Move to Costa Rica. The routes, mapped.
7 visa routes into Costa Rica, each with its real required-document list, pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
United States to Costa Rica: the money facts
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
How you can legally move to Costa Rica
7 visa routes into Costa Rica, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inversionista | Varies | 2 years~14 wks processing 路 Renewable | $250 fee$5,000 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | An investor residency for those who place at least $150,000 USD in qualifying Costa Rican assets, granting a renewable 24-month permit with dependents allowed. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Hague Apostille (US), Birth Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, Investment Certification Letter, Property Title Registry Cert, +3 more Official source |
| Pensionado | $1,000/mo | 2 years~12 wks processing 路 Renewable | $250 fee$3,000 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A retiree residency for those receiving at least $1,000 per month from a guaranteed lifetime pension, covering dependents and renewable every two years. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Hague Apostille (US), Birth Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, SSA Benefit Verification / Award Letter (Apostilled) 路a, Pension Certification Letter, +2 more Official source |
| Rentista | $2,500/mo | 2 years~12 wks processing 路 Renewable | $250 fee$3,500 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 24-month renewable temporary residency for foreigners who can show at least $2,500 per month in stable foreign income, covering dependents and allowing remote work. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Hague Apostille (US), Birth Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, Bank Certification Letter, Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, Spanish Translation Certified, +2 more Official source |
| Digital Nomad Visa (Estancia) | $3,000/mo | 1 year~4 wks processing 路 Renewable | $100 fee$800 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 12-month renewable remote-work permit for digital nomads earning at least $3,000 per month from foreign employers, with 0% Costa Rican tax on foreign-source income. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Hague Apostille (US), Bank Statements 12mo, Employer Letter Notarized, Health Insurance Proof (Costa Rica-valid), Spanish Translation Certified, +1 more Official source |
| Tourist Entry (Visa-Free) | Varies | 6 months | $29 all-in | Family ok | A visa-free tourist entry allowing travelers from about 95 eligible countries to stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days, with no advance application required. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Onward Return Ticket, Yellow Fever Vaccine Conditional Official source |
| Permanent Residency (Residencia Permanente) | Varies | 5 years~24 wks processing 路 Renewable | $250 fee$3,000 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 5-year renewable permanent residency for those who have completed 3 years of Costa Rican temporary residency, granting the right to work locally and serving as the prerequisite for naturalization. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Hague Apostille (US), Cedula Residencia Temporary Renewal Receipts, CCSS Caja Good Standing Letter, Application Form Migracion PR, Spanish Translation Certified Official source |
| Naturalization (Carta de Naturalizaci贸n) | Varies | Varies~78 wks processing | $250 fee$3,500 all-in | Citizenship route for long-term residents of Costa Rica who meet residency, Spanish language, and civics requirements, with dual nationality permitted. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Cedula Residencia Permanente, FBI Background Check Final, Hague Apostille (US), CR Poder Judicial Antecedentes, Birth Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, +5 more Official source |
Two things to line up before you land in Costa Rica
Coverage that satisfies the visa from day one, and data the moment you clear the gate. Both bookable before you fly.
Coverage that crosses borders with you, so a hospital visit abroad never becomes the reason you go home.
Get expat health insurance
via SafetyWingSafetyWing covers you in 175+ countries for ~$45/mo.
See a quoteAffiliate links. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Activate before takeoff and step off the plane already online, no scrambling for a kiosk or a local SIM.
Land with data already working
via AiraloInstall an Airalo eSIM before you fly. It covers 200+ countries and switches on the moment you land.
Get your eSIMUnlimited data for the landing weeks
via YesimYesim runs unlimited plans in 150+ countries, so apartment hunting, maps, and bank calls never hit a cap.
See unlimited plansAffiliate links. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Which route is right for you?
Answer 3 questions and Nomad picks the best-fit visa for your work, timeline, and family, then builds the full document checklist and a 90-day plan to Costa Rica.
Free to start. No card required for the plan preview.