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In the lush landscape of Costa Rica—where expatriates, investors, and entrepreneurs come seeking opportunity—Grupo GAP has become one of the country’s most trusted institutions. Since the early 2000s, the company has bridged the financing and accessibility gap for foreigners through its integrated family of brands: CRIE (Costa Rica Immigration Experts), GAP Real Estate, GAP Investments, and GAP Equity Loans. Together, these divisions form a complete ecosystem that helps newcomers secure residency, invest in real estate, access private lending, and build a life in Costa Rica.

The Origins of Grupo Gap: Filling a Critical Market Need

Grupo GAP was built on a simple understanding: expatriates face unique challenges when entering Costa Rica’s financial and property markets. Traditional banks often restrict lending to non-residents, making it difficult for foreigners to invest, develop, or purchase property. Grupo GAP’s team recognized these obstacles early and developed a holistic model that provides clear pathways to financing, residency, and opportunity.

The Origins of Grupo GAP: Solving a Market Problem No One Else Addressed

The company’s foundation is rooted in decades of combined expertise across finance, development, immigration, and private lending. Early work in the 2000s focused on helping foreigners access financing options unavailable through local banks, breaking the cycle that had prevented many expatriates from building assets or launching projects in Costa Rica.

A major part of Grupo GAP’s growth came through its collaboration with seasoned immigration experts, which led to the formation of CRIE (Costa Rica Immigration Experts)—a dedicated division focused on helping clients secure residency and legal status, unlocking long-term financial opportunity in the country.

As demand expanded, the organization naturally evolved into a full-service ecosystem. GAP Real Estate provided property guidance, GAP Investments introduced structured private lending opportunities, and GAP Equity Loans became a trusted channel for real estate–backed loans. Over time, Relocate CR was added to support clients needing comprehensive relocation assistance.

A Team Built on Experience, Strategy, and Long-Term Industry Presence

For many years, Grupo GAP has been strengthened by a core team of professionals, each bringing specialized expertise that contributes to the company’s long-term success.

Glenn Tellier – Finance & Market Strategy
With decades of experience in financing, consumer markets, and international investment, Glenn provides the financial vision and strategic direction behind Grupo GAP’s lending and immigration model. His background includes securing hundreds of millions in financing in North America and identifying early the structural barriers expatriates face in Costa Rica. Glenn’s practical understanding of borrower needs, investor expectations, and market gaps has shaped the company’s service offerings from the beginning.

Lawsen Tellier – Operations, Real Estate, & Investor Relations
Lawsen contributes a modern, results-driven approach to operations, lending processes, and real estate development oversight. His work focuses on optimizing internal systems, improving client experience, strengthening investor relations, and ensuring each division operates cohesively within the Grupo GAP ecosystem. His hands-on approach and understanding of both borrower and investor needs make him a key driver of day-to-day execution and long-term planning.

Steven James Stewart – Strategic Advisor, Development & Capital Structuring
With more than 35 years of international experience in real estate development, capital structuring, and infrastructure finance, Steven plays a key role in shaping GAP’s high-value projects. A permanent resident of Costa Rica since 2004, he has overseen numerous residential, commercial, and hospitality developments. His background includes managing complex capital stacks, advising on Limited Partnerships, and collaborating with top-tier Costa Rican firms such as Edificar, Constructora Meco, and Arquitectos y Diseños. Steven ensures that every GAP-backed project is properly structured, financially sound, and aligned with investor goals.

Robert N. J. Stewart – Senior Consultant
A Chartered Financial Planner with nearly six decades of experience and more than 100 industry awards, Robert brings deep expertise in tax-efficient structures and large-scale financing. After relocating to Costa Rica in 2004, he expanded his international investment portfolio and served as Chairman of a $2.3-billion development initiative. Today, he focuses on designing tax-efficient project frameworks and connecting developers with reputable financial institutions. Robert is known for his strategic clarity, integrity, and ability to unite key partners around major investment opportunities.

A Unified Ecosystem for Foreign Investors, Expatriates, and Developers

With expertise spanning finance, development, immigration, real estate, and private lending, the Grupo GAP team offers a comprehensive support system unmatched in Costa Rica. Whether someone needs residency, private funding, property acquisition, or guidance for large-scale development, the company delivers the clarity, structure, and strategic insight required for success.

