Due to the COVID- 19, the Costa Rican Immigration Bureau has issued new special rules for the following months, all in accordance to resolution DJUR-043-03-2019-JM.
Tourists who entered the country after December 17th, 2019 will have their tourist visa extended until May 17th, 2020.
Immigration will not be receiving new residency applications under any category, and the service will be resumed on May 17th, 2020. In accordance to the above, the expiration of birth certificates and police records will be extended through July 17th, 2020.
Immigration will keep working on all current files that have been submitted and are in process, and will be notifying any advances by email or fax on the files that have this type of notification method indicated.
They have also indicated that they will continue receiving the normal requests of copies of files directly presented at Immigration offices.
It has also been informed, that any documentation process for the first time as well as for renewal of residency cards shall be done requesting an appointment through Banco de Costa Rica or Correos de Costa Rica. Immigration has cancelled all appointments and those will be rescheduled starting May 18th, 2020.
The renewal of the DIMEX (residency card) for temporary residents married with Costa Rican citizens can be done only at Immigration offices, Subprocess of Documentation, and the term for such renewal has been extended without exceeding July 17th, 2020 for those to request the renewal.
The renewal of the DIMEX for residents that have a bond with Costa Rican citizens and special categories can be renewed at (a) Banco de Costa Rica or Correos de Costa Rica, or (b) With an appointment at the Documentation Subprocess. For this cases, the term for the renewal has also been extended without exceeding July 17th, 2020, for those requests to be submitted.
It is important to mention that the borders will be closed for foreigners (Tourists) entering the country, from March 18th, 2020 at 23.59 pm until April 12th 2020 at 23.59 pm. Only Costa Rican citizens, residents and persons with a residency in process (need to have the file number to give it to the Immigration officer) are allowed to enter the country, with the inconvenience that everyone will be required to do a 14-day quarantine at home.
Note: The purpose of the present publication is to provide general information on the updates for Immigration regulations in Costa Rica and it is not intended to be legal advice as such. In case more specific information is required regarding these topics, please do not hesitate to contact any of our lawyers.
