What does it mean to naturalize?
Foreigners who come to Costa Rica fall in love with the country on their first visit. Many return annually to enjoy the iconic beaches, scenic mountains and countless sights filled with nature and peace. Many decide to start a new life in such a beautiful and peaceful country. The naturalization process in Costa Rica is easier than you think.
Costa Rica is the country in Latin America with the highest percentage of immigrants living within the territory. It is estimated that 9% of the total population are foreigners. There are approximately 85,000 Americans and 5,000 Canadians currently residing in Costa Rica (figures for the last five years). Typically, immigrants must reside in the country for seven years or be married to a Costa Rican for two years. Not many know, but there is a faster way: the investor visa. Here we detail how to complete this process.
The investor visa: calculations and costs
The investor visa is a temporary residency visa for foreigners who have invested in real estate, stocks, active companies, securities or forestry plantations. The minimum is $200,000 (discussions are underway to lower it to $150,000), it is valid for two years and can be renewed if the investment is maintained. For renewal there is a need to prove that the investor has lived in Costa Rica for at least 6 months, whether continuous or discontinuous. The residency includes and covers the spouse and children under 25 or children over 25 with disabilities. After residing in the country with this temporary permit for 3 years, foreigners may apply for permanent residency.
Other countries such as Antigua and Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Singapore, Bulgaria and Austria also give this opportunity to foreigners. Costa Rica stands out among all of these as most of them only offer citizenship and not residency. This can be conflicting depending on dual nationality treaties. The resident permit is actually a straightforward process whose big step is the initial investment of $150,000. This total may include a house, cars, or other assets. Some European countries require up to 1 million euros, making Costa Rica's offer more attractive.
Ready to take the plunge: invest in an apartment today
If you are planning to retire in a country with a pleasant climate, safe, and natural views, consider Costa Rica as a viable option. Our residential project El Canal is located in the blue and green mountains of Grecia, Alajuela. We are offering houses and apartments of which some cost more than $150,000, opening the way to an investor visa. We also offer help and lawyers with the legal process.
If you are ready to invest, do not hesitate to schedule a call, appointment, or write to us to clarify any doubts.
Make an appointment: https://elcanal.wpengine.com/citas/
Questions by mail: ventas@condominioelcanal.com