Meet Our Immigration Team
Our certified and reliable immigration consultants can help you obtain a positive decision on your case! We provide services in various areas of immigration, as well as related topics such as vital documents (birth certificates, background checks), translations, marriages and civil unions, driver's licenses, vehicle purchase and transfer, bank accounts, insurances, business and company services, and much more.
Byron Gomez
Alan Parker
Fernаndο Sobrаdο
Fernán Pacheco
Jonathan Morales
Johanna Álvarez
Glenn Tellier
CRIE Has Been Helping Prospective Residents Since 2000
CRIE helps people obtain legal residency and immigration status in Costa Rica with a process that is organized, category-correct, and document-complete. If you are planning a move to Costa Rica, the immigration side is where most delays happen: document timing, apostilles, translations, and small inconsistencies that trigger requests for clarification.
This page explains what CRIE does, how we support your residency journey from start to finish, and what you can expect when you work with our team. We’ll confirm eligibility on WhatsApp so you know the cleanest path before you start ordering documents.
What CRIE Does
CRIE focuses on Costa Rica immigration and residency only. Our job is to help you choose the correct residency category, prepare a clean document plan, and guide your case through the process in the correct sequence so you avoid preventable delays.
- Eligibility review and category selection based on your goals and documentation.
- Document planning with timing guidance for validity windows, authentication, and translations.
- Application preparation and submission support based on the requirements of your category.
- Guidance through post-approval steps like documentation and renewals.
Who We Help
Most CRIE clients are planning a long-term life in Costa Rica and want the residency process handled correctly. We commonly help:
- Retirees exploring Pensionado residency.
- Applicants with guaranteed foreign income exploring Rentista residency.
- Applicants who qualify through Investor residency.
- Families qualifying through Costa Rican family ties.
- Applicants moving from temporary residency toward permanent residency.
- Long-term residents planning future citizenship timelines.
Not a Fit If…
- You are looking for lending, real estate, banking, or other non-immigration services.
- You want a DIY checklist that replaces the process and professional review.
- You want pricing on the website (CRIE does not publish service pricing on pages).
Why People Struggle With Costa Rica Residency
Most residency problems are not caused by big mistakes. They are caused by small mistakes repeated across documents: an apostille done incorrectly, a police record that is outside the validity window, a translation that is not done in the correct format, or a name that does not match exactly across every document.
- Incorrect or incomplete documentation at submission.
- Choosing the wrong residency category for the applicant’s situation.
- Missing apostille or using the wrong authentication method.
- Unclear translations or translations that do not match the authenticated original.
- Underestimating document timing and expiration windows.
How CRIE Approaches the Residency Process
CRIE uses a structured approach so nothing falls through the cracks. We focus on the parts that most often cause delays: category selection, document planning, and consistency across the entire file.
What we do
- Confirm the best category for your goals and situation.
- Create a clear checklist and timing plan for your specific case.
- Flag issues early: name mismatches, missing authentication, and translation needs.
- Keep your case organized and trackable from start to finish.
What you do
- Share your background and goals so category selection is correct.
- Provide the required foreign documents using the timing guidance we give you.
- Respond quickly if a clarification or additional document is requested.
- Attend required appointments as needed during the process.
Our Immigration Team
CRIE’s team includes experienced professionals focused on Costa Rica immigration and residency support. Team members listed on this page include:
- Johanna Álvarez – Chief Executive & Operations Officer | Immigration Expert
- Jonathan Morales – Chief Executive & Strategy Officer
- Fernán Pacheco – Attorney
- Fernando Sobrado – Attorney
- Alan Parker – Residency & Relocation Advisor
- Glenn Tellier – Founder and former CEO
Residency Options We Commonly Support
CRIE works across Costa Rica residency pathways and helps you choose the category that fits your case. If your long-term goal is permanent residency, it is important to start with the correct category and keep your status compliant from the beginning.
- Pensionado – US$1,000/month pension.
- Rentista – US$2,500/month guaranteed foreign income for two years (income-only).
- Investor – US$150,000 investment (documentation details matter).
- Family ties – qualifying relationships can create different paths depending on your case.
Note: The Digital Nomad Visa is not residency and does not count toward permanent residency timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle immigration and residency only?
Yes. CRIE focuses on Costa Rica immigration and residency matters only.
What is the first step if I want residency in Costa Rica?
The first step is confirming which category fits and what documents you should order first. That prevents wasted time and document rework.
Do you publish service pricing on the website?
No. We confirm your category and situation first, then explain the next steps and how we can support you.
Can you help if I already started the process and ran into problems?
Often yes. The key is understanding what was submitted, what is missing, and how to correct the file without creating new delays.
Does the Digital Nomad Visa lead to permanent residency?
No. Digital Nomad is not residency and does not count toward permanent residency timelines.
Message CRIE on WhatsApp
If you want residency in Costa Rica, start with clarity. We’ll confirm eligibility on WhatsApp and outline the cleanest path based on your situation.
WhatsApp: +506 8706 3888
Email: info@crie.cr
Professional Disclaimer
This page is provided for general informational purposes only. Immigration rules, internal criteria, and required documentation can change. Information on this page is based on, and checked against, Costa Rica’s official immigration authority (Migración/DGME): https://migracion.go.cr/.