COSTA RICA IMMIGRATION & MOVING EXPERTS
Timeline for Individuals / Families
Considering Making the Move to Costa Rica
Sometime in the Future
Step 1: Prospects gather their paperwork required from their home country. We assist the client in the gathering of paperwork.
Step 2: Prospect comes to Costa Rica where we meet and review paperwork presented and then meet with lawyer. Legal paperwork required from local sources created and steps taken to open file on behalf of prospect(s) at Immigration. With proof of application, appointment made to finalize balance of paperwork.
Step 3: All paperwork submitted at Immigration.
Submitted by Costa Rica Immigration & Moving Experts.
Immigration process starts.
Step 4: Approximately 10-12 months’ time frame, Immigration advises application is accepted. At that time, all individuals have maximum of three months to return to Costa Rica.
Step 5: Prospect completes final step of application process by joining compulsory medical program. Security deposit and Dimex fee
deposited with Immigration. Appointment made for you to pick up your cedula, also known as, "Dimex card".
Step 6: Renewal time at end of 24 months
(operative word, "renewal", and not, "reapplying").
Step 7: Obligation to be in Costa Rica at least 1 time during first
24 months. Most people make their visit near renewal time.
Step 8: Renewal valid for 24 months.
Step 9: Very Important / Upon having your cedula (Step 5) for a total of 36 months, you can request for and expect to receive a change from "temporary" to "permanent" status. With this change, you are legally able to work here in Costa Rica. You can compete in the local work force against a natural-born Costa Rican or a fellow expat who has already received permanent status.
Step 10: Based on the above scenario, a person considering early retirement from their home country, but wanting/needing to supplement their finances, would have the legal right to work here,
own a business, run that business, draw a salary, etc.
Pros to Applying Early:
-Ability to work sooner upon arrival.
-Cedula with permanent status in your possession, which assists with legal and commercial transactions,
-Have immediate medical coverage, called the "CAJA", from the time Step #5 is completed. You are covered for pre-existing and future medical conditions.
-From the time of Step 3, any changes regarding requirements by Immigration would not be applicable to you unless
changes are in your favor.
Cons to Applying Early:
-You are responsible for payments into the CAJA. Payments vary based on reported income. CAJA remains a very good back-up medical
program to your existing home-country medical policy/program.
