www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello,
I'm wondering if I could get some advice on establishing residency in Costa Rica. Is this something that a person with decent Spanish speaking skills can manage or would a lawyer be recommended?

If you do think a lawyer is necessary could someone recommend one that will get the job done and not rob me?

If a lawyer isn't necessary, can you give advice on how to proceed?

I realize I might be asking for a lot of information so if you can help I'd just like to say thanks in advance. I appreciate your time.

I am not Canadian, nor a CR resident, but I hear good things about this Canadian association's legal work on behalf of its members gaining residency, maybe a little high $, all relative. Even if you're not a Canadian, I doubt they would not let you join. Worth a try to join, their site and BB are full of great info. http://www.arcr.net/

There's a start anyway. CR attorney's don't enjoy the best of reputations, maybe unfair to most of them, but I am sure guys will add names of lawyers in CR that were straight and did a good job for a reasonable fee.

DBCooper; you should be well funded.

Do you still jump?

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

For any residency application, you must have a lawyer, no way around it. In the case of a pension residency, you must file the application at a consulate in the U.S. and have a CR lawyer as a point of contact. The process is much too complicated to explain here but there are several very good sources on the internet especially ARCR. Best advice, find a law firm the specializes in immigration issues or use ARCR.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

First, checked and the law has indeed changed since I did residency 4 years ago. You can file yourself in Costa Rica but they will charge you an additional $200 for a change of status fee. (http://www.costaricalaw.com/legalnet/residency.html). Under the old law, you had to file in the U.S. and had to have a Costa Rican lawyer as a contact for any residency status outside permanent.

Second, he was asking about pensionado which is a whole different game than permanent residency with several other requirements. Also, to assume someone moving here asking about pensionado status would speak fluent Spanish isn't realistic.

Third, having done most of the legwork on my own residency, it is NOT an easy process. You will still need 'official' translation of your documents and you will still need a lawyer to notarize some documents. I still believe hiring an immigration lawyer is the way to go as they will handle all this for you as well as the filings with immigration and a few other minor details.



Would agree with the above, anyone you hire should be able to help obtain some of the documents from the States for you. Many documents are available over the internet and these companies will help you through that process then they usually have someone in the States that can receive the documents in the mail and do the authentication process through both the US channels and the Costa Rican consulates. Here is another good link: http://www.costaricaninsider.com/costa- ... dence.html

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Thanks, I really appreciate the information. I do have one other question if someone would be willing to help. Does Costa Rica tax foreign income if you establish residency? I know the U.S.A. has more than a few treaties with other countries. Some specifics on Costa Rica would be great. Are there any pitfalls to be aware of? I'm fairly up to speed on U.S. tax law but I'd hate to get myself into a situation where I could face being taxed in two different countries.

Currently CR does not tax foreign income. However, that is no guarantee that it will not in the future. A tax proposal by the administration last year was reported to include provisions for taxing some foreign income. That proposed law was never enacted but it shows there exists the possibility things may change at some point in time.

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

Whew, Greengo, I see you are back to form. I was worried about you after your last post. It did not tax my feeble brain like this one.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Nice word play.

Greengo: I have a serious question for you.
Do you talk like you write?

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.