Costa Rica – Rentista Visa (Remote Work Visa)

Remote workers, freelancers, people with rental income, and others with stable remote income can move to Costa Rica with a Rentista Visa.

Benefits

• Renewable after 2 years
• 0% tax
• Bring family
• Path to Permanent Residency 
• Convenient travel and time zone for workers from USA
• 4 months of annual residency required 

Introduction

The Rentista Visa suits self-employed people, people who earn rental income, remote workers, and others who have a stable monthly income for at least two years. People who are able to deposit $60,000 into a Costa Rican bank also qualify. This visa allows you to open a business in Costa Rica or work remotely, but you cannot be employed in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica attracts travelers with its two sunny coastlines, rugged mountains, and optimistic, laid-back “pura vida” (pure life) attitude. Its low cost of living, developed infrastructure, and strong health care system have long made it a retirement destination, and today digital nomads are also seeing the advantages to living in this welcoming country.

Internet Speed

Fixed broadband: 47.93 Mbps download/12.23 Mbps upload

Mobile: 31.42 Mbps download/9.73 Mbps upload

Cost of living

No. 59 globally 

Income Requirements

$2,500 per month of stable, reliable income that can be transferred to Costa Rica monthly, for at least 2 years

Or 

$60,000 deposit into a Costa Rican bank

Fees

• Application fees start at $52, with several nominal fees.
• You will also need to pay $200 to change your visa type from within Costa Rica.

Application Process

Apply in person and with all of your documents at an office for the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria in Costa Rica.

In principle, this visa should process within 90 days, but it often takes much longer.

Documents Required

Many of these documents should be apostilled, notarized, or formalized, and gathering them can take several months. They may need to be translated into Spanish.

Documents required can include:

• Valid passport and copies of all pages
• 2 passport photos
• Request letter including name, nationality, occupation, age, address, and contact information. Do not sign the letter yet—it must be signed with an immigration official or notary.
• Filled out and signed application form
• Proof of reliable monthly income of $2,500+ or $60,000 bank balance (if funds are outside of Costa Rica, this should be legalized or apostilled)
• Clear criminal records check
• Proof of travel and medical insurance
• Fingerprints for all applicants over 12 years old
• Proof of consular registration
• Authenticated birth certificate
• Proof of payment for visa fee
• Supporting documents for all dependents (such as passports, birth certificates, and marriage certificates, legalized or apostilled)

Other documents may be required. 

Learn More

• Official website for Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria
• Detailed information on Rentista Visa (in Spanish)
• Requirements for several visa types