Today, Grupo GAP stands as a cornerstone in Costa Rica’s expatriate and investment landscape—connecting people, enabling access, and opening doors to opportunities that were once out of reach.

Comprehensive Services: The Grupo Gap Advantage

Gap Equity Loans

Gap Equity Loans represents the cornerstone of Grupo Gap’s financial services, offering a meticulously designed 18-step vetting process that ensures security and quality for private investors. This comprehensive system, mastered by Lawsen Tellier over years of hands-on experience, covers everything from initial property assessment to final National Registry recordings.

Unlike traditional lenders, Gap Equity Loans understands the unique challenges expatriates face in Costa Rica’s financial landscape. Their specialized approach bridges the gap between foreign investment goals and local financial requirements.

Ready to explore loan opportunities in Costa Rica? Explore Loan Options

Gap Investments: Strategic Financial Planning

Drawing on Glenn Tellier’s over 30 years of financial expertise, Gap Investments provides strategic guidance for those seeking to maximize their investment potential in Costa Rica. Their services include comprehensive financial planning tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges of the Costa Rican market.

Whether clients seek to diversify their portfolio with Costa Rican real estate, explore business opportunities, or plan for retirement in paradise, Gap Investments offers the specialized knowledge needed to make informed decisions.

Ready to explore investment opportunities in Costa Rica? Explore investment options

Gap Real Estate

Gap Real Estate leverages Lawsen Tellier’s extensive expertise in property valuation and legal compliance to guide clients through Costa Rica’s unique real estate market. Their team provides invaluable insights into property values, location considerations, and legal requirements that foreign buyers might otherwise overlook.

With intimate knowledge of both local markets and expatriate needs, Gap Real Estate serves as a trusted advisor throughout the property acquisition process, ensuring clients make informed investment decisions aligned with their goals.

Ready to explore Real Estate opportunities in Costa Rica? Find Your Property

Costa Rica Immigration Experts (CRIE)

Born from the collaboration between Glenn Tellier and Johanna Alveraz, CRIE addresses the critical residency requirements that often determine financial access in Costa Rica. Their specialized knowledge helps expatriates navigate the complex immigration landscape, securing the legal status necessary to access broader financial services.

CRIE’s services directly complement Grupo Gap’s financial offerings, creating a seamless pathway from immigration status to property ownership and investment opportunities.

Ready to explore your residency options in Costa Rica? Start Your Residency Process

 


Leadership: The Expertise Behind Grupo Gap

 

Glenn Tellier: Founder & Financial Visionary

With over 30 years in the finance industry, Glenn Tellier brings exceptional depth of knowledge to Grupo Gap. His journey began at the University of British Columbia, where he earned his mortgage broker’s license in the mid-1990s, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in lending, investments, and financial planning.

Glenn’s vision for Grupo Gap emerged from his own experience navigating Costa Rica’s financial landscape as an expatriate. Recognizing the challenges faced by foreign nationals seeking to establish themselves financially, he built a company dedicated to bridging these gaps with expertise and integrity.

His commitment to enhancing Costa Rica’s economic well-being through sound financial advice has made him a respected figure in both expatriate and local communities.

 


Steven James Stewart: Strategic Advisor – Development & Capital Structuring

Steven Stewart brings over 35 years of international expertise in real estate development, capital structuring, and infrastructure finance to Grupo GAP. As Strategic Advisor, he plays a key role in guiding large-scale projects and advising on high-value loan structuring for GAP Investments and GAP Equity Loans.

A permanent resident of Costa Rica since 2004, Steven has helped shape a range of high-impact developments across the country, providing financial strategy and project oversight for residential, commercial, and hospitality ventures. His background includes managing complex capital stacks, working alongside local architects, construction firms, and financial institutions to align investor interests with borrower needs.

Before joining Grupo GAP, Steven led major initiatives in Canada and Latin America, managing a $300 million investment portfolio and advising on multiple Limited Partnerships. In Costa Rica, he has collaborated with top-tier firms such as Edificar, Constructora Meco, and Arquitectos y Diseños. His insights help ensure GAP-funded projects are well-structured, financially viable, and strategically aligned with investor goals.

