Legal Fees Cost for Pensianado Temp Residency

Is that all inclusive legal fees? One person?

@CR Jeanne

Yes... it sounds reasonable.  But ask questions first!

1. Will the service be taking your application and all other documents to the Migration office in CR FOR YOU??   They should.
2. Will the service be taking care of getting all of the documents that you provide them with TRANSLATED into Spanish for you??  They should.
3. Will your service do Follow-UP once you receive your final Resolucion (approval ) ??   This should include assisting you in setting up an appointment or at least, a 'chaperone' to go with you to the CCSS office (Nat'l Healthcare Office or 'Caja') to sign up and Join the Caja (mandatory for your Residency to be finalized, and must be done before you can get an official CR 'cedula' or ID card);  I suggest doing this because MAYBE the chaperone can find out if you can OPT-OUT of paying into a worthless CR Pension plan ($100/month... added to your Caja Fees)... you won't need it because you are already getting a pension from your Home country (have your awards letter with you.. translated!!) AND THEN, once you have your Caja membership documents in hand... perhaps, assisting you in getting an appointment at BCR (banco de Costa Rica... you should be able to do this on-line; the bank has a section just for getting cedulas)) or Correos de Costa Rica., to get your new ID card?   They should.  Easier to do that all in one place at BCR.. Correos can't receive any payment from you... so using them would require going to the bank to make a deposit first, and then taking the deposit slip to Correos to get the ID.   stupid.
4. So ask questions.  Ask them about 'timing''...  how long do they think it will take to get your initial 'Expediente' letter from Migracion (it is a letter that says your Application has been accepted for Processing Only).. that letter is important because you need to keep a copy (make more than one) of it with your passport and it allows you to STAY in costa rica even if your passport visa 'stamp' expires.  After you have that Expediente document... you may wait another 9-12 months to get the final Resolucion letter that says you have been approved for Residency.  So it is important to have that first document with you when banking, renting a car, etc.
5. Does the price include mailing fees???   Are you mailing things to them from the states?   Are they mailing things to you from here??   
6. Another timing question...  The CR Dept. of Migration does not like 'old' documents... so make sure your service isn't getting an FBI criminal background check from you now... but not turning in your application until 10 months from now.. etc.   

Finally...   be your own advocate.  Don't be afraid to ask us questions.  And push your 'service' to be your advocate on this end.  Things change and you want to stay on top of it all.  If and when you have to 'do' things here... find out from your service if you can go to a Caja office, etc., Near where you live instead of going to San Jose if you don't live there.  Many times, gov't offices in smaller places have nicer people and shorter lines/waits/etc.

Welcome to CR... nice to have you on board.

@CR Jeanne

I too, am interested in getting my Pensionado Residency and am searching for an attorney. I have a local friend who is searching. I have seen on ACRC.Net that they charge $1100 for the primary applicant, and add this: “Prices include attorney fees, but not always translations from English to Spanish (which must be done by an official Costa Rican translator), and processing. There is an extra charge for translations from other languages to Spanish. If you have documents translated in the country of origin, the only official translator accepted by the Costa Rican government is the Costa Rican consul for that country. Obtain detailed instructions on how to handle documents required from your country of origin, as well as what you must do in Costa Rica.”

I brought my ex from CR, and did all of the paperwork myself without an attorney. I would prefer to have guidance this time around, if nothing more than to not have any surprises along the way. I’m confident I can do any legwork necessary from here, but want to avoid extra trips down to CR if I can avoid it. I’m going to follow this post to see what others have to say. Good luck!

@rainagain

Thanks for great advice. I would love if you could eleborate on your comment:

"I suggest doing this because MAYBE the chaperone can find out if you can OPT-OUT of paying into a worthless CR Pension plan ($100/month... added to your Caja Fees)... you won't need it because you are already getting a pension from your Home country (have your awards letter with you.. translated!!)".

Under what circumstances a person can opt-out of paying into CR Pension? We are both retirees and my wife has a teacher pension plus will have social security that she plans to start collecting in 2026.

