www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I read that you basically cannot work in CR without at least permanent residency. If I was able to get my current US employer to employ me in CR could I work in CR or would I still have to get residency before I could work for my current employer?

Technically your employer would have to get a work permit for you. Your question is unclear as to whether your employer has an ongoing operation in CR. I am going to assume he does not and you are referring to a position where you could do your work online. In this case you could work without establishing residency or obtaining a work permit as long as the government was unaware of your activity. You would have to leave the country every 90 days to reestablish your tourist status.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney or an expert in Costa Rica labor/immigration law and the above is only opinion. Seek competent legal advice before going much further.

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

You will NEVER get permanent residency unless you have a Ch*ld who is born in Costa Rica, marry a Costa Rican or a person who has permanent residency as the parent of a Costa Rican Ch*ld.

An employer can ONLY get you temporary residency which will last 18 months once you receive the residency. You can also live and work legally if your application for temporary residency is in process.

Even if your Ch*ld is born in Costa Rica you only receive temporary residency and a work permit until you have spent 5 years in CR. I just found this one out today while getting a passport for my 5 month old daughter.

Not true. I have permanent residency and meet done of the criteria you site.

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

I stand correct, ID, you are correct. I believe most other options are tied to property ownership.

The other reality is that if the rules don’t work for you today, wait a few months or so and the Legislativa will “reform” the immigration laws. Maybe under one of the reforms things will be better for your situation.

The major change in the new immigration law, that should pass on second reading next week, has no major changes that impact expats other then raising the monthly required income.

The law will take effect 6 months after it is published in La Gaceta so figure on February/ March of 2010 for it to take effect.

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