Costa Rica grants temporary residence to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in the country. Pakistani nationals apply on the same terms as other foreign nationals. This page explains the route and where to confirm the current figures.
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.
There is no nationality bar that excludes Pakistani applicants. The investor category, known as inversionista, is open to any foreign national who can show a qualifying investment and the legal source of funds. Applicants provide police clearance, a birth certificate and supporting documents, usually legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish.
The investment must be genuine and documented, in real estate, a business, shares or another approved category. Confirm the precise document and investment rules with the official authority before you commit.
The investor route grants temporary residence in the inversionista category. Qualifying investments include real estate, a registered Costa Rican business or other categories the authority recognises, with a lower threshold available for certain forestry projects.
Reporting on social security may apply once resident. Confirm which investment category fits your plan, and the current threshold, with the official authority.
Temporary residence is usually granted for two years and is renewable while the investment is maintained. After a qualifying period of temporary residence, holders may apply for permanent residence under separate rules.
Processing time depends on the completeness of the file and current caseloads at the authority. Confirm current processing times and renewal terms with the official authority.
The dominant cost is the qualifying investment, which is held as an asset rather than spent. Government filing fees, a deposit and professional and translation costs are separate. Reports in 2026 cite a minimum investment near US$150,000, with some sources citing a higher figure, so confirm the current threshold with the official authority. Use the table as a checklist.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying investment | Reported near US$150,000, confirm the current figure with the official authority | Real estate, business or approved category |
| Forestry project route | Lower threshold reported, confirm with the official authority | Specific approved projects |
| Government filing and deposit | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Set by the authority |
| Professional and translation costs | Varies by case | Set independently |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (DGME), Costa Rica publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Yes. The inversionista category is not restricted by nationality. Pakistani applicants meet the investment and document tests on the same terms. Confirm with the official authority.
No. The investor route grants temporary residence that can lead to permanent residence and, later, to a citizenship application under separate rules. Confirm with the official authority.
Real estate, a registered business, shares or other approved categories, with a lower threshold for certain forestry projects. Confirm the current threshold and accepted categories with the official authority.
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.
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