Immigration checklist
Immigration checklist
Please note that the following checklist is by no means complete or binding! It does not replace detailed planning but simply offers you an overview of the most important points that need to be taken into account.
Immigration – in 4 to 6 months
If you plan to live in Costa Rica, find out in advance whether you meet the necessary requirements and which form of residence permit (Residencia) is suitable for you and obtain the necessary documents in your home country. Attention: Some documents are valid for less than 4 – 6 months!
Contact transport companies and compare their services and prices. Corresponding offers should also be available from Costa Rica, because only local customs agents and shipping companies really know the subject.
Leave the loading of a container to the professionals, because only you know how to avoid transport damage and what legal liability regulations apply.
Renew your passport for everyone emigrating to Costa Rica.
You need this in Costa Rica for many institutions (bank, insurance, driving license, lawyer, etc.) and in the first few months to renew your tourist visa (every three months), because it takes a while to get the residence permit.
Find contacts with people who already live in Costa Rica. However, rely on your common sense and exercise appropriate caution.
Prepare for the Costa Rican culture so that you don't become one of the 40% immigrants who leave after just one year because they can't get over the culture shock. Please never forget that Costa Rica is not one of the western industrialized countries!
Learn the Spanish language as best you can in your home country.
Think about the area, climate and social environment in which you would like to settle.
If you have children, find out beforehand which school system is most suitable, how much the costs are and in which area these schools are located.
Clarify which items you definitely want to import and have import taxes and import taxes calculated.
Book your flight in good time and always expect that you will not arrive in Costa Rica on the desired date (hurricane season, strikes, etc.).
Immigration – in 2 to 4 months
Make a list of the people you want to contact before you emigrate, both for business and pleasure.
If you don't have any credit cards or knowledge of internet banking, do so now.
Now it is time to work out the detailed planning for the emigration, determine specific locations, study maps, consult special literature, make contacts, determine the social environment, clarify leisure activities, personal needs, etc.
The documents required for immigration must now be available
Carry out a health check and any vaccinations (e.g. tetanus)
Clarify insurance questions (policies: life, health, accident insurance, etc.)
Address changes and deregistrations for business and private purposes (employer, bank, authorities, etc.)
Detailed clarifications with transport companies and customs agents. Determine the location of the container
Hotel booking (note high season December to April)
Immigration in 1 to 2 months
Scheduling (also plan for unforeseen events)
Selling unneeded household goods. Develop a detailed packing list.
Clarify inheritances, wills and possible deaths with your lawyers in your home country and Costa Rica
Vaccinations and documents for pets coming with you
Obtain remaining documents that are only valid for 3 months: e.g. police clearance certificate, birth certificate, possibly bank balance confirmation
ATTENTION: all documents must be translated into Spanish and officially certified
Immigration – in 1 month
Determine an emergency address in your home country, grant bank powers of attorney and possibly other powers of attorney
Renew driver's license
Cancellation of telephone, electricity, water, cable television, magazines, insurance, etc.
Pay any tax debts
Deregistration at your place of residence
Make copies of all personal documents and bank references
Final detailed planning
Take photographs of important moving items (car, valuables)
A few days before departure
Packaging and numbering of the moving goods according to the packing list.
Send important documents to your lawyer in Costa Rica via DHL.
Store all important documents separately or take them with you on the flight, as well as notebooks and data storage devices. Leave important copies with relatives or friends.
Flight confirmation
Loading the container and checking goods.
Apartment handover and cleaning.
The big day
¡Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Pura vida!
See also:
https://www.migracion.go.cr/
Entry/Exit and Customs Regulations
Links/Partners
Immigration checklist
Please note that the following checklist is by no means complete or binding! It does not replace detailed planning but simply offers you an overview of the most important points that need to be taken into account.
Immigration – in 4 to 6 months
If you plan to live in Costa Rica, find out in advance whether you meet the necessary requirements and which form of residence permit (Residencia) is suitable for you and obtain the necessary documents in your home country. Attention: Some documents are valid for less than 4 – 6 months!
Contact transport companies and compare their services and prices. Corresponding offers should also be available from Costa Rica, because only local customs agents and shipping companies really know the subject.
Leave the loading of a container to the professionals, because only you know how to avoid transport damage and what legal liability regulations apply.
Renew your passport for everyone emigrating to Costa Rica.
You need this in Costa Rica for many institutions (bank, insurance, driving license, lawyer, etc.) and in the first few months to renew your tourist visa (every three months), because it takes a while to get the residence permit.
Find contacts with people who already live in Costa Rica. However, rely on your common sense and exercise appropriate caution.
Prepare for the Costa Rican culture so that you don't become one of the 40% immigrants who leave after just one year because they can't get over the culture shock. Please never forget that Costa Rica is not one of the western industrialized countries!
Learn the Spanish language as best you can in your home country.
Think about the area, climate and social environment in which you would like to settle.
If you have children, find out beforehand which school system is most suitable, how much the costs are and in which area these schools are located.
Clarify which items you definitely want to import and have import taxes and import taxes calculated.
Book your flight in good time and always expect that you will not arrive in Costa Rica on the desired date (hurricane season, strikes, etc.).
Immigration – in 2 to 4 months
Make a list of the people you want to contact before you emigrate, both for business and pleasure.
If you don't have any credit cards or knowledge of internet banking, do so now.
Now it is time to work out the detailed planning for the emigration, determine specific locations, study maps, consult special literature, make contacts, determine the social environment, clarify leisure activities, personal needs, etc.
The documents required for immigration must now be available
Carry out a health check and any vaccinations (e.g. tetanus)
Clarify insurance questions (policies: life, health, accident insurance, etc.)
Address changes and deregistrations for business and private purposes (employer, bank, authorities, etc.)
Detailed clarifications with transport companies and customs agents. Determine the location of the container
Hotel booking (note high season December to April)
Immigration in 1 to 2 months
Scheduling (also plan for unforeseen events)
Selling unneeded household goods. Develop a detailed packing list.
Clarify inheritances, wills and possible deaths with your lawyers in your home country and Costa Rica
Vaccinations and documents for pets coming with you
Obtain remaining documents that are only valid for 3 months: e.g. police clearance certificate, birth certificate, possibly bank balance confirmation
ATTENTION: all documents must be translated into Spanish and officially certified
Immigration – in 1 month
Determine an emergency address in your home country, grant bank powers of attorney and possibly other powers of attorney
Renew driver's license
Cancellation of telephone, electricity, water, cable television, magazines, insurance, etc.
Pay any tax debts
Deregistration at your place of residence
Make copies of all personal documents and bank references
Final detailed planning
Take photographs of important moving items (car, valuables)
A few days before departure
Packaging and numbering of the moving goods according to the packing list.
Send important documents to your lawyer in Costa Rica via DHL.
Store all important documents separately or take them with you on the flight, as well as notebooks and data storage devices. Leave important copies with relatives or friends.
Flight confirmation
Loading the container and checking goods.
Apartment handover and cleaning.
The big day
¡Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Pura vida!
See also:
https://www.migracion.go.cr/
Entry/Exit and Customs Regulations
Links/Partners
