If you are living in Costa Rica—or planning to move here under a residency category such as Pensionado, Rentista, Investor, or Permanent Residency—your immigration identification document is one of the most important legal documents you will carry.
Costa Rica’s Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) recently issued a new circular updating the official list of immigration identification documents currently recognized in Costa Rica. The update comes through Circular DG-0011-03-2026, which replaces the prior 2025 circular and clarifies which immigration identification cards remain valid for foreigners in Costa Rica.
This matters not only for immigration compliance, but also for banking, real estate closings, legal transactions, healthcare enrollment, social security registration, and notarial acts, since Costa Rican institutions rely heavily on valid immigration identification for identity verification.
The Dirección Nacional de Notariado (National Directorate of Notaries) has already advised Costa Rican notaries to carefully review these new rules because of their importance in verifying identity during legal transactions.
For expats and foreign residents, here’s what you need to know.
The Main Immigration ID Expats Will Carry: The DIMEX
For most expats residing legally in Costa Rica, the primary identification document is the DIMEX (Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros).
According to the new DGME circular, the DIMEX is the official identification issued to foreigners whose legal stay has been formally approved. Without valid identification, many transactions simply cannot proceed.
Residency Categories Most Relevant to Expats
1. Pensionado Residency
The Pensionado Residency category is designed for retirees receiving a permanent pension income.
Under the immigration system, Pensionados receive a DIMEX card showing their immigration category as a temporary resident.
Pensionado residents generally cannot simply accept unrestricted employment in Costa Rica unless immigration regulations permit the specific activity.
Your DIMEX serves as proof of your legal status for all day-to-day matters.
2. Rentista Residency
The Rentista Residency category remains a common pathway for expats who do not qualify under Pensionado but can demonstrate stable qualifying income or deposit structures.
Like Pensionado applicants, Rentistas receive a DIMEX as temporary residents.
3. Investor Residency
Costa Rica’s Investor Residency (Residencia por Inversión) is also a popular category for foreign applicants.
Approved investors also receive a DIMEX as temporary residents.
4. Permanent Residency
Permanent residency holders also receive a DIMEX—but with an important distinction.
The circular confirms that permanent residents may receive a DIMEX reflecting LIBRE DE CONDICIÓN, meaning unrestricted work authorization.
This means permanent residents generally enjoy broader rights than temporary residents regarding employment.
Permanent residency commonly applies to:
- Those who have held temporary residency for the qualifying period
- Certain first-degree relatives of Costa Rican citizens
- Other specific immigration pathways recognized by law
For many expats, permanent residency is the long-term goal because it provides greater flexibility.
Physical and Digital DIMEX: Both Matter
One important clarification in the 2026 circular is that DIMEX documents issued since January 2023 exist in two formats:
Physical card
Traditional plastic identification card.
Digital DIMEX
PDF-based immigration identification delivered electronically.
Both versions contain a QR verification system allowing institutions to validate authenticity through DGME systems.
Practical Advice for Expats
If you are moving to Costa Rica or already residing here:
Check your DIMEX expiration date
Expired documents can create problems with banks, legal transactions, and government services.
Carry your Dimex Card
The identification is mandatory for many tasks.
Confirm work authorization
Not every residency category carries unrestricted employment rights.
Coordinate renewals early
Appointment backlogs can create timing issues.
