Permanent Residency

As the parent of a Costa Rican child. The tie is the child's nationality, and the file has to prove the relationship and the role the parent plays in the child's life.

As a temporary resident after three years. The three years are counted on the temporary category you already hold.

Permanent residency is a separate application filed before the DGME. Three years as a temporary resident do not convert by themselves: you must request the change, and the office reviews it as a new file.

That means a new application, new documents and a new resolution. Planning it before the temporary card expires avoids gaps in status.

Fingerprints, taken as part of the application.

A criminal record certificate, apostilled or legalised and translated where needed.

A clean record during the whole period as a temporary resident: no arrests, no criminal record, nothing pending.

When the route is a Costa Rican child and the applicant is the father, a sworn declaration that he takes care of the child.

We confirm which of the two routes applies to you, order the criminal record and fingerprint steps, and check the file before it is filed.

If your temporary residency is close to expiring, we map the calendar first so the change is filed with time.