Costa Rica Immigration Experts
Retire in Costa Rica with a US$1,000 a month pension.
Or qualify with US$2,500 a month in steady income, or by buying your own home for US$150,000. CRIE guides you through every step.
Costa Rica residency, by the numbers
Moving to Costa Rica costs less than you think.
All amounts in US dollars
Find your path
Which residency option fits your life?
Your income, family connections, and plans help determine the right starting point. Explore the options below, or ask us to help you compare.
Pensionado
Have a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 a month? You can apply to retire in Costa Rica, including with a qualifying disability pension.Explore Pensionado residency →
Rentista
For applicants with stable income of at least US$2,500 a month for two years.Explore Rentista residency →
Investor
Buy a home in Costa Rica for US$150,000 or more and you could qualify for Investor residency. Other investments can qualify too.Explore investor residency →
Family residency
Understand the pathways through a qualifying Costa Rican spouse, parent, or child.Spouse residency →Parents of Costa Rican children →Children of Costa Rican citizens →
Renewals & support
Already a resident? Get help with renewals, status questions, and your next steps.Get renewal guidance →
Documents & preparation
Get your document requirements, apostilles, and translations organized before filing.Explore document services →
A clear process
From your first question to your next step.
Tell us your plans
Share your goals, income, family situation, and timing so we can help identify a suitable path.
Build a clear checklist
Understand which documents you need, how to prepare them, and which timing issues to watch.
Proceed with support
Receive guidance on filing, follow-ups, and the steps that come after approval.
People you can talk to
The person behind CRIE.
Johanna started out working alongside a Costa Rican immigration lawyer in the early 2000s — and one of the first files she handled was Glenn Tellier’s own residency application. The lawyer asked her to join his practice, and she spent years guiding applicants through it.
When he retired, Johanna and Glenn founded CRIE in 2008. She has led it ever since. If you become a CRIE client, she is the person setting the strategy on your file — which category fits you, what your documents need to look like, and in what order.
Start with the essentials
Helpful guides, before you make the move.
Residency requirements
Get familiar with the documents and preparation involved.View the requirements →
Common questions
Find answers to the questions prospective residents ask most often.Browse the FAQs →
Life in Costa Rica
Explore practical reading for your move and life as a resident.Explore our guides →
Let’s talk about your plans.
You do not need to have everything figured out. Tell us where you are in the process, and we will help you find a starting point.
Ask about your residency options
Tell us a little about your situation and we will come back to you. Prefer to talk now? WhatsApp +506 8706 3888, call +1 305 906 6784 (USA) or +1 416 900 5773 (Canada), or email info@crie.cr.
Informational only and not legal advice.