If you wish you can answer this question on main forum. My email is markzele@yahoo.com. Thanks. Mark Zele

Sorry my replay was to @CR Jeanne. Mark Zele

Thank you so much for the detailed and informative response. I have established that they'll include all you suggested with the exception of the Caja office visit. I know the quote included my Dimex card, and that I have to sign up with Caja within 90 days of approval, but I'll ask them to include the Caja chaperone, and I'll find out about getting waived for the pension-part of the Caja and keep everyone informed. They also included help getting my CR driver's license, so that's a bonus! Lol

Thanks again,

Jeanne

@markzele

OK... so, many people write on this and other Internet exchanges about their Caja costs.  There is no 'real' formula for figuring out how Caja costs are calculated.  You will be at the mercy of whomever serves you when you go there to apply.  For most Pensionista and Rentista residency individuals, the Caja costs are based on the income that you declared on your residency application (example:  you have a SS Benefits letter stating that you will receive 2,500/monthly for life) ... and thus, your base Caja fee can be anywhere from 10-15% of that monthly amount. 

But currently, ALL NEW Foreign Applicants to Caja, regardless of Residency Type, are having, additionally, an approx. $100/month fee added to their Caja costs to cover a 'Costa Rican Pension' plan; regardless of the clear FACT that you are already receiving a Pension from your country of origin.  You'll have pay that fee for a minimum of 10 years... or longer, depending on your age (younger expats will pay longer... until they reach CR retirement age).  It used to be, that you could OPT-OUT of paying that fee if you showed proof of present or even, Future, guaranteed monthly pensions from abroad.  Lately, on this forum, people have written that they've gone to Caja office, with attorney or other 'help', and they were refused the Opt-Out.  I'm not always sure that they showed up with proof, etc  but they were told ... no.  And... others write in and say they were able to opt out of paying into the CR pension...   It's all over the place and nobody really knows. 

Here's my conspiracy theory approach:

Ticos think and KNOW that gringos have $$.  Whether they are right or not, a Caja employee is going to be frowned upon by their superiors, for letting Foreigners opt-out of that Pension payment.  . It isn't a 'thing' that is listed nor offered anywhere... it was always a word of mouth thing and only good Residency services informed their clients about that eventual issue.  Many many Ticos don't pay into it and the Gov't wants and needs expats to help build that fund.  There are many many people in CR who collect from it and yet only paid in for a few years, if at all.  Single moms with kids from multiple 'men' are everywhere here and somebody has to pay their way.  The men either disappear, or are dead or in prison; or just don't work enough to provide childcare assistance.  Unemployment is a big issue as well... as many people live where there just is no work, especially in rural areas where there is virtually no 'paid' work for women outside the home.  And many can't work outside the home due to illiteracy.  So you get the picture.

Suggestions... ???    Go to a Caja office with somebody, local, who speaks Spanish; with whom you've described the situation and they can assist in notifying the agent at Caja that you already receive a pension; and show proof. (your SS rewards letter, translated into Spanish).  It may work.  I did it, but that was 5-1/2 years ago. 

Good President at the time... forward thinking and new the value of new-commers that weren't fleeing a Dictatorship (boy... have the tables turned!!!)   The rural people hated him because he was smart, educated, and well dressed.   

Sound familiar???

But now... New communist-ish, Socialist President, new attitude.  He hates Gringos.   

Also... try a Caja office in a smaller city or town.  I went to San Ramon... (capital of my canton but far from my home) it was early a.m.  and, only 5 people in the Q.  I had a nice older gentleman with me who was from there, but had lived in Arkansas for 10 years, so he could communicate with me.  He charged me $100.   He helped me to fill out the application which had a 'space' where you could list your monthly COL costs.. that may have kept my costs somewhat low.  If you don't read Spanish, you won't even know it is there ... and nobody at Caja is going to sit and spend time with you to fill that part out... and don't expect them to speak English.

So... there you have it.  some are being successful at opting out .., but many are not.  Like I said... it seems to be that nobody is getting the option any longer.  But, a new gov't could look at things differently.  They would understand that those costs could steer people towards another country; or that the $$ would be better staying in the hands of the gringos so that it goes directly into the economy.  Who knows??    Sometimes it is your service... if he or she is considered a pain in the ass by the Caja or migration people; or if they are pushy.  All it takes is a bad breakfast and your agent will make you pay through the nose for Caja.   These migration lawyers and Residency services are Businesses!! right?!?!?  They are not going to tell you what's behind the red door if they think it will make you balk. 

I guess I got lucky... my service did everything, and even informed me of the opt-out issue and fixed me up with my 'chaperone' to the caja office;... all the way to the very end.   And I did it all from here, in CR.  they had a person in the States that took everything to the Consulate for me and took care of the apostille and translation stuff; mailing; etc.  I would recommend a Residency Service that only does residency'... and not a Lawyer who says they can do it... but it busy with other things.   A residency service specializes in doing just that... Residency.

