Employee/ Personnel Relocation to Costa Rica

Employee relocation to Costa Rica is subject to the same visa requirements as when hiring foreign workers by local companies. Below, we explain the main types of visas associated with intra-company transfers. You can rely on us for support related to personnel relocation to Costa Rica.

Can I relocate employees for my company in Costa Rica from anywhere in the world?

Yes, there are no restrictions on the nationality of the employees.

What are the ways through which I can relocate personnel to Costa Rica?

There are 3 ways to do that:

• registered-company procedure;
• standard procedure;
• temporary/ specific occupation process.

IMPORTANT: The most common route for personnel relocation to Costa Rica is the first one, the registered-company procedure. The other two are associated with the foreign employee hiring process.

What are the available visas for personnel relocation to Costa Rica?

The special category of immigration covers the following types of work permits, also available for intra-company transfers to Costa Rica:

1. work authorization for professionals and technical visitors to Costa Rica;
2. work permit for expatriate employees;
3. work authorization for employees providing maintenance and post-sale management services;
4. work visa for professionals;
5. work permit for professionals working as domestic employees;
6. work authorization for certain positions within a corporation;
7. work permit for independent contractors in the fields of: agriculture, construction, and services;
8. work authorization for independent contractors working for a reputable employer;
9. temporary work visas;
10. cross-border work visas.

What are the conditions to meet to relocate personnel to Costa Rica through my company?

The company must meet the following conditions:

• must first register with the Immigration Department in Costa Rica;
• there must be an employment relationship between the Costa Rican company and the foreign enterprise from where the employee(s) are relocated.

NOTE: Registration with the Immigration Authority is necessary to be able to submit the temporary residence permit application, as in this case, it is a task that falls onto the employer.

Are there any conditions to meet by the employees to be relocated to Costa Rica?

Yes, they must hold one of the following positions:

• executive;
• manager;
• professional;
• technician;
• specialist in a certain field.

What does the personnel relocation procedure in Costa Rica entail?

The procedure for employee relocation to Costa Rica must be commenced by the hiring company. It must prove that a Costa Rican could not have filled the position to be occupied by a foreign worker.

Before coming to Costa Rica, the foreign worker must obtain a provisional entry visa if he or she comes from a country that requires this step.

When evaluating the application, the Immigration Department takes into account the rules established by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

What documents must my company submit for employee relocation to Costa Rica?

• employment contract;
• company’s identification details;
• documents proving the skills/ specialized role of the employee;
• declaration related to the employee’s function and experience;
• business permit (if the operational sector requires).

What documents must the foreign employee prepare when relocating to Costa Rica?

• valid passport (visa too, if applicable);
• birth certificate;
• clean criminal record;
• degrees, certifications, other documents proving the experience/ skills;

NOTE: Foreign documents must be submitted in Spanish, which means they must be translated and apostilled.

How long does it take to obtain a visa for employee relocation to Costa Rica?

The average processing time for a work permit in Costa Rica is 3 to 8 months; however, it may take longer.

Are there any other steps to complete after I relocate an employee to Costa Rica?

Yes. You need to enter him/ her in the company’s payroll and enrol him/ her for Social Security.

We can also help you if you need to relocate your employees to Dubai or another region/ country.

If you are interested in employee relocation to Costa Rica, contact our local agents for assistance.