Make Costa Rica home.
Residency, immigration and family law for U.S. citizens, from a family of Costa Rican attorneys. We guide you through every legal step of your move, in English.
A family tradition in Costa Rican law
Larios Law Group comes from a family line of attorneys. The Larios name has been part of Costa Rican law for generations, beginning with a criminal defense attorney, and today our firm carries that tradition forward in San José.
We are a team of three Costa Rican attorneys focused on immigration, family and labor law. One of our attorneys has spent 40 years helping U.S. citizens with immigration and family matters in Costa Rica.
Every step explained in English: which category fits you, which documents you need, and what to expect along the way.
Your path to residency
Most residency cases follow the same five stages. We handle the legal work at each one and tell you what is needed from you in the United States.
Choose your category
We review your income, family and plans to find the residency category that fits.
Gather U.S. documents
Birth certificate, FBI background check and proof of income or investment.
Apostille and translate
Each document is apostilled in the U.S. and translated into Spanish by an official translator.
File with Immigration
We prepare and file your application with the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
Approval and DIMEX
After approval you register with the national health system (CCSS) and receive your residency card.
Ways to live in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers several ways to live here legally. These are the ones our clients from the United States use most.
Retirees
For people who receive a lifetime pension, such as Social Security or a retirement plan.
Stable income
For people with a guaranteed monthly income or a qualifying deposit in a Costa Rican bank.
Investors
For people who invest in property, a business or other qualifying assets in Costa Rica.
Family ties
For spouses, parents and children of Costa Rican citizens.
Remote workers
A stay for people who work remotely for employers or clients outside Costa Rica.
Renewals and permanent residency
Renewing your status and moving to permanent residency once you qualify.
Income amounts, deposits and document requirements are set by Costa Rican law and change over time. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your consultation.
Watch and learn
Short videos about living in Costa Rica and the legal steps to get there.
Beyond residency
Moving to a new country brings more than residency. We also handle the matters that usually come with it.
- Family law
- Divorce, custody, child support and parenting agreements, including when one parent lives in the United States.
- Labor law
- Employment contracts, workplace matters and labor claims in Costa Rica.
- Property
- Title and survey review before you buy, purchase agreements and leases.
- Notary services
- Deeds, powers of attorney, certifications and documents for use in Costa Rica or abroad.
How a consultation works
Your first meeting with our team is where we review your situation and lay out your options.
Book and pay
Choose a day and time and pay when you book. The fee is shown before you confirm.
Send your documents
If you already have documents related to your case, send them before the meeting.
Meet with us
By video call from the United States, or at our office in San José.
Get your plan
We explain your options, what each process involves and the fees for your case.
Consultations are paid, so we can give your case the time it needs.
Before you move
Answers to what people from the United States ask us most.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. Our team works with you in English, and official documents are translated into Spanish as part of the process.
Can I do everything from the United States?
Much of the preparation, including the consultation and gathering documents, can be done from the U.S. Some steps, such as fingerprinting and receiving your residency card, are completed in Costa Rica.
How long does residency take?
Processing times are set by Costa Rica's immigration authority and vary by category and workload. We give you a realistic estimate for your case in your consultation.
Which documents will I need?
Usually a birth certificate, an FBI background check and proof of income or investment, apostilled and translated. The exact list depends on your category, and we review it with you.
What are your office hours?
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Costa Rica time. Our attorneys work from San José, so we use Costa Rica time. You can leave us a message on this site at any hour.
How much does a consultation cost?
The fee is shown when you book, before you pay. Book online or send us a message and we will reply with the details.
Let's talk about your move
Tell us briefly about your situation and a person from our team will reply with next steps.
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Costa Rica time.