www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm sure all of the daily AM Costa Rica readers have seen this story, but for those who have not....

http://www.amcostarica.com/

I'm sure it won't take long for them to come up with ways around the problem, but things are definitely getting more difficult.

I used to do it everytime up until about a year ago. My source was honest, told me he could give me a stamp but couldn't get it in the computer. They also didn't mention that it is people in immigration that do it a lot.

At that, it seems these 2 caught a break. Weren't they subject to being barred from re-entry for 10 years instead of just 5?

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

While 10 years is possible 5 is more common. It is also somewhat ambiguous as you can still be denied entry after the 5 year period prohibiting your entry has expired.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

On re-reading this pdf couple's story, I was struck by how long they'd been here as "permanent tourists". Now all my friends (both of them) will tell you I know zip about human motivation, and I don't want to appear harsh or unsympathetic but 4 years as a "tourist"? And in business? What am I not getting? What's the downside to residency besides a certain loss of anonymity? And, finally, is this phenomenon as common and wide-spread as this article implies?

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Perpetual tourism is very common. Many work illegally while others are retired. The most common occupations of those who work are in sports books, telephone call centers and selling real estate. Many also work using the internet which is questionably legal.

The reasons vary from unable to meet the financial requirements to qualify for residency to unable to produce a clean police record.

As is often said tongue in cheek, but with some accuracy, Costa Rica land of the wanted and the unwanted.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

If you're not retired with a pension or social security, it costs about $60,000 to get residency here. That's the downside. Most people don't have that kind of cash lying around that they can just put in a bank for 5 years.

I don't think you meant to say "costs". It doesn't cost you that much, that's much you must have on deposit in a Costa Rican bank to be eligible for residency.

Well, TheMadGerman had it about right that unless you had saleable assets in the U. S. that you sold (if you were non-house-owning, for example), not a lot of folks have $60K in loose cash, but as Orange alluded to, it is deposited in a bank here presumably in an interest-bearing account payable to the beneficial owners. It still puts you in an untenable position PARTICULARLY if you put your cojones in somebody else's hand by employing them. You're setting yourself up for physical or psychological blackmail, it seems to me. I truly hope nobody here is in that position.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I think, after you get residency, you can put that money elsewhere. I don't think they actively check your bank account and I don't think the bank is required to report your balance to the government.

I heard the above from someone years ago.

Actually, I don't think it is required to have the money in a CR bank. You just need to prove you have the money somewhere. Reason is: a lot of people don't want their $$$ in a developing country's bank and a lot of people want to invest their money in something other than a savings account.

I've also heard that retirees don't need the cash, however they need to prove that they have a monthly income of a certain $$$ amount (I forget what that amount is).

I've "heard" a lot. For those in the know, you are welcome to set me straight.

The last amount I know of that "pensionados" need to prove they get from a Govt. pension or some other reliable, uninterruptible source is $1000/month ($12000/year). If you don't have that much income per month, I'm hard-pressed to see how you can live anywhere, U. S. or elsewhere--in other words, it's not an high barrier or unreasonable for CR to expect. Please, please, I'm not being a snob here but the facts are the facts.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

To put this in the most simple terms the broad financial requirements are:

$60,000 USD deposit is required for Rentista residency. It can be in either a Costa Rica or U.S. financial institution. You are required to exchange $1000.00 per month for 60 months (the $60,000).

A lifetime pension or social security payment of at least $600.00 per month is required for pensionado residency. You must exchange a minimum of $600.00 to colones every month.

There are other requirements as well but those are the minimum financial requirements.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Jazzbo, not everone is old enough to be collecting social security or a pension. I'm in my 40's and it's going to be a long time before i can qualify for Pensionista. You can't just have $1000 monthly income, it has to be a guaranteed pension of some sort from a recognized source.

When I said "costs" I meant that you have to basically lock up that money for 5 years. You have to withdraw and exchange to colones a set amount every month, you have to keep your receipts to show the immigration people every year when you renew your temporary residency. After the 5 years, you get permanent residency.

I'm sure there are ways to get around the problem, but so few of us who've been taken to the cleaners either through divorce, or by bad luck in the economic crunches to lose our savings and/or homes can't just pony up $60,000 into a bank account for 5 years.

Pensionado requires guaranteed pension/social security payment of $600.00 per month. The $1000.00 per month exchange is for Rentistas.



There is no automatic change after 5 years, you must apply. The new (August 2006) migration law reduced the time to 3 years but also changed most residencies to permanent. For example, pensionado residency is considered permanent. After 3 years you can apply to have the conditions removed ie:, need to show an exchange of $7200.00 per year to colones, removal of prohibition to work, necessity to stay in the country 4 months a year. They can be removed but your status will not change to permanent resident you will remain a pensionado.



An arranged "marriage" is used by many in that scenario

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine