Becoming a citizen of Costa Rica is an attractive prospect for many people living in this stunning corner of the Caribbean. This guide details the process for applying for citizenship in Costa Rica and how to get a Costa Rica passport.
Different Ways to Get Costa Rican Citizenship
Seeking the perks of Costa Rican citizenship? You can obtain citizenship by birthright, descent, or naturalization. Additionally, Costa Rica allows for other ways to gain citizenship, such as marriage.
Citizenship By Birthright in Costa Rica
To acquire citizenship in Costa Rica by birthright, certain requirements must be fulfilled:
- You were born in Costa Rica to Costa Rican parents.
- You were born in Costa Rica to foreign parents, but were officially registered with the Civil Registry before turning 18. If this isn’t completed, then you would need to register yourself before turning 25.
Citizenship By Descent in Costa Rica
If you have Costa Rican parents and were born abroad, you are eligible become a citizen of Costa Rica and obtain a passport. This is called citizenship by descent, and for it to be validated, you need to be listed in the Civil Registry records.
The criteria for eligibility are that both parents had Costa Rican nationality when you were born abroad. If you are under 18, your parent can register you. The registration process must be completed before the age of 18, or you must do it yourself before turning 25.
Citizenship By Naturalization in Costa Rica
Apart from birth, another way to obtain Costa Rican citizenship is through naturalization, which is also known as Naturalización. To qualify, you need be living in Costa Rica legally.
How Long Does it Take to Qualify for Naturalization?
For most applicants it takes seven years to qualify for naturalization. People from Central American countries, Spanish Citizens, and Latin Americans by birth can become qualified in just five years.
If you are married to a Costa Rican national, qualification for citizenship takes just two years. This process is often referred to as citizenship by marriage. To follow the regulations of this process, your marriage should take place in Costa Rica and be legally registered in the Civil Registry Office.
If your spouse is a permanent resident of Costa Rica, you can apply for temporary residence. After being married for three years, you would then be eligible to apply for permanent residency. It is important to note that the Costa Rican Government must legally recognize your marriage in order to qualify.
In order to be eligible to live and work in Costa Rica, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 or older
- Have legal residence and a clean criminal record
- Provide evidence of a source of income while in Costa Rica
- Be able to read, write, and speak Spanish
- Successfully pass the Education Ministry exam on Costa Rican history and values, or be able to supply valid proof of education in Costa Rica
- Two witnesses who can back up your character and livelihood
Is it Possible to Gain Citizenship by Investment (CBI) in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica does not offer a citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program, opting instead for the residency-by-investment (RBI) program. To be eligible, individuals have to make a minimum investment of US$200,000 in active business enterprises, securities, timber plantations, or real estate.
After gaining temporary residency status for 3 years, you can take the next step and apply for permanent residence. After that, you can apply for citizenship after just 1 year of being a permanent resident.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship Through Temporary Resident Permits
The Temporary Pensionado (retiree) and Temporary Rentista (fixed income) Residencies can grant you permanent residency status after three years, which eventually leads to acquiring full citizenship.
Costa Rica Citizenship by Naturalization
When applying for acquisition of Costa Rican Citizenship by naturalization, you will need to provide certain documents. These include: an application or cover letter, birth certificate, proof of income, five passport-sized photographs, and an up-to-date DIMEX card.
The steps to acquire citizenship through naturalization by marriage usually take around 200 days or around ten months, and there are no fees involved. After you get approval, you can then apply for a national ID and passport. When naturalizing by marriage however, you may need to provide extra documents and information, such as your spouses valid Costa Rican ID, and a marriage certificate from the Civil Registry.
It’s important to note that the Options and Naturalization Department of the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones is in charge of processing applications for naturalization, not Immigration.
The Advantages of Citizenship in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has become a highly attractive destination for people around the world due to its varied opportunities. Surveys conducted by expats show that it’s one of the best countries to live in when considering factors like work, lifestyle and cost of living. Below are some perks enjoyed by Costa Rican citizens.
Costa Rican Passport
Costa Rica offers its citizens one of the most powerful passports on the market. It grants you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 150 countries and territories, putting it above many of its regional peers.
Dual Citizenship
In most cases, dual citizenship is allowed in Costa Rica, so you won’t have to give up your original citizenship. Nevertheless, it’s also important that you look into the naturalization laws of your home country before taking any steps forward.
Get in touch with our experts and discover the advantages (or disadvantages) of having dual citizenship.
Easily Leave and Return to the Country
Costa Ricans have the privilege of leaving the country for many years and returning without any problems. This is different from being a resident, though; if a resident leaves the country for too long, they must apply for suspension of their residency status.
Right of Abode
Being a citizen of Costa Rica gives you a unique freedom – the liberty to live and work in the country without any restrictions. You won’t have to worry about getting your residency permit renewed or visa applications either. Moreover, you are allowed to stand for, as well as vote in the local elections.
Citizenship Laws in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has its own set of legal regulations for obtaining residency or citizenship, which are guided by the Ley de Opciones y Naturalizaciones. This law outlines who is eligible to become a Costa Rican citizen.
Contact an Experienced Immigration Lawyer
If you’re interested in Costa Rica citizenship, your best bet is to get in touch with an experienced immigration lawyer. They will walk you through the process of obtaining citizenship and a passport, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken.
Contact our Costa Rica legal experts today for more information.