Tourist visas

Costa Rica allows tourists a 90 day visa, and this allows you time to get a short term rental, see if you like the country, and explore your options for immigration. Some people do the ‘border shuffle’, and leave and re-enter, gaining them another 90 days. However, this is against the spirit of the law, and may upset the authorities, so make sure you get proper legal advice on your options.

Working

In order to get a job in Costa Rica, you’ll need to get something more permanent than a tourist visa, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to become a resident. Some times of visa include:

• Pensionado – A retired person with a lifetime annuity or other guaranteed income. Many US citizens retire to Costa Rica on this scheme.
• Rentista – If you can show you’ll have a guaranteed income stream, or have a lump sum saved, this kind of visa will cover you for two years.
• Investors – If you have over $200,000 to invest
• Representante – Someone with a job which means they need to move to Costa Rica, or someone on a government assignment.

If you’re unsure of the kind of visa you might be eligible for, seek professional legal advice from someone who knows the immigration law in greater detail.

Buying a property

If you’re going for permanent residency, then finding somewhere to live is often high on your priority list. Costa Rica real estate offers good value for money, and there are plenty of options such as houses, condos, beach properties, gated communities, and much more. Some people try a short term stay, perhaps on a tourist visa to allow them to see what life is like in the area, and then commit to buying property. Whatever way you do it, make sure you work with a reputable agency who can ensure you’re protected throughout the process.

Opening a business

For many ambitious expatriates, the thought of opening a business in Costa Rica is extremely attractive, and they assume it will be laid back like the pace of life in much of the country. However, it can be hard work, and as with any job, you need to make sure you fill all legal requirements.

If you are entering the country because you have a large amount to invest, then you can put this into a business or property in exchange for that coveted visa. However, if you’re not quite as wealthy, there are still ways to invest, although you might not be able to work in the business as such. Many expatriates invest in tourism related services, with hotels, diving schools, restaurants and cafes, tour companies, and similar businesses being popular options. Whatever you decide to invest it, make sure you get sound financial advice before you begin, ideally from someone who has worked with Costa Rican businesses in the past.

Costa Rica isn’t just a great holiday destination. It can also be a great place to live, and many visitors decide to make it their home. Although it’s not the easiest country to immigrate to, there are lots of options available; you just need to seek advice on which one is right for you.

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Although you can never guarantee a completely smooth move from your existing home to your new one, there are some things to remember that can really help to make this period as stress free as possible.

Below we will look at some of the most common problems people have when they are moving home and how best to avoid them.

Four mistakes to avoid when moving homes

Packing

Good packing is an important part of any move. In fact, it is essential that all of your small possessions be packed into cardboard boxes as well as wrapping any fragile items in bubble wrap or packing paper. This means that when the house removalists arrive they can simply load the boxes onto the truck without any delays or last minute confusion. It is also good to remember when you are packing books to always use small boxes. If you fill a large one with books it will be too heavy and there is a risk that the bottom may fall out.

Labeling Your Boxes

After you have carefully packed all of your items into boxes you will need to label them. This means listing the contents of the boxes as well as clearly writing down the rooms in which they are destined for. This can save a lot of stress at your new home, as everything will be placed where it is going to stay, all you will then need to do is unpack and arrange.  What is also very helpful is to label each room door to correspond to the boxes; the movers will then know immediately which room is bedroom 1 or 2 thus speeding up the unloading process.

Large Items

If you have any particularly large or heavy items be sure to tell your moving company well in advance. This includes anything from pianos to large pieces of furniture that have been assembled in the home. This is quite a common oversight and the last thing you will need is an on the spot surprise dismantle or door and window frame removal. Most good removalists can overcome these problems but hours of valuable time can be easily lost. It is also wise to show your removal representative any narrow staircases or other tight areas in the home as these types of areas can at times be quite problematic for the movers.

Essentials

Be sure not to pack away your essentials on the morning of the move. This means just having a spare box where in the kitchen where you can quickly pack away your tea, coffee and other essentials. Be sure also to have a box for other essentials like your banking documents and any other things of high value. Most people generally take these high value items with them in the car just as a precaution.

