Investor residency: check the investment before you buy

A purchase and an immigration approval are separate

Fragomen’s investor-residency analysis describes qualifying investments from US$150,000 and explains why ownership structure matters. Buying a property does not automatically grant residence. The applicant still needs to qualify and document the investment.

For a direct real-estate application, ask whether title must be held personally. A property inside a corporation can raise a different set of requirements; do not let a standard closing structure determine your immigration options by accident.

What changed around July 2026?

A September 8, 2026 review by CRIE distinguishes the five-year window for Law 9996 incentives from residency eligibility. It reports that DGME still published US$150,000, while highlighting the need for confirmation for post-July applications. We have not independently resolved that administrative interpretation.

Do not assume the category disappeared, the threshold automatically rose, or new applicants automatically qualify for import exemptions. Obtain separate written answers from immigration and tax advisers for the exact filing date and benefit involved.

Questions to settle before a deposit

• Which investment category will you use, and what value will the authority recognize?
• Who will legally own the asset, and will that structure support your application?
• How will borrowed funds, joint ownership or staged payments be treated?
• Which registry, accountant or notarial records must support the investment?
• What must you maintain for renewal, and what happens if you sell?

Have an independent Costa Rican lawyer investigate title, liens, access, permits and any coastal concession issues. Immigration eligibility is only one part of a property purchase.

Leave room for an ordinary purchase budget

Budget for transfer and closing costs, maintenance, insurance and professional fees without assuming an unconfirmed tax exemption. Compare the full purchase with renting first. You should still want the asset if the immigration process takes longer than expected.