Obtaining Residency in Costa Rica as a Child of Costa Rican Parents: A Comprehensive Guide
Who is eligible for residency as a child of Costa Rican parents?
If you are the child of a Costa Rican citizen, you may be eligible for residency under the ‘Residency for Children’ category in Costa Rica. Eligibility requires your Costa Rican parent’s name to be listed on your birth certificate, which must be registered with the Civil Registry. Additionally, if you have siblings under 25 who are not Costa Rican citizens, they may also be considered for residency as dependents.
If you were born outside Costa Rica to a Costa Rican parent, you can apply for naturalization. Assistance is available for registering with the Costa Rican Civil Registry. For more information on this process, please refer to the provided link.
Benefits of Choosing the Residency for Children Category
This category offers several benefits:
- Permanent Residency: As the child of a Costa Rican citizen, you will be granted permanent residency.
- Dependents: Include dependents in your residency application.
- Employment Opportunities: You can work in Costa Rica, either as an employee or independently.
- Business Ownership: You are allowed to own a company and receive dividends.
Requirements for Residency as a Child of a Costa Rican Citizen
The primary requirement is having your Costa Rican parent named on your birth certificate.
Documents Required
- Criminal Background Check: Certifying a clean criminal record.
- Birth Certificate: A certified copy where your Costa Rican parent is listed.
- Marriage Certificate: If applicable, a certified copy is needed.
All documents must be apostilled or authenticated, depending on your home country’s status with the Apostille Convention.
Residency Process: No Need to Leave Every 180 Days
Once you initiate the residency process, you’ll receive a “Hoja trámite” from immigration, allowing legal stay in Costa Rica during application processing, thus eliminating the need to leave the country every 180 days. However, for driving legality, exiting the country every 180 days remains necessary.
Fees & Expenses
Available by email or call
The cost is influenced by a variety of factors that vary on a case-by-case basis. For more detailed information:
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +506 8500 2085
In addition to the service fees charged by the immigration assistance provider, there are other associated expenses when applying for Residency as a costa rican child. Please note that these prices do not include government fees and other expenses related to the residency process.
Apart from our service fees, please keep in mind that there will be government fees and additional expenses, such as translations into Spanish, immigration appointments, local fingerprints appointments, ID card issuance (DIMEX), a refundable guarantee deposit, and Caja registration. For detailed information on these fees and expenses, please refer to our website.
Timeframe and possible Extension for Document Submission
Once your application case file is opened, you will have 180 days to submit all the required documents to the Immigration Department (DGME). However, we understand that there may be instances where it is challenging to obtain the necessary documents within the allotted time frame. In such cases, CRIE can request a one-time extension to submit the documents, at an additional cost of $100 USD per extension.
It is important to note that if we need to submit a time extension request on your behalf, prompt payment for the extension is necessary to avoid the risk of having your case file discarded by the Immigration Department (DGME).
For detailed information on the fees, expenses, and processes involved in applying for Residency as a Parent of a Costa Rican citizen, please refer to our e-book. The e-book provides comprehensive guidance and can be accessed on our website.
Please be aware that the prices mentioned above do not include taxes, and all prices are subject to change without prior notice. We recommend checking our website regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Conclusion
This category offers a beneficial opportunity for children of Costa Rican citizens to obtain residency, including various advantages such as permanent residency and employment opportunities. By fulfilling the requirements and submitting the necessary documents, you can start your journey to residency in Costa Rica.