If you are applying for Residency in Costa Rica, sooner or later you will receive an official Immigration Administrative Resolution from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME).
This document is the formal government decision that approves your temporary residency status in Costa Rica. It sets the conditions you must comply with, and explains the legal consequences if those conditions are not met.
In this article, I will break down for you what a Costa Rica Immigration Resolution is, what it means for Residency applicants, and we provide direct access to both the Spanish original and a literal English translation for your review.
This example is based on an Investor Residency approval but the content will be similar for either Pensionado or Rentista residency.
Watch the Video: Costa RicaResidency Resolution Explained
In the video above, we walk through a real Investor Residency approval resolution, explain what each section means, and highlight the most important compliance issues investors need to understand after approval.
What Is a Costa Rica Immigration Resolution?
An Immigration Resolution is an official administrative decision issued by Costa Rica’s Department of Immigration after reviewing a residency application.
For Investor Residency, the resolution confirms that:
Your investment meets the minimum legal threshold
Your application was approved under Law No. 9996
You are granted Temporary Residence as an Investor
You must comply with specific legal, tax, and immigration obligations.
The resolution governs your legal status in Costa Rica.
Legal Basis for Investor Residency in Costa Rica
The Investor Residency resolution is issued under the following legal framework:
Law No. 8764 – General Immigration and Foreigners Law
Law No. 9996 – Law for the Attraction of Investors, Rentiers, and Pensioners
Executive Decree No. 43926-MGP-H-TUR – Regulations to Law No. 9996
These laws authorize Costa Rica to grant temporary residence for up to two (2) years, renewable, to foreigners who make a qualifying investment of at least USD $150,000.
Key Sections of the Immigration Resolution (Explained)
1. RESULTANDO (Background of the Case)
This section confirms:
The date your residency application was filed
The type of residency requested (Investor – Real Estate)
The investment amount verified by Immigration
The property location and registration details
That the application was reviewed according to the correct law and regulations
2. CONSIDERANDO (Legal Analysis)
Here, Immigration explains why your application qualifies, including:
Confirmation that the investment meets or exceeds USD $150,000
Verification that the investment complies with Law 9996
Legal authority allowing Immigration to grant temporary residence
Reference to the applicable articles of Costa Rican law
This section is essentially the legal justification for approving your residency.
3. POR TANTO / RESUELVE (The Decision)
This is the most important part of the resolution. It officially states that:
Temporary Residence as an Investor is granted
The validity period is two (2) years
The residency is renewable
You are not authorized to perform remunerated work
The investment must be maintained continuously and without interruption
AdInvestor Obligations After Approvald Your Heading Text Here
Once your resolution is issued, you must comply with ongoing requirements, including:
✔ CCSS Enrollment
You must be affiliated with Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and remain current on payments.
✔ Tax Compliance
If registered with the Tax Authority (DGT), you must remain current on:
National taxes
Solidarity tax for housing programs (when applicable)
✔ DIMEX Issuance & Renewal
You must schedule appointments for:
First-time DIMEX issuance
Renewals (appointments are individual and time-sensitive)
✔ Maintain the Investment
For renewals, Immigration requires proof that:
The investment was maintained continuously
No interruption occurred from the date residency was granted
Timeframe to Complete the Immigration Process (Time Warning)
he resolution clearly states that:
If you fail to complete documentation or renewal within three (3) months after your residency expires,
your residency automatically expires by law,
without the need for an additional cancellation procedure.
Pay attention and don’t let this time frame lapse.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions & Forfeiture Rules
If you applied for tax incentives under Law 9996, the resolution includes strict warnings:
Incentives apply only during the first five (5) years
Assets benefiting from exemptions must be held for at least ten (10) years
Early sale or renunciation triggers:
Payment of exempted taxes
Interest and penalties
Notification to the Ministry of Finance
Vehicle imports require EXONET release procedures
If your immigration status changes, Immigration will notify Hacienda automatically.
NOTE: These incentives expire in July of 2026 so if you are approved after this time frame you will not be able to apply for the incentives.
Official Documents: Download Links
To help investors and applicants fully understand the approval process, we are providing both versions of the resolution used in this analysis:
📄 Spanish Original (Official Version)
👉 [Download the Spanish Original Resolution]
Spanish – Immigration Resolution
📄 Literal English Translation
👉 [Download the literal English translation of the Immigration Resolution (PDF)]
Conclusion
Every Investor Residency case is governed by its own Immigration Resolution.
The format that we have reviewed will be the same for INVESTOR, RENTISTA or PENSIONADO residency. The only differences will be the qualification basis. For Investor it is the US$150,000 investment required for Rentista it is proof of US$2,500 investment income and for Pensionado is the lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 per month.
If you are investing, relocating, or renewing residency in Costa Rica, take the time to read and understand your resolution carefully — or have it reviewed by a qualified professional.
