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I like to day-dream about re-locating to Costa Rica. The biggest obstacle is money. I don’t have much of a savings, and I’m far from retirement. I’d like to work for a US company on site in Costa Rica. I’m a seasoned designer, programmer, manager and software developer. Anyone know about this type of arrangement? I should also mention, I speak Spanish at an advanced conversational level.
There are many jobs available for someone with your skills BUT, you are American and not Costa Rican and you need to have the correct legal status to be able to work legally in Costa Rica and, you must remember that although the wages would be good for these jobs by Costa Rican standards – Costa Rica wages are NOT like US wages.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comHi! I’m new to this forum and I had a question related to iandawg’s post. If the immigration laws for some reason end up staying the same and I moved to Costa Rica this summer with $120,000 to put in a bank account for three years would I actually be able to find work after that as a resident? My husband can work anywhere as long as he has an Internet connection, but I really would like to be able to work again eventually. I also work in IT and that is the hardest thing for me to give up. We could live on my husband’s salary for a while, but that’s not really what I want to do forever.
By the way, this is the best site I have found so far regarding real information on Costa Rica. Thank you!I think Scott has already answered your question, mixuone.
Generally, foreigners may not compete with Costa Ricans for jobs. The exceptions are when a foreigner becomes a PERMANENT legal resident (not just a temporary “pensionado” or “rentista”), or when s/he obtains citizenship, or when that foreigner has skills that are needed but not available in the Costa Rican labor pool.
In that latter case, the aspiring worker must obtain a work permit before being able to work legally. Obtaining a work permit can be a very prolonged and arduous bureaucratic process and there’s no assurance of success.
IT skills are not in short supply in the Costa Rican labor pool which is why a number of IT firms have presences here.
What’s more, you must understand that Costa Rican wages, even in high-tech industries, are far below those you would expect to find in the northern hemisphere. That, too, helps to explain why international IT firms have located some of their operations here.
Thanks. I’m not concerned about the amount of wages, just if it would be legal. I’m certainly not expecting high wages, just a better life! I contacted Residency in Costa Rica last week to get their opinion on the proposed immigration law changes. They think the rentista income requirement will probably double but not go as high as the proposed $5000 per month. That will still be out of reach so my only hope is that they don’t get the vote in before the April deadline.
Thanks, I guess he did. I was just looking for clarification on the legal part of it. I know it’s not going to be easy, but at least it will be an option if I want to find work.
iandwg,
I am a temporary resident of Costa Rica that lives here and works for my US Company. A programmer can live here and work on programming projects and be paid in the US as a consultant or employee. You can have the best of both worlds. In addition, I need programming assistance. Keep in mind that I can get programming done by very competent folks here for $15-$50 per hour depending on the skill level required and difficulty of the project.
Thanks, Jerry
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