Requirements to Work in Costa Rica if You Are a Nonresident

By Victor Krumm

Costa Rica Immigration is a popular fantasy , not only for many individuals who live in the neighboring countries but also, for people from many other countries. Costa Rica is often seen as a tropical paradise.

Christopher Columbus discovered this land in 1503 and gave it the name we still call it, and though it was once described as "the most miserable" Spanish colony in the Americas, it has developed into one of the popular tourist and retirement places in the Americas. Easily reached from the U.S., it's a stable democracy built around sustainable development.

And, every year, untold thousands of visitors wonder if they could work in the country if they moved to it.

For foreigners, the ability to legally work in Costa Rica is dependent upon whether they can get a work permit. There are a number of steps involved before getting it and the best course would be to retain an experienced a lawyer.

The authorizations can be obtained from the Costa Rica consulate or embassy in each country. So as to be eligible for the permit, people must provide valid evidence of their current residence, such as: passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses and also police reports. The next step involves sending a letter of request to the Director of Costa Rica Immigrations explaining why the permit is being sought. It needs to be signed by the requesting party and notarised.

The letter must also be translated into Spanish and all of the papers will be notarized by the counsel. Using an attorney can be very important, to avoid mistakes when completing the forms.

The bureaucracy in this Latin America country, particularly in the Immigrations Department , is the stuff of legendary nightmares and very frustrating.

Paperwork mistakes can often pass unnoticed but a lawyer can either catch them or, when caught by Immigration, correct them.

These days, many global companies, like Hewletter Packard and Intel , have large presence in Costa Rica and often are looking for employees with particular skill sets.

If a person can land a job with one of those corporations, getting the permit may be easier because they'll likely provide experienced lawyers.

Finally, there are certain jobs for English speaking people that the little country encourages with more easily obtained permits and perhaps even legal residence; i.e., English teachers, some medical related jobs like EMTs, and other skilled positions.

About the Author:

Whether ecotourism, nightlife, medical tourism, or merely time off in a tropical paradise, Costa Rica vacations have something to offer everybody.And, if living and working in this pretty country appeals to you, learn what it takes to incorporate a Costa Rica business.