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What documents do I need to move to Costa Rica as a United States citizen?

Typical pathway: Rentista

Last verified: September 22, 2026

• Valid U.S. passport (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Original U.S. passport valid throughout the process. Because Rentista files are resolved in up to 90 days by law but commonly take 6-14 months in practice, ensure validity well beyond filing so it does not expire mid-process.
• Certified photocopy of all used passport pages (before) — Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), Costa Rica
  Full photocopy of every page of the passport containing stamps or data, certified/authenticated by a Costa Rican notary (notario público). This is a separate document from the original passport and from the biometric photos.
• Two passport-size photographs of the applicant (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Two recent passport-format photos of the applicant submitted with the DGME file. Some consulates and gestores request four; verify the exact number with the office receiving your file, as practice varies.
• U.S. birth certificate with federal apostille (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  State-issued long-form birth certificate, apostilled under the Hague Convention. DGME requires it legalized/apostilled; the apostille is commonly expected to have been issued within the last six months, so order it close to filing.
• FBI Identity History Summary (criminal record) with apostille (before) — Source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks / U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications
  Federal-level U.S. police clearance covering places of residence for the last several years, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. Typically treated as valid only ~6 months from issuance.
• Apostilled marriage certificate (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Only if a spouse is being included as a dependent on the Rentista file (the US$2,500/month threshold covers the applicant plus dependents). Must be apostilled and translated.
• Proof of guaranteed passive income of US$2,500/month for 24 months (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Bank or financial-institution certification letter confirming stable, permanent, guaranteed monthly income of at least US$2,500 for a minimum of two years, legalized/apostilled if issued abroad. Salary or employment income from a foreign employer is not accepted for Rentista; income must be passive (investments, dividends, rents, annuities, trust distributions).
• Costa Rican bank certification of US$60,000 deposit (alternative route) (before) — Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), Costa Rica
  Alternative to the foreign income letter: certification from a Costa Rican bank confirming a US$60,000 deposit structured to disburse US$2,500 per month over 24 months. Bank acceptance criteria differ by institution; verify current structuring rules directly with the bank and DGME.
• Costa Rican CPA (contador público autorizado) income certification (before) — Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), Costa Rica
  Certification from an accountant registered in Costa Rica attesting to the source and sufficiency of the income. Frequently requested to support or replace a foreign bank letter; confirm whether your reviewing officer requires it, as this is discretionary practice rather than a fixed statutory item.
• Official Spanish translation of all foreign-language documents (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Every document not issued in Spanish must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish, or a translation by a notary public certified in the language. Apply this to the birth certificate, FBI record, marriage certificate and income letters.
• Written application for legal residence (solicitud de permanencia legal) (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Signed petition stating the applicant's personal particulars, the category requested (rentista), current domicile and an address or means for legal notifications. Must be signed in the presence of a public official or authenticated by a Costa Rican attorney.
• Completed DGME application/filiation form (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/
  The official immigration data form for the residency file, completed and signed. Available from DGME; filing may be done at DGME in Costa Rica or at a Costa Rican consulate in the U.S.
• US$50 application fee deposit receipt (before) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Proof of payment of US$50 (or colón equivalent at the BCCR reference rate) in favor of the Government for the temporary residence application under Article 255 of the Immigration Law. Depositor name must match the applicant.
• Migration rights deposit receipt (¢1,000 at Banco de Costa Rica) (before) — Source: Banco de Costa Rica / Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME)
  Separate deposit slip for migration service rights paid at Banco de Costa Rica, showing the applicant's full name. Distinct from the US$50 application fee; confirm the current amount before paying.
• U.S. consular registration confirmation (STEP enrollment) (before) — Source: https://step.state.gov
  Registration of the applicant with the U.S. Embassy in San José via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program; sometimes requested as consular-registration evidence in the residency file. Not a statutory DGME requirement in all cases — verify with your consulate or DGME.
• Fingerprint registration at the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (during) — Source: Ministerio de Seguridad Pública de Costa Rica – Archivo Criminal
  In-person fingerprinting (huellas dactilares) at the Archivo Criminal / Ministry of Public Security in Costa Rica, by appointment, with the appointment form presented on site. The resulting record is filed with DGME.
• Certification of Costa Rican domicile (during) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/regularizacion/
  Document issued by the local Delegation of the Ministry of Public Security for the applicant's place of residence certifying the domicile, or an equivalent proof of address matching the residency file and the CCSS/EBAIS clinic assignment.
• Costa Rican bank account opening file (during) — Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), Costa Rica
  Account-opening documentation (passport, proof of address, source-of-funds evidence). Pre-approval accounts are typically limited in functionality; full access, including SINPE transfers, generally follows DIMEX issuance. Required where the US$60,000 deposit route is used.
• Proof of CCSS affiliation (comprobante de afiliación) (after) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/dimex/
  Enrollment in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social after approval, with the affiliation receipt and assigned EBAIS clinic. Contributions are calculated on declared income; this proof is an express requirement for DIMEX issuance and renewal.
• DIMEX residency card issuance at Banco de Costa Rica (after) — Source: https://migracion.go.cr/dimex/
  After the approval resolution and CCSS enrollment, book a BCR appointment, pay the card fees stated in the resolution, and have the photo taken; BCR issues the DIMEX. Renewal must be initiated before expiry, with proof of continued US$2,500/month income or extension of the bank guarantee plus CCSS payments up to date; a US$3 per-month surcharge applies for late renewal, and a DIMEX expired over three months forces a brand-new category application.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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