Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Foreign nationals must hold a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to legally work in Costa Rica. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued for six months only and is renewable for six additional months by the Immigration & Naturalization Services of Costa Rica.

Costa Rican lawful permanent residents, Costa Rican citizens, and/or Costa Rican Conditional Resident permit holders are automatically granted the privilege to work and live in Costa Rica.

Who May Apply for an EAD?

A foreign national may apply for an EAD if the person is:

    *     a foreign student seeking specific type of employment

    *     a foreign national seeking work experience in Costa Rica

    *     a foreign national seeking domestic servant employment

    *     a foreign national seeking political asylum

    *     a foreign national applying for Costa Rican Lawful Permanent Resident

    *     a foreign national applying for a Conditional Permanent Resident Permit

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Required Documents for Prospective Immigrants:

Foreign national seeking to immigrate to Costa Rica and applying for Lawful Costa Rican Permanent Residency, Conditional Costa Rican Permanent Residency Permit, and/or any type of immigrant visa will be required the following documents to file for an EAD:

   1.     Application form of the Immigration Department, authenticated by an attorney and presented to the General Direction of the Immigration Department

   2.     Fingerprints

   3.     Four recent passport sized photographs

   4.     Guarantee deposit

   5.     Certified letter from prospective or current employer stating terms and conditions of your contract, your salary, and your job description.

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Required Documents for Temporary Workers:

Foreign nationals (skilled workers, business executives, technicians, teachers, etc.) seeking temporary work experience or training in Costa Rica holding a non-immigrant visa will be required the following documents to file for an EAD:

   1.     EAD Application form of the Immigration Department, authenticated by an attorney and presented to the General Direction of the Immigration

   2.     A personal letter requesting the EAD authenticated by a notary public.

   3.     Six-month Labor Contract: stating the terms of the contract, job duties, salary, working hours and location where the job will be performed.

   4.     Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social Employer (CCSS) (Social Security) Certification: A certification stating that the employer is registered as a CCSS tax paying company.

   5.     Certified photocopy of the employer's tax ID

   6.     Authenticated photocopies of passport

   7.     Four recent passport-sized photographs

   8.     Guarantee deposit

Note:

The company who sponsors the foreign national must be accredited by the Immigration Department of Costa Rica.

Foreign national must leave the country upon his/her employment termination, and/or EAD expiration.

Foreign nationals who intend to work in state or international companies, an educational center with special contracts, or as domestic servants are encouraged to apply for a Conditional Costa Rican Resident Permit so that they do not have to renew the EAD every six months.

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