Immigration checklist

This checklist is by no means a substitute for detailed planning and is merely an overview of some important points to consider.

Immigration in 4 to 6 months

If you are planning to live in Costa Rica, clarify in advance whether you have the necessary requirements or which form of Residenica seems suitable for you and obtain the necessary documents in your home country  .
Please note: Some documents are valid for less than 4 – 6 months.

1. Contact forwarding companies and compare their services and prices. Appropriate offers should also be available from Costa Rica, as only local customs agents and forwarding companies are really familiar with the subject matter.
2. Leave the loading of a container to the professionals, because only they know how to avoid transport damage and what legal regulations apply.
3. Renew your passport for all persons emigrating to Costa Rica. (You will need this in Costa Rica for many institutions such as bank, insurance, driver’s license, lawyer, etc.).
4. Look for contacts with people who already live in Costa Rica. However, rely on your common sense and exercise appropriate caution.
5. Prepare yourself for the Costa Rican culture so that you are not one of those immigrants who leave after a short time because they cannot overcome the culture shock.
6. Learn Spanish as best you can in your home country.
7. Think about the area, climate zone and social environment in which you would like to settle.
8. If you have children, find out in advance which school system is most suitable, what the costs are and in which area these schools are located.
9. Clarify which items you absolutely want to import and have import taxes and duties calculated.
10. Book your flight in good time and always expect that you will not arrive in Costa Rica on the desired date.

Immigration in 2 to 4 months

1. Make a list of the people you want to contact before you emigrate, both for business and pleasure.
2. If you don’t have any credit cards or Internet banking skills, get them now.
3. Now it’s time to work out the detailed planning for the emigration, determine the specific location, study maps, consult specialist literature, make contacts, determine the social environment, clarify leisure activities, personal needs, etc.
4. Documents required for immigration must now be available.
5. Carry out a health check and any vaccinations.
6. Clarify insurance issues (policies: life, health, accident insurance, etc.).
7. Change of address and deregistration for business and private purposes (employer, bank, authorities, etc.).
8. Detailed clarifications with transport company and customs agent. Determine the location of the container.
9. Hotel booking (note high season December to April).

Immigration in 1 to 2 months

1. Time planning (also plan for the unforeseen).
2. Sale of unneeded household goods. Draw up a detailed packing list.
3. Clarify inheritances, wills and possible death with your lawyers in your home country and Costa Rica.
4. Vaccinations and documents for pets.
5. Obtain a police clearance certificate.

Immigration in 1 month

1. Set an emergency address in your home country, make payment transfers and issue any powers of attorney.
2. Renew your driver’s license.
3. Cancellation of telephone, electricity, water, cable TV, magazines, insurance, etc.
4. Settle any tax debts
5. Deregistration at your place of residence.
6. Make copies of all personal documents and bank references.

Final detailed planning

1. Take photographs of important removal items (car, valuables).
2. A few days before departure
3. Packing and numbering of the removal goods according to the packing list.
4. Send important documents by DHL to your lawyer in Costa Rica.
5. Keep all important documents separately or take them with you by air, as well as notebooks or data carriers. Leave important copies with relatives or friends.
6. Flight confirmation.
7. Loading the container and checking the goods.
8. Apartment handover and cleaning.

The big day – “Bienvenidos in your new home Costa Rica”

1. First of all, you will need a Costa Rican driving license, as you will only receive a tourist visa for the time being, your driving license will automatically expire after 90 days (new digital driving licenses can be applied for at the Ministerio de Transporte y Obras Públicas (MOPT)).
2. Check whether the container ship with your container has left and have the arrival in Limón confirmed by your customs agent in Costa Rica.
3. Have the container brought directly to one of the bonded warehouses in the Central Valley and make sure that it is unsealed in front of your  eyes and unloaded with the assistance of your customs agent and that any damage is reported to the insurance company (if taken out). Make sure that all your household effects are in the same place in the bonded warehouse.
4. With the help of your customs agent, take the necessary steps so that you can import the goods (goods declaration, import taxes, etc.).
5. Organize a forwarding company (with appropriate liability insurance) and accompany the transport to your front door.
6. Open a bank account and a P.O. Box address.
7. Take the necessary steps to obtain a residence permit.