporary residency, you may apply for Permanent Residency. Direct relatives of Costa Ricans (parents/children) receive Permanent Residency immediately, which must be renewed every 2 to 5 years depending on the card's issuance.