Everybody's situation is going to be different depending on age, guaranteed income, living status, etc.

KNOW this... always smile and be nice no matter how frustrating things get.  Don't ask if there is a problem, or what the problem is... that is the same as an accusation in these parts... if there is an issue, let them bring it up.  Instead of being the nasty American, ask if you can provide more info or if perhaps, you did something incorrectly..   Try to use Spanish, and if your Spanish is crap, apologize for that. They will appreciate the effort. Believe me.  Don't immediately ask if they speak English (anywhere!!!  why would they??)  Many times, the person you are dealing with doesn't really like their job (most foreigners here are coming from Nic. and Ven. and are desperate) and they tend to give knee-jerk responses and don't like to go the extra mile.  I am always patient, and I KNOW of times when somebody 'helped' me because I was polite, and I offered to help even if they didn't seem to be asking for it.  I would hold up a pile of documents and they would just wave... No.  Put the documents away, smile, and just wait.   Eventually, they will throw you a bone; or more.  It's work being a non-Spanish speaking older person living in a foreign land... but isn't that part of the adventure???    Really, if you want nothing but sun shine, golf, or pickle ball, automatic mail delivery 6 days a week...and 5 o'clock specials... there's a place called Arizona with your name on it.

@CR Jeanne

Hi Jeanne.  sounds like you found a good service!!   

One piece of advice... once you get your residency 'Resolution' letter (full approval of residency)... don't wait to do anything... make a plan to go immediately (within a day or two) to the Caja offices (no appt. needed.. first come first served) and if, say, you know you are going on a Tuesday, set up an appointment at BCR to do the Dimex/ID card thing... (you can set up that appointment on line) for a day or two later.   I actually did that first... and once I knew my appointment date.. I made sure I went to Caja a few days before that.  Again, Caja is first-come, first-serve; but BCR requires an appointment.  The Dimex/cedula office is generally inside or next to the actual banking lobby.

When at the Caja office... everything is done some-day.. while you are there... and they make you pay for your first month before you leave.. and, you'll leave with documentation from them that you are officially in the Caja.  Ask while you are there, WHEN you are expected to pay your monthly fee.  Generally it is during the first 10 days of each month... but you'll want to know that.  You can pay it on your On-Line Banking site with most banks here.  You'll need that document.. along with ALL other documents (Resoluction letter, passport, etc.) to go and apply for the Dimex/ID card.  That generally gets mailed to your nearest Correos office (know which one is nearest or most convenient to you) where you will pick it up in a few weeks.

Best of luck.   And Bienvenudos!!!

@rainagain

so lets do some hypothetical math:

1. Retired couple in 60-ties applying for pensionado visa. One of them has a pension lets say $3,000/mo or $36,000/year.
2. Based on the forum responses they would have to pay 10-15% to Caja plus additional $100/per month

So, assuming the 10% the total would be: 10% of $3,000 = 300 + 100 = 400/mo x 12mo = $4,800/year of compulsory expense (!!!).

Question: is that per person? Or per couple?

It has to be something wrong in my math. Could you comment?

(And we haven't even mentioned private health insurance!)

@markzele

  Hi Mark.

I can't answer the per person versus per couple question.   I hope somebody else will help you with that.  That should be a single sentence question for a Residency Service to answer... and perhaps they already include the answer to that question in the Pension section of their websites.   

As for your math.. $400 / month doesn't sound wrong.. even though we both HOPE it is.  Some are getting opt-outs on the $100 CR Pension fees... others are not.  Nobody knows if that is something that CAJA 'should' be offering/allowing, or not.  I would love to make friends with a Caja employee and pick their brain on that.  It used to be that your Caja fee for a Pensioner was based on the CR minimum of $1000 USD/month... regardless of how much 'higher' your SS benefits would be.  There is no way of knowing without actually speaking with a Caja person about that regarding today's pricing.

I will give you my caja costs... but, know that I joined in 2019.

