Understanding Your Residency Approval
Congratulations on your successful residency application in Costa Rica! Once you have received your official approval resolution from the Department of Immigration, it’s essential to understand the steps that follow. This phase is crucial in ensuring that you can enjoy your new status without any hitches.
Register with the Costa Rica Social Security Administration
Foreign residents in Costa Rica are required to enroll with the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS), commonly known as the Social Security Administration or “Caja,” as per the Immigration Act. This process involves registering as voluntary contributors. To complete the registration, applicants must visit the nearest CCSS office, undergo an interview with a representative, and submit the required documentation. Coverage under the CCSS can also extend to dependents, such as a spouse and minor children, without any additional charges.
Requirements for CCSS Registration:
- Copy of each family member’s passport.
- Copy of each family member’s residency resolution from the General Directorate of Immigration.
- Income certification from a certified public accountant (CPA).
- Certification of the company owning the investment (if applicable).
- Certification of real estate title (for property investments).
- A copy of an existing utility bill (electricity or water).
- Interview conducted by a CCSS officer.
Since residents under the pensioner or investor category are prohibited from engaging in employment or paid activities within Costa Rica, the CCSS assumes they do not earn local income. Consequently, the CCSS will determine a base income for the insurance based on the income declared in the residency application, with contributions calculated as a percentage of this amount. Each registration is evaluated individually.
Get an Appointment to process your DIMEX card
Once you have been registered with the CCSS then you can set up your appointment to obtain your official DIMEX residency card.
Appointment with Immigration: Schedule an appointment with the General Directorate of Immigration to process your DIMEX card. You can do this either online through their website or in person. Some regional immigration offices may also be able to assist with this process.
Pay the Corresponding Fees: Before your appointment, you must pay the applicable fees, including the residency issuance fee and a DIMEX card processing fee. These can typically be paid at any Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) or authorized bank.
Gather Required Documents: Ensure you have all the necessary documents for the appointment. These generally include:
- A copy of your residency approval letter.
- Proof of payment of fees.
- Your passport and a copy of the bio-data page.
- proof of registration with the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS).
Attend Your Appointment: Attend your scheduled appointment at the immigration office. During this appointment, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be taken for the DIMEX card.
Card Issuance: After completing the biometric process, you will be informed of the timeline for collecting your DIMEX card. The processing time can vary, but you will generally receive your card within a few weeks.
Collect Your DIMEX Card: Once the DIMEX card is ready, return to the immigration office to collect it. Make sure to bring your identification and any receipt or appointment slip they may have provided.