Costa Rica Immigration and Residency Summary In this article I will set forth a summary of the most current Costa Rica Immigration laws and regulations which will guide you through the updated procedures for applying for residency in Costa Rica. All information contained in this artic

Costa Rica Immigration restricts admission of Schengen and Japan visa holders For many years Costa Rica automatically admitted into Costa Rica the citizens of countries that had in their passport a Schengen visa or a visa issued by Japan. The Schengen visa is granted by the 26 member

Who is coming to Costa Rica.   The Costa Rica Department of Costa Rica carries a tally of the entries and exits of visitors to Costa Rica by nationality.   The United States continues to be the largest group of visitors to Costa Rica. According to the Costa Rica Tourism Institute (I.C

 Costa Rica Mandatory Registration with Social Security For Residency Any foreign resident in Costa Rica that wants to obtain or renew their legal resident status must provide proof that they are covered by the medical insurance system of the Costa Rica Social Security Administration

What is a DIMEX Identification Card.   It is your residency card.   The Costa Rica banking system will not process bank to bank wire transfers known locally as a SINPE transfer for foreigners that do not have a DIMEX identification card. The DIMEX is nothing more than the Residency Id

Costa Rica Investor residency is available for those that invest at least US$200,000 in Costa Rica. Watch the Investor residency video to find out more about the program.

How to get a your Social Security letter form the Federal Benefits office of the US Embassy in Costa Rica. If you are applying to Pensionado residency in Costa Rica and you need to submit with your application proof of social security income you now request the letter online.   The US

Baby Boomers in Costa Rica During the administration of President Oscar Arias the Costa Rican government declared that Baby Boomers were a national priority for Costa Rica.  What happened to this initiative ?   Politics got in the way. Under the “National Priority” proposa

If you are applying for residency in Costa Rica you will need to have the documents issued in your country of origin legalized so that they are valid for use in Costa Rica. How do you do this.   The first step is to ask if your country is a member of The Hague Convention on the Authen

The Embassy and Consulates of Costa Rica in the United States. The information contained in this section will assist you in locating either the Embassy or the Consulates of Costa Rica in the United States. The Embassy of the Costa Rica in the United States is located in Washington D.C

Hiring workers in Costa Rica that do not have the proper immigration work permits is illegal.   In the past enforcement and fines have been lax.   However as of August 1, 2014 the fines established by the Immigrtaion Regulations No. 36769-G are in effect.  Those regulations are curren

Costa Rica requires foreign residents that are applying for residency or renewing their residency to pay into the Costa Rican social security system know as the “Caja” which is short for Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social.   The obligation is to pay the health care portio