Costa Rica Immigration
Download this article in pdf format 
Costa Rica, an oasis for the immigrants
Costa Rica is an Independent country in the isthmus of Central America.
Noted for its political stability, Costa Rica is a culturally congenial country which reveres foreign visitors and immigrants. The country swears by a staunch loyalty to Democracy and as such has disbanded its military altogether, leaving no chance of a coup whatever. Climatically it is blessed with sun shine all round the year. It is a heaven of peace in the midst of poverty stricken and strife ridden neighbors like Honduras and Nicaragua. The Costa Rican colon is the unit of currency trading around 515 to the U.S. dollar. San José is the capital of Costa Rica.
Culture and lifestyle
What attracts a possible immigrant to Costa Rica is its permissive and pluralistic outlook. Flirtation is an innate quality with the young female generation of Costa Rica and no male of Costa Rica is jealous or possessive about their women trying to propitiate the outsiders. As with any country where tourism is in focus, dancing bars, casinos, cinema theaters, discotheque halls, multi-cuisine restaurants abound in the county with a dusk - to -dawn indoor night life that add pep to the expectant tourists. Open air entertainments such as unpolluted beaching, sea surfing, rafting etc are additional attractions.
Costa Rica Immigration Laws
As for people wanting to immigrate, the country has basically three types of immigration. The first option will be to move in as pensioners or Pensionados as they are locally called, with a provable life pension income of above $600 per month. The Rentistas are another kind of permanent immigration status given to those without pension but with adequate other income says above $1000 p.m. to sustain oneself in Costa Rica. The third choice is to move in as Inversionists or as those wanting to invest in certain Costa Rican Industries, above $100,000 in an approved tourism project or above $200,000 in other businesses. The above categories of immigrants are allowed to bring their wives and children lower than 18 as dependents under proper documentation. There are also temporary work permits, student permits, and permanent residency for the relatives of Costa Rican citizens which are given under stiff stipulations.
Costa Rica Immigration documentation
Basic Costa Rica immigration documentation involves producing original birth certificate, first and last name of the applicant, his father’s name and mother’s maiden name, Nationality, Marital Status, passport with date of entry, Criminal Record, 4 recent photos and necessary fees. All documents must be translated in Spanish and must be certified by the applicant country’s Costa Rican Consulate. The processing work may extend anywhere from three to six months in a normal case and lot more in complicated applications.
Why should one seek legal advice?
A parting shot of advice for the likely immigrant. Lately, it is seen that Costa Rica immigration rules are turning tougher by the day. If you do not know Spanish, you may be taken for ride in this alien country by unscrupulous elements. The only way to escape this pitfall is to go through a reputed legal service provider.