As a Rentista, i had to declare a $2500/month guaranteed income with a letter from a bank where I had a minimum of $60K.. to cover the first 2 years of temp. residency.  My base rate was around 7-8% at the time which was the same for Pensionistas... it is now.. 10-15% ???   Not a surprise; med. costs rise like expat tempers on this forum. LOL 

So my rate was around $219/month.  (remember this... the dollar has been on a roller coaster here.. from as low as 498 colones to the single $1, to as high as 689 just since I've lived here) I was able, as previously written, to Opt-Out of paying into a CR pension fund because I already had a pension fund (SS) and I showed them my forecasted Benefits Letter from SS.. translated into Spanish (something that I had done just in case... call me paranoid)  The rate increases a tiny bit each year... like a dollar or two... which we consider nothing... but Ticos will scream about 75 cents.  There are expats that came here long ago and are still paying in the $100+ range because that was their initial fee and it has only risen very little.   If they write about their low costs... consider when they came; and then, ignore it.

I don't know what else to say... ??

Question... is your spouse's SS benefit less than yours??  or is that $3k theirs already.  Use whoever's is lowest.

Don't hate me, but if you end up with $2,600/month for one of you... and whatever extra income comes from your spouse's retirement...  You should be able to live just fine here.  But I don't have all of your info.   I own a house and don't pay rent...thus, I live off $1000 - 1200 monthly, with extra for emergencies; travel; peace of mind.  But I bought a Tico type house, and live in a Tico village; and there is no Gringo Pricing here except for when somebody tries to scam me into paying them $10 an hour when I already know that the 'going rate' is $3.. and I would pay $5 anyway just because I'm not a jerk.  Most people around me have no car, so I don't either.  Public transit is great and there are Taxi and other alternatives when the bus doesn't work for me.  I grow a lot to eat.. and my neighbors and myself share overages and 'gift' each other when we feel like it. I have the only 'cas' tree in town and I literally give away 95% of it.. which in turn, yields many goodies for me.

Basically, I live like my Tico neighbors do and that saves me the money headaches that people write about on here.  But that is just me.  I am definitely living at around 50% less than my north American Big city life.  Not paying heat, not paying more than $225/year for property taxes (1500 sq. meter lot with concrete house) and no car and very little elec. usage (if you live over 3500 feet above sea level... you won't need AC either) makes it very reasonable to live here.. I live like my Tico neighbors do and they seem to be quite happy (they don't know anything else).

Private insurance???. just get a bunch of quotes.   But Residency requires Caja membership.. so you'll have to leave every 180 days without residency. Perhaps you plan to visit 'home' or take vacations outside of CR anyway??  Leaving 2x per year doesn't sound unrealistic... until you are really old.

Finally, even if you have to pay for it.. consult a Residency service with your Math  ...  they may poo poo that they don't know Caja politics, but the must have a better, general, IDEA... than what I know.

I hope others whose situations are more like your own will write to you on this forum and answer some of your questions.

Lots to consider.  Keep working on it.

I wonder in what Tico town are you living. But that's the way to go - to immerse yourself in local life. We are going to CR in 4 days. Best.

@markzele

I live in the big valley that is between the Arenal Volcano and mountains that run south of it (literally behind my house) and the extinct volcano across the valley (due east of the village of La Tigra) that is home to the busy small city of Quesada. 

There are expats scattered all over the area... from the mountains and hills around Quesada... to the plethora of towns littering the valley that is full of rivers and streams flowing north; up to the town of La Fortuna and the Arenal Lake and Volcano.  Many live in the foothills of the mountains where land is cheap and cooler climate, plenty of small towns with amenities, and close to both La Fortuna and Quesada.  We aren't congregated...  but more in La Fortuna area if you want to bump into one.  I tend to see expats from all over Europe and north America when I'm in Quesada; at the bank, bus station, clinics, hardware stores, and especially, Walmart.   Never thought I'd shop at a Walmart... but it's really good here.  Excellent liquor and beer selection; bakery, and great staff.

I'll try to do an anti-rain dance for you.. it is really really wet here this November... wettest Nov. on record for my village... not a single dry day yet.  It has literally been raining for almost 65 hours.  Wettest Oct. too... and Sept only had 4 dry days... get the picture???   But you may like the rain... seeing 'some' will give you a real sense of living in CR.

Safe and Fun travels to you.

Well, at least no cataclysm. Here in Florida .... you know. And look what happened in Valencia. We are heading to CR tomorrow. Best.

@CR Jeanne

My great lawyer R*** charged $500 in 2023 for her fee. The government fees were seperate.

*** Speaks good english is a really kind person. She spends quite a bit of time in the US and despises gringo pricing. Best of luck

@Davelipkind

Wow... put her on retainer!!   Great find.  Thanks for sharing... somebody will be thanking you for sure.