Family Relationship

This regime grants a permanent resident status for individuals with direct family ties to a Costa Rican citizen.

For this regime to be applicable, one of the following relatives is required to be Costa Rican:

1. Spouse
2. Son or daughter
3. Mother or father
4. Brother or sister (only for minors or disabled individuals)

RESIDENCY BASED ON DIRECT FAMILY RELATIONSHIP WITH A COSTA RICAN CITIZEN

Requirements for the status

Criminal Record:

A clean criminal record certificate for the applicant and for its dependents fifteen years or older being included in the regime, issued by the corresponding authority of the country where the applicant has lived during the last three years before his arrival in Costa Rica, must be filed. This document is valid only for six months after its issue date and must be authenticated by the Costa Rican Consulate nearest to the place of issue or apostilled in the country of issue if such country is part of the Hague Convention.

Birth Certificate:

A birth certificate for the applicant and his dependents (if any) is required. This document must be issued by the appropriate authorities at the place of birth. This document is valid only for six months after its issue date and must be authenticated by the Costa Rican Consulate nearest to the place of issue or apostilled in the country of issue if such country is part of the Hague Convention.

Certificate Of Proof Of Family Relationship:

Relationship by marriage to Costa Rican citizen: marriage certificate.
Relationship by having a Costa Rican child: birth certificate indicating name of parents.
Relationship by being the son or daughter of a Costa Rican citizen: birth certificate of Costa Rican son or daughter, indicating name of parents.
Relationship by having a Costa Rican brother or sister: applicant’s Birth Certificate.

Registration Before The Consulate Of The Country Of Citizenship In Costa Rica:

All applicants must register before the Consulate of their country of citizenship in Costa Rica. Each Consulate has its own requirements for this registration and they change from time to time so it is recommendable to establish direct contact to be acknowledged of current conditions. This requirement is waived in case the country of citizenship does not have a Consulate in Costa Rica.

Registration Before The Costa Rican Social Security Agency (CCSS):

All applicants must register before CCSS after the residency application is approved. This registration will require a meeting with a CCSS inspector, the determination and payment of a monthly fee and obtaining social security cards with the local clinic (EBAIS). Specific requirements vary from the CCSS branch on which the registration is made and from time to time so we suggest to consult with us upon the specific moment of registration for current conditions.

Application By The Interested Party:

Our firm prepares the application once all required information and documents are received, which our firm will deliver as a complete package at Immigration. One application per family member is required.

Copy Of Identification Card:

Copy of identification card of Costa Rican citizen with whom the applicant has the direct family relationship.

Certified Copy Of Passport:

Required for both the applicant and his dependents. It must comprise all pages (including blank pages).

Photographs:

Six front recent photographs are required.

Proof Of Income Or Solvency:

This may be proved by means of bank statements, a certificate issued by a certified public accountant (CPA), or by showing that the Costa Rican relative has a stable work.

Fingerprinting:

This requirement is applicable for all individuals twelve years or older. Fingerprints must be registered before the Ministry of Public Safety, for which purposes the applicant must present his passport, a passport size photograph, and complete a specific form. Our firm will guide the applicant through this process. This procedure requires the presence in the country of the applicant and all dependents over twelve years old that are to be included under the regime.

Guarantee Deposit:

If the application is approved, a guarantee deposit equivalent to the Immigration Authorities’ estimate of the value of a one-way ticket to the country of origin of the applicant must be made. A separate deposit for each dependent included in the regime is required.

Important!

All documents originating abroad require authentication by the Costa Rican Consulate located in the country of issue or apostilled in the country of issue if such country is part of the Hague Convention. Documents must then be sent to Costa Rica for authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if they are not apostilled (this step is met through our Firm).

Costa Rican Consulates are divided into jurisdictions. In the majority of cases, Consuls will not legalize or authenticate documents issued by authorities out of their jurisdiction. In the United States, specific Consulates serve certain States and the one in Washington DC has jurisdiction over the whole country. Consult the Consulate nearest to the place of issue of the document for procedures, office hours and fees for each specific document.

All documents in languages other than Spanish must be translated in Costa Rica by an official translator (this step is met through our Firm).

After granting of residency, the beneficiary must not be absent from the country for more than six consecutive months in order to maintain the status.

As a general rule, all foreign citizens with Costa Rican residency must comply with the following conditions:

Not to have any criminal record neither have international warrants for a crime.
Not to commit any kind of criminal offense.
To conduct himself according to moral and good customs.
To respect the Constitution and the Laws of Costa Rica.
The main applicant must be able to demonstrate that he is economically sound.