Our nation has a tendency to mix up the terms “Residency” and “Citizenship”, mainly due to lack of knowledge and understanding on the subject, incorrect info broadcasted in the media, or misleading conversations we hear from those around us.
For those who are not Costa Rican citizens, but still wish to live in the country either temporarily or permanently, it is essential to get well-informed on matters related to residency. This will help you make a wise decision if you’re considering becoming a Costa Rican resident.
Costa Rica Residency vs Citizenship
Legal residence is usually determined by how long a person lives or works in a certain place. It generally refers to being settled at a specific location because of work or other kinds of activities.
Citizenship is the process of obtaining a nationality in a foreign country after having an established connection – financially or through marriage – as a result of a long stay in that particular country. This can be done by citizens of any state.
As a resident of Costa Rica, you may lose certain rights that you had in your home country. However, it’s important to remember that becoming a permanent resident will not require you to renounce your citizenship in any way or give up any of the rights associated with it. Your passport and other documents remain unchanged and valid.
After going through the definitions, it’s easy to see that residents are those who live or come and stay in the country for some period of time while continuing to hold their foreign citizenship. This makes it easier to understand how these two popular terms differ from each other.
Becoming a citizen of Costa Rica requires permanent residency in the country for a certain length of time; those who meet these requirements can apply to obtain Costa Rican citizenship or give up their original nationality.
Regardless of the situation, there are some general standards that need to be followed along with a few cases that require more consideration.
Requirements for Costa Rica Residency
If you’re considering a temporary or permanent Costa Rica residency, make sure you have the necessary documents handy. These include a residency request letter that explains your reasons for applying and has been authenticated by a lawyer, a copy of your a valid ID, an official birth certificate, an up-to-date criminal record report, and payment of any paperwork or processing fees.
If you are hoping to get the Costa Rican citizenship, you must meet all the above requirements in addition to two witnesses who can testify on your behalf, and proof of income reviewed by an attorney.
Depending on which case you’re applying for, there will be different requirements. You can head over to our Costa Rica immigration and residency page to find out exactly which ones apply to your situation.
Apart from the limited number of exceptional cases, such as marriage, having a child in Costa Rica, or being born abroad but with Costa Rican parents, acquiring residency or citizenship can be complicated.
If you’re looking to get your residency, investing US$200,000 into Costa Rica real estate is a great option. Not only does it help speed up the process, but also allows you to benefit from acquiring your residency more quickly.
Investing in Costa Rica can be made even more appealing with added bonuses such as free healthcare.
Contact a Costa Rica Immigration Lawyer Today
If you have any questions about Costa Rica residency or citizenship, an expert Costa Rica immigration lawyer is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information – we’d be more than happy to assist!