01
Transparency
Fixed prices agreed before we start. You always know what the next step costs and why it exists.
The immigration practice of Simple Legal Consulting
Costa Rica immigration,and nothing else.
Plan B is the branch of Simple Legal Consulting that handles visas, residencies and naturalisation, and nothing else. Same firm, same standards: fixed prices, fast answers and everything written down before we start.
07
migration routes, each with its own page, its stay and its requirements
How we work
02
Honesty
If a case is not viable, we say so in the first call instead of selling a process that cannot succeed.
03
Respect
Your time, your budget and your family's plans set the pace. We answer fast and we do not disappear.
Where you are in the move
Your immigration route, chosen and filed.
Seven residency routes, the digital nomad visa and naturalisation. Every page is scoped, priced and tracked in writing.
- 01StayDigital nomad · Student · ExecutivesA temporary authorisation to live here while you decide, while you study, or while your company moves you.See the visas
- 02ResidencyInvestor · Rentista · Pensionado · FamilyLegal status with no end date, through investment, passive income, a lifetime pension or a Costa Rican family tie.See the residencies
- 03NaturalisationTwo years married · Seven as a residentCosta Rican nationality, filed before the TSE. The last step in the process, and the one with the longest queue.See naturalisation
Not sure where you fit? The comparator puts the seven categories side by side.
Not sure which route fits?
Twelve questions, about two minutes, and every route your answers support.
More than one category can apply to you, so the result can show several routes at once.
Simple Legal Consulting
Other legal services by Simple Legal Consulting.
Plan B handles immigration and nationality. Everything else is handled by the main practice, on its own pages.
How we prepare an immigration file.
Four steps, in this order, before anything is filed.
01Documents checked
Passport, apostilles, criminal record. We list what expires, and when.
02Route confirmed
The category is chosen on your income, family and timeline, not on speed.
03File assembled
Translations, powers and forms in one index, so nothing is requested twice.
04Filed and followed
Filed at the DGME or the TSE, with every requirement answered in writing.
Why Costa Rica
A stable country with a slow, specific paperwork.
Healthcare, education, banking and a legal system that works. The only unpredictable part is the immigration file, and that is the part we do every week.
The office
One office in Lindora, Santa Ana.
Immigration files are prepared and signed here. Come in person, or meet us on video if you are still abroad.
Futura Business & Plaza, Oficina #A105
Lindora, Santa Ana, San José
The Founder
A specialist, not a general practice.
Herman Duarte has spent more than twelve years on immigration and investment law in Costa Rica. He studied at Stockholm University and at the London School of Economics as a Chevening Scholar, has published two books and more than 200 articles, and is regularly invited to speak on the Digital Nomad Visa.
UK Embassy listing
Record
- Practice
- More than 15 years in immigration and investment law
- Education
- Master's degree, Stockholm University
- Education
- Master's degree, London School of Economics (Chevening Scholar)
- Publications
- Two books and more than 200 articles in the press
- Recognition
- Highlighted by the UK Embassy in Costa Rica (31 of 45,000 lawyers)
- Speaking
- Invited by the Costa Rica Bar Association on the Digital Nomad Visa
Reviews
Clients, in their own words.
5.0
Google reviews · 105· read them on Google
Verbatim Google reviews, in the languages our clients actually write in.
MK
Melissa Kemp
Google review
“Herman offers top-notch concierge legal services. We have had an excellent experience…”
KV
Karol Valencia
Google review
“La atención de Herman es excelente, le da seguimiento a cada paso del proceso, resuelve…”
SF
Sergei Fedorov
Google review
“Нам очень повезло работать с Herman Manuel Duarte Iraheta. Он помог двум нашим семьям…”
LW
Lisa W.
Google review
“非常感谢 Herman 和 Simple Legal Consulting 团队！我的哥斯达黎加居留申请已经顺利获得批准…”
- MK
Melissa Kemp
Google review
“Herman offers top-notch concierge legal services. We have had an excellent experience…”
- KV
Karol Valencia
Google review
“La atención de Herman es excelente, le da seguimiento a cada paso del proceso, resuelve…”
- SF
Sergei Fedorov
Google review
“Нам очень повезло работать с Herman Manuel Duarte Iraheta. Он помог двум нашим семьям…”
- LW
Lisa W.