Steven is fluent in English and Spanish and is highly regarded for his ability to navigate Costa Rica’s regulatory and financial landscape while delivering practical, on-the-ground execution.

 


Lawsen Tellier, Operations Manager

Lawsen Tellier represents the future of Grupo Gap, bringing fresh perspectives while honoring the company’s foundational principles. His professional journey began in his late teens, when he accompanied his father to loan site inspections and absorbed the intricacies of Costa Rica’s financial and real estate landscapes.

Over the course of more than a decade, Lawsen has mastered Gap Equity Loans’ meticulous process, ensuring quality and security for private investors. His dual expertise in loan lending and real estate creates a unique synergy that benefits clients seeking comprehensive financial and property solutions.

“Our mission at Grupo Gap is to provide expatriates and investors with the financial access, real estate expertise, and immigration guidance they need to thrive in Costa Rica. We bridge the gaps that traditional institutions often leave unfilled.”

 


 

Robert N. J. Stewart – Senior Consultant

Robert Stewart is a distinguished Chartered Financial Planner with nearly 60 years of experience and more than 100 industry awards. Beginning his career in 1965, he became one of Kitchener–Waterloo’s most recognized financial planners, earning multiple honors as Regal Capital Planners’ Top Financial Planner and speaking at major international financial conventions in Brazil, Hong Kong, and England.
After relocating to Costa Rica in 2004, Robert expanded his investments across Costa Rica, Spain, and Nicaragua, later serving as Chairman of the Board for a $2.3-billion development initiative, where he provided strategic oversight and high-level planning guidance.
Today, Robert works primarily with Grupo GAP as a senior consultant, specializing in tax-efficient project structures and connecting developers with reputable financial companies for major funding opportunities. His deep global network and decades of strategic experience make him a trusted resource for investors and developers seeking clear pathways to large-scale project financing in Costa Rica. Known for his integrity, precision, and ability to unite the right partners, he continues to support GAP-driven development throughout the region.

Benefit From Decades of Expertise

Let our expertise guide your journey to Costa Rican investment, residency, and real estate.

WhatsApp us now to get started +506 4001-6413
USA/Canada toll-free 855-562-6427

Serving Clients Throughout Costa Rica

Grupo Gap provides services to clients throughout Costa Rica, with particular expertise in popular expatriate destinations. Their intimate knowledge of regional markets, legal considerations, and investment opportunities enables them to provide tailored guidance regardless of where clients wish to establish themselves.

From the bustling Central Valley to the serene coastal communities, Grupo Gap’s comprehensive understanding of Costa Rica’s diverse regions ensures clients receive location-specific expertise that accounts for regional variations in property values, investment potential, and lifestyle considerations.

Client Success Stories

“After struggling with traditional banks, Grupo Gap made our dream of owning a Costa Rican property possible. Their integrated approach to residency and financing simplified what seemed like an impossible process.”

— Michael & Sarah T., Canada

“Gap Investments provided strategic guidance that helped me diversify my portfolio with Costa Rican real estate. Their knowledge of both the financial and legal aspects was invaluable.”

— Robert K., United States

“Relocate CR made our transition to Costa Rica seamless. From residency applications to finding our perfect home, their comprehensive services eliminated the stress of international relocation.”

— The Johnson Family, United Kingdom

Your Partner in Costa Rican Success

Since the early 2000s, Grupo GAP has established itself as a vital resource for expatriates and investors navigating Costa Rica’s distinctive financial and real estate landscapes. By addressing the critical gaps in traditional banking services, providing expert immigration guidance, and offering comprehensive real estate and investment services, Grupo Gap creates pathways for foreign nationals to achieve their dreams in Costa Rica.

The combined expertise of Glenn and Lawsen Tellier, along with their dedicated team, ensures clients receive guidance informed by decades of experience and intimate knowledge of Costa Rica’s evolving markets. Whether you’re seeking to purchase property, secure financing, establish residency, or make strategic investments, Grupo Gap offers the integrated solutions needed to succeed.

Begin Your Costa Rican Journey with Grupo Gap

Whether you’re exploring residency options, seeking property investment opportunities, or need financing solutions, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.

WhatsApp us now to get started +506 4001-6413
USA/Canada toll-free 855-562-6427

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