Costa Rica · Income requirement
Costa Rica residency income requirement for US citizens
Short answer
Remote workers can stay up to 2 years on $3,000 a month, but it isn't residence. Retirees with a $1,000 pension, or people with $2,500 a month of income, get temporary residence and can apply for permanent after 3 years.
Money needed, route by route
| Remote worker stay (digital nomad visa) | $3,000 a month of income, or $4,000 if your family comes too Leads to: Nothing directly: it isn't residence, but you can switch to another category before it ends |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence for retirees | A lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month Leads to: Permanent residence after 3 years in a row; you apply, it isn't automatic |
| Temporary residence for people of independent means | At least $2,500 a month of stable income, guaranteed for at least 2 years Leads to: Permanent residence after 3 years in a row; you apply, it isn't automatic |
Every route's full requirements → The full Costa Rica guide →
Questions people ask
How much income do I need for the remote worker stay (digital nomad visa) in Costa Rica?
$3,000 a month of income, or $4,000 if your family comes too
How much income do I need for the temporary residence for retirees in Costa Rica?
A lifetime pension of at least $1,000 a month
How much income do I need for the temporary residence for people of independent means in Costa Rica?
At least $2,500 a month of stable income, guaranteed for at least 2 years