The visas that fall under Temporary Residency are temporary work visas and student visas.
A work visa is generally issued for the duration of six months and can be renewed by another six months. Typically, work permits are given to foreign professionals and highly trained technicians hired by local companies. The application has to be approved of by the Immigration department and the Work department. After the temporary permit is granted, a guarantee deposit of US$ 100 has to be made. The receipt of this deposit has to be presented at the consulate upon which the permit is issued.
In order to apply the following documents have to be submitted in Costa Rica:
Application Form. This application form will have to be addressed Department of Temporary Permits and Extensions at the General Directorate of Migration (GDM). Applications should include all personal data of the applicant and data on the contracting company.
GDM Application Form.
Statement of Employing Company. This statement should indicate what functions will be undertaken by the applicant, the length of the contract, salary and a certification of employment.
Certification of the Costa Rican Social Security Institution. This statement proves the company or the employer are registered and have no outstanding monetary obligations.
Legal Constitution and Registration Documents of the company.
Special Authority to Representative. Authority should be granted to a person in Costa Rica to represent the applicant. Personal data and an address of the representative within the judicial perimeter of San José should be indicated in this statement.
Birth Certificate. A certified copy of you and your dependent is required. Every birth certificate should have the parent’s names on it. Birth certificates have to be authenticated.
Photocopies of passport. The pages of the passport will have to be certified by the Consul, a Costa Rican notary public or a notary public of your country of residence. If the passport is certified by a notary public of your country of residence, the copies will have to be authenticated as well.
Marriage Certificate. This certificate has to be certified and authenticated.
Proof of Income. This can be a letter from your bank or from the government of your country of origin.
Police Statement of Good Conduct. This statement is issued by the authorities in your country of residence and valid for six months. If the six month period expires while you are still in you application procedures you have to obtain a new statement.
Background Check. Depending on the visa you apply for you might have to visit the Costa Rican Ministry of Security. They will take your fingerprints and run a background check.
Photographs. Four passport size photos are required but it is recommended to have several more.
Diplomas. If you want to practice a profession in Costa Rica you should provide copies of your diplomas and qualifications.
Join Professional Associations of your professional field.
If the application is approved, the applicant will have to make a deposit of US$ 100 or the equivalent in a national bank.
The temporary work permit can be renewed. In order to do so a new individual application letter, company application letter and Social Security Certification have to handed in at the General Direction of Immigration.
Costa Rican consulates and embassies do not issue student visas. This means that if you want to study in Costa Rica you need to enter the country on a tourist visa. See the tourism section for the requirements for your country of origin. Once you enter Costa Rica you will have two choices:
Attend school until your tourist visa expires In Costa Rica schools do not require a visa of their students. This means that if you come for a short term program, you can register yourself at the school of your choice, pay tuition and take your courses. If you need to stay longer in Costa Rica than your initial tourist visa allows you can leave the country by entering one of the neighboring countries en re-enter Costa Rica. Upon re-entering the country you will be given a new visa. If you are a national of one of the countries that always need to apply for a visa to come to Costa Rica, you are advised to contact the Immigration Department and apply for extension.
Attend school and file for a temporary residence permit
If you want to study a full academic or other higher education course in Costa Rica, you have to apply for a temporary residence permit at the Immigration Office upon enrolment at an accredited educational institution during the first period of your stay in the country. Even with a temporary residence permit you will have to apply for renewal every time the permit expires. Applications for a temporary residence permit within Costa Rica take between 90 and 180 days. In order to obtain your educational degree as a foreigner in Costa Rica you must have a temporary residence permit.
In order to apply for a temporary residence permit as a foreign student, the following requirements must be met:
You must be fulltime enrolled at an educational institution accredited my the Immigration Department
Be proficient in Spanish or study Spanish language
Have proof of sufficient funds
Maintain a residence abroad
In addition, the following documentation is required:
Application Form. This application form will have to be addressed to Director General of Migration.
Special Authority to Representative. Authority should be granted to a person in Costa Rica to represent the applicant. Personal data and an address of the representative within the judicial perimeter of San José should be indicated in this statement.
Birth Certificate. A certified copy of you and your dependent is required. Every birth certificate should have the parents names on it. Birth certificates have to be authenticated.
Photocopies of passport. The pages of the passport will have to be certified by the Consul, a Costa Rican notary public or a notary public of your country of residence. If the passport is certified by a notary public of your country of residence the copies will have to be authenticated as well.
Proof of Income/ sufficient funds. This can be a letter from your bank or from the government of your country of origin.
Police Statement of Good Conduct. This statement is issued by the authorities in your country of residence and valid for six months. If the six month period expires while you are still in you application procedures you have to obtain a new statement.
Background Check. Depending on the visa you apply for you might have to visit the Costa Rican Ministry of Security. They will take your fingerprints and run a background check.
Photographs. Four passport size photos are required but it is recommended to have several more.
Diplomas. If you want to practice a profession in Costa Rica you should provide your diplomas.
A student temporary visa request, containing full name of student, nationality, place and date of birth, marital status, current address and contact information, passport number and place and date of issuance, educational institution’s name and address, start and finish date of studies. If the applicant is younger than 18 years of age, a parent will have to sign.
Letter of acceptance by the educational institution, including the duration of the studies.
Additional documents may be required by the Immigration Department for each individual case.
Once temporary residence is granted, a guarantee deposit of US$ 100 has to be made. The receipt for this deposit needs to be presented at the Immigration Department before the visa will be issued.
(Student) Internships If you plan on doing an internship in Costa Rica you will have to apply for a (temporary) work permit. You will need to meet the same requirements as indicated under the work permits section.
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