Can You Work in Costa Rica?

1. Can You Work in Costa Rica? This is another one of those frequently asked questions among expats. And it’s one with good reason: answers on the Internet are all over the place!So, here’s the Cliff’s Notes answer: Probably not, at least not at first. http://www.costaricainsiders.com/can-you-work-in-costa-rica-5/

2. Working in Costa Rica: The Basics Costa Rica has pretty strict labor laws, which are designed to protect Costa Rican jobs and workers. With that priority in mind, Costa Rican law makes it difficult for newly arrived foreigners to work in Costa Rica. Why? Because the country wants to preserve jobs for Costa Ricans, which by and large represent a skilled, multilingual workforce capable of almost any job. That said, work permits are possible. If you work for a multinational corporation with a Costa Rican presence, your company may be able to secure you a work permit. Additionally, if you have skills in an area or job that no Costa Rican can fill, then you may be able to secure a work permit. Aside from those two exceptions, Costa Rican jobs are reserved for Costa Ricans and their families. Speaking of, the other exception to the Costa Ricans-only rule: legal residents through a Costa Rican spouse or children. Both temporary residents via marriage, as well as permanent residents via Costa Rican children (if your children are born here, they’re Costa Rican), are both granted residency libre de condición, which means you’re legally entitled to work. Note that pensionado, rentista, and other types of temporary legal residency do not grant you the right to work. After a temporary residency period of 3-5 years, you will be eligible to change your residency category to permanent, at which point you will be legally permitted to work. http://www.costaricainsiders.com/can-you-work-in-costa-rica-5/

3. Location Independence: Working Online from Costa Rica While you may not be able to work for a Costa Rican company, that doesn’t mean you can’t work in Costa Rica. If you own an online business, or telecommute to a position in your home country, you may continue to do so in Costa Rica. The only caveat: your income or paycheck must come from outside Costa Rica. Another Option: InversionistaResidency Inversionistais Spanish for “investor,” so inversionista residency is a type of investor residency. To qualify for inversionista residency, you must invest $200,000+ in non-commercial real estate or a Costa Rican business. Note that you are not allowed to work in your business; you are the owner (and income-collector), nothing more. This can be an excellent option for residents who’d like an income in Costa Rica: invest in a business, hire competent employees, and then collect on the profits. All the benefits, none of the work. Now you know the answer to whether you can you work in Costa Rica. If the answer is no for now, think of it as a mandatory few-year break. We’ll bet you find you love the no-work lifestyle. And if you don’t, you’ll be able to work after just a few years of residency! http://www.costaricainsiders.com/can-you-work-in-costa-rica-5/