Your first 90 days in Costa Rica: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Caja enrolment is not optional: no CCSS affiliation, no DIMEX — and unpaid contributions block the renewal; the monthly quota is assessed on the income declared for residency.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Post-approval documentation: enrol in the CCSS (Caja), pay fees, then biometrics for the DIMEX card
Commonly within 3 months of the approval resolution (the notice sets the term)
CCSS affiliation is a prerequisite for the card; biometrics run at BCR or Correos by appointment, and the physical DIMEX arrives weeks later.
Get your DIMEX number (doubles as the tax ID with Hacienda); NITE for those without one
Banking, utilities, the digital signature and tax registration all run on the DIMEX number.
The DIMEX itself is the identifier once residency is approved; Hacienda issues a NITE to foreigners who lack a DIMEX.
Open a bank account
Full accounts need the DIMEX; simplified low-limit accounts (BCR, Banco Nacional) open on a passport. US persons sign FATCA forms everywhere; Wise is the common bridge while residency processes.
Enrol in healthcare
CCSS (the Caja) enrolment is mandatory for residents — a monthly contribution scaled to declared income buys full public coverage. Many residents pair it with private care at CIMA or Clínica Bíblica.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign license works for the length of the legal entry stay (up to 180 days); residents homologate at COSEVI with the DIMEX, the valid license and a medical exam (dictamen) — no driving test.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Costa Rica: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Costa Rica?
Post-approval documentation: enrol in the CCSS (Caja), pay fees, then biometrics for the DIMEX card — Commonly within 3 months of the approval resolution (the notice sets the term). CCSS affiliation is a prerequisite for the card; biometrics run at BCR or Correos by appointment, and the physical DIMEX arrives weeks later. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the DIMEX number and do I need one?
DIMEX number (doubles as the tax ID with Hacienda); NITE for those without one is Costa Rica's personal tax/ID number. Banking, utilities, the digital signature and tax registration all run on the DIMEX number. The DIMEX itself is the identifier once residency is approved; Hacienda issues a NITE to foreigners who lack a DIMEX.
Can I drive in Costa Rica on a US license?
A foreign license works for the length of the legal entry stay (up to 180 days); residents homologate at COSEVI with the DIMEX, the valid license and a medical exam (dictamen) — no driving test. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Costa Rica?
CCSS (the Caja) enrolment is mandatory for residents — a monthly contribution scaled to declared income buys full public coverage. Many residents pair it with private care at CIMA or Clínica Bíblica. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Costa Rica's system treats foreign residents.