Costa Rica

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Costa Rica is a comparatively LGBTQ+ friendly country located in Central America, with some legal protections for trans people. It's a popular touristic destination, and so it's also pricey. It's peaceful - no army! - but crime related to drug traffic is rising.

Why COUNTRY?

• Legal gender recognition: Costa Ricans can change their name to match their gender and sex identifiers have been removed from IDs, which is not the same as gender recognition. However, there should be no issue with accepting you with whatever gender is on your passport. ILGA lists Costa Rica as unclear.
• Anti-discrimination laws:
• Public healthcare: Every foreign resident in Costa Rica that has a legal residency status must pay into the Costa Rica Health Care System (CCSS, "caja") to maintain their residency status.
• LGBTQ+ rights and community:
• Immigration pathways: Temporary Residency as Refugee, Digital Nomad, Renter, Retiree, Student, Specialized worker or married to a Costa Rican.

Why not COUNTRY?

• Legal issues
• Housing issues
• Visa issues
• you name it

Political Situation for Trans People

2026 will be an election year, and LGBTQ+ rights are being threatened by populist parties. Recently, president Cháves eliminated the figure of LGTBI Commissioner, teared down a decree aimed to eradicate institutional discrimination of sexually diverse people, and eliminated an anti-bullying protocol for LGBTI students.

Due to Costa Rica's dependence on the US, it is likely it will fall in line with its politics, however, it's beholden to many international treaties.

Immigration Policy

A US citizen can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days without a visa. For longer stay a residence permit must be established. It's very common for foreigners to do a "border run" by traveling out of the country for 72 hours while waiting for residency approval.

• Tourist: You must provide:
  • A valid passport or travel document. Passports and travel documents will only be accepted if they can be read electronically in line with the guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and must be valid for the period set forth in these guidelines.
  • Proof of economic means, with a minimum of US$100.00 (one hundred US dollars) per month or partial month of legal stay in the country.
  • Return ticket to the country of origin or plan of onward travel that includes the next destination.
  • No impediment to entering Costa Rican territory.
  • Note that US nationals do not require a Visa.
• Refugee: Due to based fears of persecution for motives for race, religion, nationality, gender, belonging to a group or political opinions, for someone outside the country of nationality and that can't, or for those fears, don't want to rely on the protection of such country.
  • You need to get an appointment here, and have the appointment within 30 days of your entry.
  • It should give you a provisional document for 2 years until the refugee status resolves.
  • This provisional document also allows you to work.
• Digital nomad: You must show proof that you receive a monthly salary of at least $3000 USD, or $4000 USD if you're coming with someone who will depend on you financially. You can bring your children under 25 years old or older children if they are disabled.
  • Create an account here or visit an immigration office while you're legally in the country.
  • Pay $100 USD, bring your passport and bank statements.
  • You need to bring official translations to Spanish of any supporting documents: birth records, marriage licences, medical records for children over 25 with disabilities.
  • You'll need medical insurance for $50.000 USD.
• Temporary resident: Residency requires an report of good conduct stating you lack a criminal record. Allows you to work legally. If you're:
  • Married to a Costa Rican.
  • A religious official from a registered congregation.
  • An executive, manager, or technical employee with a salary - need a contract from a local company.
  • A specialized independent worker.
  • An investor ($200,000 USD in a local business or property)
  • A scientist or an intern.
  • An accredited athlete.
  • An international press correspondent.
• Renter:
  • You can prove you receive $2,500 USD per month of income in a permanent, stable and irrevocable manner for at least 2 years or at least $60,000 USD in a local bank.
• Retiree:
  • If you can demonstrate a lifetime pension source of income of at least $1,000 USD per month.
• Student:
  • Need to have been accepted in a local academic institution.
  • You can't work legally.

Medical Inadmissibility

Does the COUNTRY in question have immigration laws that would find people with disabilities or health challenges inadmissible to emigrate there?

Permanent Residency

You can apply to become a permanent resident if:

• You've been a temporary resident for 3 years.
• Are a next of kin with a Costa Rican (parents to a Costa Rican child, for example).
• Your refugee status has been confirmed.

Citizenship Pathway

You can opt to become a naturalized Costa Rican citizen once you've resided in the country legally for 7 years. You will need to learn basic Spanish and demonstrate knowledge of the country's culture.

US citizens need to renounce their nationality first in order to obtain dual citizenship with Costa Rica. You'll need to keep paying taxes to the US, but it's not recommended to lose that nationality.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

What are potentially good places to live in?

• City A
• City B
• …

Top Trans-Friendly Cities

• please add

Community & Support Resources

• What local communities and support structures are there?

National Organizations

• please add

Cost of Living

• The cost of living in COUNTRY is how comparable to the US/where in the US?
• Rent is…
• Public transport …
• Healthcare is free/expensive…
• Grocery prices …
• Education is

Housing Access & Cost

• add details on discrimination in rentals if applicable
• also how easy is it to rent/buy etc

Law Enforcement ("How bad are the cops?")

• please add details, especially around safety for trans people

Censorship & Digital Privacy

• please add details

Ease of Travel to Other Countries

• Panama
• Colombia

Animal Policies

• Is COUNTRY is pet-friendly or not
• What do you need to do to bring a pet?
• Consider adding a section on the Traveling with pets page