Costa Rica Inversionista
A temporarily reduced $150,000 investment threshold for Costa Rican residency, across real estate, business, or approved projects — but the discount has a real expiry date.
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The five-year window for the Law 9996 investor benefits closed on 14 July 2026. As of early October 2026 we found no confirmed extension, and secondary sources report the threshold reverting to about US$200,000. Confirm the current rule with Costa Rican counsel before relying on it. See all changes and deadlines →
Costa Rica Investor Residency Overview
Costa Rica's residency framework operates under the Law of Migration and Foreigners (Law 8764), administered by the General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Nationals (DGME). The Inversionista (Investor) category grants residency to investors who place qualifying capital in Costa Rica, at a threshold temporarily cut from $200,000 to $150,000 under Law No. 9996.
This reduced threshold operates under a sunset provision: it applies only until 14 July 2026, after which the minimum is expected to revert to $200,000 unless Costa Rica's National Assembly enacts renewal legislation.
Benefits of Costa Rica Investor Residency
- A currently reduced $150,000 investment threshold, versus the standard $200,000 — but time-limited under Law 9996's sunset clause
- Multiple qualifying investment types: real estate, a registered business, company shares, or an approved project
- A defined path from temporary residency (2 years) to permanent residency (3 years) to citizenship (7 years)
- A lower $100,000 threshold applies specifically to qualifying forestry projects
Requirements
The main applicant places qualifying capital into one of several accepted investment types, held personally rather than through a company for real estate:
1. Standard Investment (Real Estate, Business, Shares, or Approved Project)
A minimum of $150,000, into real estate (held in the applicant's personal name, not through a company), a registered business, company shares, or an approved project. This reduced threshold is in effect until 14 July 2026 under Law No. 9996.
2. Forestry Project Investment
A lower threshold of $100,000 applies specifically to qualifying forestry projects.
Procedure
The applicant completes the qualifying investment and submits an Inversionista application to the DGME under Law 8764. Once approved, temporary residency is granted for 2 years, with permanent residency available after 3 years and citizenship after 7.
Fees & Costs
Beyond the $150,000 investment itself, applicants pay DGME processing fees per applicant and dependant, plus separate legal and investment due-diligence advisory fees. Indohill discloses the full statutory and legal fee breakdown for this programme, and every other programme we track, in the Global Matrix Marketplace fee breakdown tool before you commit to a specific investment.
The Reduced Threshold Expires 14 July 2026
The $150,000 threshold is a temporary reduction under Law No. 9996's sunset clause. Unless Costa Rica's National Assembly enacts renewal legislation before 14 July 2026, the minimum investment reverts to $200,000. Indohill treats this deadline as real and binding for any client considering this route, exactly as it does for Panama's comparable Decree 193 sunset.
Background & Legal Considerations
Costa Rica's residency framework is governed by the Law of Migration and Foreigners (Law 8764), administered by the DGME. The reduced $150,000 Inversionista threshold was introduced under Law No. 9996, applying under that law's sunset provisions until 14 July 2026.
Program history
The dated milestones we have verified for this program, drawn from its legal basis and our Program Watch tracker. It is a record of what has changed, not a complete legislative history. Last reviewed 5 October 2026.
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14 JULY 2021 New
Reduced threshold introduced
Law No. 9996 introduces the reduced US$150,000 Inversionista threshold, with benefits available for five years from the law's entry into force.
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14 JULY 2026 Deadline
Investor residence: sunset clause date
Law 9996 carried a sunset clause scheduled for 14 July 2026. The date has passed. As of early October 2026 we found no confirmed extension, and secondary sources report the threshold reverting to about US$200,000; confirm with Costa Rican counsel before relying on the route.
Why Indohill Advises This Program
- A private, advisor-reviewed intake — every application is scoped by a person, with the Law 9996 expiry date confirmed and factored into client timelines
- Coordination with pre-vetted Costa Rican real estate, business, and immigration advisors, reviewed against Indohill's Certified Partner Network standards before any introduction is made
- Full statutory and legal fee disclosure through the Global Matrix Marketplace before you commit to a specific investment
- The same 5-phase advisory methodology Indohill applies across every program, from initial audit through lifelong governance and renewal support
Costa Rica Investor Residency FAQ
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