Costa Rica Immigration Services

Newland Chase offers full support with all aspects of corporate immigration to Costa Rica. Please find an overview of the typical corporate immigration processes below. Every situation is unique, so please do get in touch, either through your usual Newland Chase contact or using the details on the right hand side of the page. Our immigration experts will be glad to discuss your needs in greater detail.

Immigration Summary

The applicant enters the country as a visitor and temporary residence permission (permanencia legal) is applied for in-country. Certain nationals require a consular Visitor Visa, others a Restricted Visa, and some can enter visa-free. The requirement to obtain a visa is also waived if the applicant holds any multiple visa valid for at least six months in the United States, Canada and the European Union or a tourist/business visa for the United States or Canada provided that the visa is stamped in the passport and valid for at least three months from the date of entry to Costa Rica.

The Temporary Residence for Local Hires is applicable to qualified employees (such as executives or technical experts) and involves a post-arrival change of status.

The Permit of Stay for Assignees is applicable to highly qualified assignees, specialists, or assignees holding a high-ranking position, who will remain on home contract and who are sent to a Costa Rican company. The Costa Rican entity can apply for a temporary authorisation of stay (Estancia) for the applicant for up to one year (renewable for an additional year).

Note that when the Costa Rican company is registered with the Costa Rican Immigration Authorities (DGME), document requirements are different and processing times are significantly shorter.