Light Goods

Light goods like duvets, spare blankets, lampshades and other items that are very light in weight can be separated to save time. This means just putting them in to bin liners and labeling them as light goods. This is important as at the start of any move the movers will look for the lighter goods to pack into the overhead part of their truck. By having them close to hand and easily recognizable means that the movers can identify and load these goods without having to stop and ask for them.
By Petar Dzhingarov

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Measurements

Before relocating your office, it is advisable to take measurements of all the rooms in your new business location. You might be surprised to discover that your desk might not fit through the halls and doors of the premises of your new company. Making a layout of your new office space is another pivotal step into making sure that all your furniture and equipment are going to fit. Once you have established that you have the room for your items, double check to see if you need any extra items to suit the new space that you’re in.

Choose the right time

Prior to office moves, you might want to ensure that you don’t have any downtime preventing you from conducting your business operations as usual. Think about a time which is most convenient for you and if still cost-effective. For example, a weekend move might not always be possible with some removal companies, even though it’s likely to be the best choice for you. If you heavily rely on the Internet, make an appointment with your current internet provider to install a secure connection. You might also want to hire any other specialist to assist you with the fitting of your shelves, desks, or any other piece of furniture that you have in your possession.

Help for office moves

If you need a couple of extra hands to assist you with your big move, plan everything ahead. You will need to contact a moving company at least a few days in advance to arrange when they are going to come to offer you a helpful hand. Look for the firms with a strong reputation and experience at handling jobs like this (because there is a difference between those which are good at domestic moves, office moves and both).

Office Moves processing

On the day of the big office moves, it is advisable to have everything prepared, unless you know that your moving company is going to be of use when packing. Doing so will help you to avoid the stress resulting from waiting until the last minute with certain projects such as organising boxes or disassembling some of your furniture.

If you put in enough planning prior to the move, you can make things run smoothly and keep the downtime down to a minimum. Ensure that you have a checklist to hand to mark off your progression and, although you should ask for as many hands as possible to help, make sure that someone is taking the lead.

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1. Be prepared

Taking your time to make an efficient move is key. Make a moving checklist of everything you need: a removal company, the right removal vehicle, moving furniture, moving boxes, cleaning products etc. Write a step-by-step checklist where you can tick off tasks after completing them; this will leave you satisfied as you see the list decreasing as you complete more and more tasks. Organize and label removals boxes Hampstead according to what room they will go in. Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help, delegating tasks to keen helpers. Take advantage of services such as Ikea delivery rather than trying to do everything yourself.

2. Make time

Don’t try to do everything the night or two before the move. Start to prepare early, adding to your list a deadline for each particular task. List items that are used less and start to pack them first. Leave the essential and most used items until last. Accept that not everything will go as planned, but it is important to be patient and take it slow when things go wrong or change.

3. Make space

As you pack, make a pile of things that you no longer need. Give away clothes you never wear to a charity. De-clutter your life a little. This will leave you feeling fresh in your new place; taking endless time to find space for things you don’t even need, use or want Can be very frustrating.

4. Make change

Don’t forget that as well as physically moving your belongings, you will have to change your utilities and other mailing addresses too. Don’t leave this until the last minute, as there are always unforeseen challenges in the process. Tackle one job every few days in the weeks or even months leading up to your move. And indeed, shop around before you re-commit– perhaps your new area has better deals that will save you money on your bills in your new house.

5. Take care of yourself

The rush and fuss of moving can lead you to become tired and you may neglect yourself in the quest to get organized. Being healthy, feeling energized and refreshed with good sleeping patterns, taking time to relax and not worry about the impending changes will all help to make the transition smoother and will make the build up to leaving much more exciting.

6. Animal shelter

Are you moving with pets? Make a list of things to help them acclimatize – a distressed animal does not bode well for a stress-free move. In the old house, shut them in an already-cleared room with a litter tray and food on the day of the move to avoid them going missing. Ask your vet for tips on how to make the animal comfortable once in motion. In the new place, do the same and leave them in one empty room with food and a litter tray while they get used it it. Gradually let them explore the house later when they are less likely to get under your feet. When you let them outside for the first time, make sure it is just before meal time so they have an incentive to come back!

10. Hello, Goodbye
Take time to make the most of your old neighborhood before you leave. Have tea or coffee, at cafes and with neighbors and friends; take a walk in that park behind your house; recount happy memories in local places. And then, discover your new area – find a new café, take a walk through that local park, find a new favorite restaurant, and familiarize yourself with all the amenities in the area. Then, when the move comes, you will already know where to go for those last-minute items you forgot about such as cleaning products, or just where to go for a therapeutic swim when it all gets a bit much!

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