American nationals can apply for Costa Rica investor residency, known locally as the inversionista category. It grants temporary residence in return for a qualifying investment, with a path to permanent residence later.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Costa Rica places no nationality bar on American applicants. You apply for temporary residence under the investor category by showing a qualifying investment and meeting standard document and background checks.
American citizens remain subject to US tax and reporting after gaining Costa Rican residence. Confirm your position with a licensed professional.
Qualifying investment types reported for the investor category include real estate, an active business or company shares, registered securities and venture capital, sustainable tourism or national interest projects, and forestry projects from a lower entry figure.
A reduced general threshold of 150,000 US dollars was introduced under Law 9996. That reduced figure is reported to apply during a window running until 14 July 2026, after which it is expected to revert higher unless the legislature renews it. Confirm the current figures and deadline with the official authority.
Investor residence applications are filed with the immigration authority and reviewed over a period of months. After holding temporary residence for the required period and meeting the conditions, you may apply to move to permanent residence.
Your own timing depends on document readiness and the review queue. Confirm current processing times with the official authority.
The main figure is the qualifying investment. On top of that sit government filing and residence fees, document legalisation and translation, and your own professional costs. A small obligatory contribution to the public health system also applies to residents.
Because the threshold is in a transition window, confirm the current figures and any deadline with the official authority before committing funds.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General investment threshold | Reported reduced figure of 150,000 US dollars under Law 9996 | Window reported until 14 July 2026. Confirm with the official authority |
| Forestry projects | Reported lower entry figure | Confirm the current figure with the official authority |
| Government and residence fees | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Plus public health contribution for residents |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. General Directorate of Migration and Immigration (Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria, DGME) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. It was introduced under Law 9996 and is reported to apply during a window running until 14 July 2026, after which it is expected to revert higher unless renewed. Confirm the current position with the immigration authority.
Not directly. It grants temporary then permanent residence. Costa Rican citizenship is a separate, later step with its own residence and language requirements.
The General Directorate of Migration and Immigration, known as the DGME, administers residence and publishes the binding rules.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
We introduce you to vetted, independent advisors, in confidence and at no obligation. Your topic is noted for you below.
Independent and paid by the people we help, never by a government and never by a firm.
One short email when a programme rule changes, with the official source named so you can verify it. No hype, unsubscribe anytime.