TEMPORARY RESIDENCY FOR STUDENTS

This regime grants a temporary residency to foreign students in the country. The applicant must prove that he or she is enrolled in a private or public school, which has been authorized by the government. School registration documents must be filed with the application.

An individual with local residency must guarantee the applicant’s stay in the country, thus, documents proving the sponsor’s sound financial status will be required. This sponsor shall also state that he will be responsible for the student while in Costa Rica. In the case of minors, a special power of attorney issued by the parents is required.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATUS

 

  • APPLICATION BY THE INTERESTED PARTY:

This document is prepared by our offices once the required information is received; it must be signed by the applicant, then authenticated by a Costa Rican Notary Public, and filed before the Immigration Authorities with the following information:

  • Applicant’s full name; nationality, marital status and occupation; date and place or birth
  • Passport number, date and place of issue, date of expiration;
  • Date of arrival to Costa Rica;
  • Provisional or permanent address in Costa Rica;
  • Full name of spouse, if applicable;
  • Full names of applicant’s parents;
  • Name and identification number of sponsor;
  • Name of educational institution in which the applicant is enrolled.
    •

    • CERTIFIED COPY OF THE WHOLE PASSPORT:

    It must comprise all pages (including blank pages).


    • PHOTOGRAPHS:

    Six front recent photographs are required.


    • PROOF OF FINGERPRINTING

    This requirement is applicable for all individuals ten 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.


    • SPONSOR’S LETTER AND COPY OF HIS IDENTIFICATION CARD

    An individual with local residency must guarantee the applicant’s stay in the country, thus, documents proving the sponsor’s sound financial status will be required. This sponsor shall also state that he will be responsible for the student while in Costa Rica. In the case of minors, a special power of attorney issued by the parents is required.

       

    • SCHOOL REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS

    The applicant must prove that he or she is enrolled in a private or public school, which is authorized by the government, thus a certified document issued by the school indicating such circumstances must be filed.


    • GUARANTEE DEPOSIT:

    If the application is approved, a guarantee deposit equivalent to US$100.00 must be made. A separate deposit for each dependent included in the regime is required.