Google review
“非常感谢 Herman 和 Simple Legal Consulting 团队！我的哥斯达黎加居留申请已经顺利获得批准…”
- 01
You write, we answer
A short message with your situation is enough. We reply with the route that makes sense and what it costs, before any meeting.
- 02
A 30 minute strategy call
We go through your case, the documents you already have and the realistic timeline. No obligation, no sales script.
- 03
Fixed price, written scope
You receive the scope and the price in writing. It does not move unless the case changes in a way we explain first.
- 04
We file and follow up
We handle the DGME and TSE, answer requirements and keep you informed until there is a resolution.
Guides
The questions we answer every week.
Short, practical notes on residency, investment and the paperwork nobody explains. If your case needs more than a note, that is what the call is for.
- Essential Documents You Need to Apply for Residency in Costa Rica
- What is the Difference Between Temporary and Permanent Residencia in Costa Rica?
- 7 Essential Steps to Achieving Investor Residency in Costa Rica
- The Ultimate Guide to Acquiring Rentista Residency in Costa Rica for Expats
- Comparison Between Pensionado and Rentista Residency in Costa Rica
- Exploring the Benefits of the Visa Nomada Digital Costa Rica
- From Application to Approval: Demystifying the Permanent Residency Process in Costa Rica
- 7 Key Benefits of Gaining Costa Rica Citizenship
Routes
Seven ways to live here legally.
Requirement, term and family coverage for each category, with its own page.
Digital Nomad Visa
Term: 12 months, extendable to 24.Condition: Remote income of USD 3,000 a month, or USD 4,000 for a couple. Spouse, children under 25 and parents can be included.Benefit: Living legally in Costa Rica with income tax and social security exempt.ReadInvestor Residency
Term: Two years, renewable. After three years you can apply for permanent residency.Condition: USD 200,000 invested in your own name. Spouse, children under 25 and parents aged 65 or over can be included.Benefit: Living legally in Costa Rica. The permanent residence document then renews every three, five and seven years.ReadRentist Residency
Term: Two years, renewable. After three years you can apply for permanent residency.Condition: Passive income of USD 2,500 a month or more. Spouse, children under 25 and parents aged 65 or over can be included.Benefit: Living legally in Costa Rica on passive income, with no local employment needed. The permanent residence document then renews every three, five and seven years.ReadRetired Residency (Pensionado)
Term: Two years, renewable. After three years you can apply for permanent residency.Condition: Lifetime pension of USD 1,000 a month or more, from Social Security or any other source, including a military pension. Spouse, children under 25 and parents aged 65 or over can be included.Benefit: Living legally in Costa Rica on your pension. The permanent residence document then renews every three, five and seven years.ReadMarriage or Family Residency
Term: One year by marriage, renewable. As the parent of a Costa Rican, permanent residency from the start with a three-year document.Condition: Spouse, child or parent of a Costa Rican citizen. Parents must be 65 or over.Benefit: Living legally in Costa Rica, with work authorised for spouses of Costa Ricans.ReadTop Executives, Managers and Specialised Workers
Term: Two years, renewable.Condition: Management or specialised role in a Costa Rican entity. Spouse, children under 25 and parents aged 65 or over can be included.Benefit: Living legally in Costa Rica while you work for the local entity.ReadNaturalisation or Nationalisation
Term: Permanent once granted.Condition: Two years married to a Costa Rican, or seven years as a legal resident.Benefit: Costa Rican nationality.Read- 08Book a call
Two categories can apply at once.
The call decides. 30 minutes, no obligation.
Watch
The firm, on film.
The short film and the conference on the Digital Nomad Visa at the Costa Rica Bar Association.
All videos30 minutes, no obligation
Tell us your case. We will tell you the route.
Pick a time that works in your timezone. You will receive the confirmation and the list of documents to bring.
The office
Simple Legal Consulting
Lindora, Santa Ana
- Address
- Futura Business & Plaza, Oficina #A105
Lindora, Santa Ana, San José
Costa Rica - Phone and hours
- +506 6182 6836Monday to Friday: 8:00 to 18:00