The Costa Rica Investor Visa grants permanent residency to foreigners who make a qualifying investment in the country. Unlike the Pensionado Visa (which requires ongoing pension income) or the Rentista Visa (which requires monthly foreign income), the Investor Visa is a one-time qualifying event — you make the investment, you qualify for residency. This guide covers what qualifies, the investment minimums, what the process looks like, and what you get.
Get Costa Rica Investor Residency →
Questions about the investment minimums? Book a $49 call →
What Counts as a Qualifying Investment
Costa Rica’s Investor Visa (Residencia de Inversionista) requires a minimum investment of $150,000 USD in one of the following categories:
- Real estate — purchasing property in Costa Rica for $150,000 or more qualifies. This is the most common route. The property must be registered in your name (not a corporation) or in a Costa Rican corporation of which you are the majority shareholder. It does not need to be your primary residence.
- Business investment — investing $150,000 in a Costa Rican business, whether a new venture or existing company. The investment must be documented and the business must be registered and active.
- Government securities or approved financial instruments — investing in certain approved instruments including SUGEVAL-registered securities. Less common than real estate but used by investors who don’t want to manage property.
The investment must be maintained for as long as you hold residency status. If you sell the property or withdraw the investment, your residency basis changes.
What You Get
Costa Rica’s Investor Visa grants permanent residency — not temporary. You receive:
- Legal right to live in Costa Rica indefinitely (renewed every 2 years via administrative process)
- DIMEX card (Documento de Identidad Migratoria para Extranjeros) — your residency ID
- Access to CAJA (public healthcare) once registered and contributing
- Ability to open Costa Rican bank accounts
- Work authorization — resident investors can work in Costa Rica
- Path to Costa Rican citizenship after 7 years of residency (Spanish proficiency and civics test required)
The Application Process
- Make the qualifying investment — purchase real estate or complete business investment; retain all documentation
- Gather documents — passport, birth certificate (apostilled), criminal background check (apostilled), investment documentation (property deed or business registration), proof of health insurance, proof of domicile in Costa Rica, biometric photos
- File at DGME (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) in San José — applications must be filed in person in Costa Rica
- Wait for processing — 3–12 months is typical; during this time you receive a resolutor document that allows you to stay legally
- Receive DIMEX card — once approved, your card is issued and renewable every 2 years
Physical Presence Requirements
Costa Rica requires investor residents to spend at least one day per year in the country to maintain residency status — one of the most permissive presence requirements of any residency program in the world. This makes the Costa Rica Investor Visa particularly attractive for people who want legal residency but don’t plan to live there full-time.
Taxes for Investor Residents
Costa Rica has a territorial tax system — Costa Rican residents are taxed only on income generated within Costa Rica. Foreign income (remote work, US pensions, investment income from abroad) is not subject to Costa Rican income tax. If your investment generates rental income in Costa Rica, that income is taxable locally.
There is no wealth tax, no estate tax, and no capital gains tax on the sale of primary residences. Capital gains on investment property are taxed at 15%.
Costa Rica Investor Visa vs Alternatives
| Visa | Requirement | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Investor Visa | $150,000 investment | Buyers; no ongoing income requirement |
| Rentista Visa | $2,500/month foreign income | Those with passive income but no investment |
| Pensionado Visa | $1,000/month pension | Retirees with qualifying pension |
| Digital Nomad Visa | $3,000/month remote income | Remote workers; 1-year stay only |
How We Help
Our team handles Costa Rica Investor Visa applications end-to-end: investment structuring, document preparation, apostille coordination, DGME filing, and follow-up through card issuance. We’ve helped hundreds of clients through the Costa Rican residency system and know which approach is fastest for your specific situation.
Get Costa Rica Investor Residency →
Book a $49 consultation call to discuss your investment options →
costa rica residency · residency comparison · city guides.
Related: Costa Rica residency · Residency Comparison
