CanadaCostaRica.com · Printable Relocation Planner (October 2026 Edition)

The Canada-to-Costa Rica Moving Checklist

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Stage 1: Canadian Groundwork & Provincial Rules

☐ Confirm provincial health absence threshold (OHIP 212 days / MSP 6–7 mos / RAMQ <183 days / AHCIP 183–212 days).
☐ Review CRA tax residency ties (Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1) and Departure Tax / Form T1135 rules with a Canadian cross-border CPA.
☐ Check passport expiry dates (minimum 6+ months validity beyond planned stay).

Stage 2: Legal & Apostille Preparation

☐ Consult a Colegio-registered Costa Rican immigration attorney on Pensionado ($1,000/mo), Rentista ($2,500/mo), Inversionista ($150k), or Digital Nomad ($3k–$4k/mo).
☐ Order RCMP fingerprint criminal record check and long-form birth/marriage certificates ONLY when ready to apostille and file within 6 months.
☐ Obtain Hague Apostille via Global Affairs Canada or designated provincial authority.

Stage 3: 10-to-14-Day Scouting Trip

☐ Compare northern Guanacaste (Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Hermosa), central Guanacaste (Potrero, Flamingo, Tamarindo), and the Central Valley (Escazú, Santa Ana).
☐ Price a 20-item weekly grocery basket at Auto Mercado and Maxi Palí; test fiber internet speeds and nighttime noise.
☐ Visit Hospital CIMA Guanacaste (Liberia) / CIMA San José and tour candidate bilingual/international schools.

Stage 4: Housing Due Diligence (Renting or Buying)

☐ Renting: Verify Law 7527 lease terms, early-termination notice clause, A/C electric meter setup, and backup water tank capacity.
☐ Buying: Retain an independent Notary Public (verify at abogados.or.cr & dnn.go.cr), run Registro Nacional Finca Filial title check, review HOA financials, and use a SUGEF-registered escrow account.

Stage 5: Pre-Departure Logistics

☐ Purchase emergency travel or international health insurance covering private hospitals in Costa Rica.
☐ Translate prescriptions to generic active ingredients; gather apostilled school transcripts & immunization records.
☐ Complete CFIA veterinary export endorsement for pets within required SENASA window.

Stage 6: Arrival & Settling In

☐ Verify passport entry stamp duration at LIR/SJO border control; carry passport when driving on a Canadian licence.
☐ Set up local SIM/fiber internet, install whole-appliance surge protectors, and complete DGME / CCSS Caja / DIMEX milestones.

Published by CanadaCostaRica.com (Joshua ten Brink) · Informational checklist only; verify legal and tax rules with licensed professionals.