Adult children sponsored under pensionado

[quote=”sueandchris”]I recently attended a party where several long-time expats stated that it was possible to have children over the age of 21 sponsored for residency under their parent’s pensionado status.

Is this true??[/quote]

To the best of my knowledge, that’s not necessarily correct. Pensionado status is, at least initially, a form of temporary residency. After three years as a pensionado resident, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency. Once granted, you could then sponsor adult children. Only a citizen or permanent resident can sponsor first degree family members for residency.

PS (Added by author): I may be entirely wrong about this. It appears that the immigration law states that only citizens may sponsor residency. I’m a permanent resident through marriage to a Costa Rican but am not a citizen. My mother lives with us and is in process of obtaining her residency. I thought she qualified through my residency but perhaps she’s getting special treatment because she’s disabled (or perhaps she qualified through my wife but I don’t think so). Anyway, for special circumstances, a good immigration attorney is your best bet and is how we are proceeding.