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cr_imv

Temporary Residency as Pensioner (Retiree)

Costa Rica · Central America

Source: Mobility Asset DatabaseLifecycle: UnknownResidency-to-PassportIndependent Means Visas

Program facts from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database. Unknown facts are shown as Unknown, never as zero.

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Publication state
Mobility Asset Database
Lifecycle status
Unknown
Facts checked through
Sep 21, 2026
Source snapshots
Database edition

Identity and current status

The route identity and current status.

Present
Year establishedPublished
2010
Governing lawPublished
General Law on Migration and Aliens
Responsible authorityPublished
General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners

What the program provides

What the program gives the holder.

Present
What the program providesPublished
Finance your pura vida with independent means in Costa Rica's biodiverse natural paradise

Best suited for

Who the program tends to suit. Research only, never a personal recommendation.

Absent

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Eligibility

Personal qualifications an applicant must establish.

Present
Minimum agePublished
18 years
Clean criminal record requiredPublished
Yes
Local health insurance requiredPublished
Yes
Nationality restrictionsPublished
No
Basic eligibilityPublished
Proof of regular passive income ($12,000+/year)
Generational limitPublished
Not applicable

Household inclusion

How spouses and children are treated.

Present
Family sponsorshipPublished
Yes
Spouse includedPublished
Yes
Children includedPublished
Yes
Child age limitPublished
25 years
ChildrenPublished
Pensioner may include spouse and children under 25, or adult children with a disability (Law 8764 Art. 82, applying to pensionado and rentista subcategories).

Documents

Evidence categories and filing documents.

Absent

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Process and timeline

How you apply and how long it takes.

Present
Processing timePublished
52–104 weeks
Can apply without travelingPublished
No
How you applyPublished
Filed in person (DGME; renewals via Banco de Costa Rica or Correos)
Required in-person stepPublished
In-person filing and card pickup
What the processing time measuresPublished
Documents to residence card: 12-24 months
Official application routePublished
https://www.immigrationservicescr.com/Contact_Us.html

Costs and investment

Fees, income and savings thresholds, and investment amounts.

Present
Minimum investmentPublished
None required
Minimum passive investment (July 2026)Published
None required
Minimum active investment (July 2026)Published
None required
Processing feePublished
$250
Application feePublished
$250
Total cost to applyPublished
$500
Monthly income requiredPublished
None required
Monthly pension income requiredPublished
$1,000/month
Monthly rental income requiredPublished
None required
Savings requiredPublished
None required
Proof of sufficient fundsPublished
Yes
Local bank deposit requiredPublished
No
Minimum local bank depositPublished
None required
Fees paidPublished
Before approval

Presence and maintenance

Stay, renewal, and how long the status lasts.

Present
Stay required to keep statusPublished
183 days/year
Minimum days per year in country (July 2026 figure)Published
1 day/year
Physical presence requiredPublished
Yes
In-country visit requiredPublished
No
Move-in windowPublished
0 months
Length of residencyPublished
24 months
Residency is lifetimePublished
No
RenewablePublished
Yes
Maximum durationUnknown
Unknown
Maximum duration is lifetimePublished
Yes
Stay rule (Sept 2026)Published
Founder ruling 22 Sep 2026: 183 days a year (per the IMI list) | Earlier research: At least 1 day a year in Costa Rica
Tax residency rulePublished
Residents staying more than 183 days per year will be considered tax residents
Personal income taxPublished
range between 10%-25%

Rights and onward pathways

Work, healthcare and other rights, and the path to permanent residence and citizenship.

Present
Time to permanent residencyPublished
3 years
Time to citizenshipPublished
7 years
Work for a local employerPublished
No
Start a businessPublished
No
Remote or freelance workPublished
No
Local healthcare accessPublished
Yes
University accessPublished
Yes
Can buy landPublished
Yes
Local bankingPublished
Yes
Permanent residence timeline basisPublished
Years stated
Citizenship timeline basisPublished
Years stated

Risks, limitations, and uncertainty

Notes on changes, conflicts, and limits.

Present
Plan B note (Sept 2026)Published
Some sources cite 4 months/yr; CCSS health contributions required

Sources, freshness, and conflict disclosure

Where the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database took these facts from.

Present
Official program websitePublished
https://www.immigrationservicescr.com/Costa_Rica_Residency_Pensioner.html
Plan B sources (Sept 2026)Published
https://crie.cr/?p=293308 | https://migronis.com/guides/costa-rica/en/

Every fact on this page comes from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database (Sep 21, 2026 edition). A blank is shown as Unknown.

This anonymous dossier is read-only research. It does not establish personal fit, eligibility, legal or tax advice, filing, approval, residence, citizenship, or a held Right.