Expats Facing Long Backlog for Residency Applications
More foreigners now looking to get residency status in Costa Rica.
With all the recent travel restrictions due to the pandemic, many foreigners who own property in Costa Rica or who have been considering making a move here are now a bit more motivated to obtain residency status. For those who qualify the process is can take some time but with the help of an attorney is a fairly simple process. But current events has caused closures and suspensions to the immigration department and those wishing to apply will need to wait and can expect to see quite a backlog once the department begins processing again. The Immigration Department has further delayed the date which they will start accepting residency applications, to July 18, 2020. Please take note, tourists (non-Residents) who entered the country after December 17, 2019, may legally remain in Costa Rica until August 18, 2020. This is an automatic extension.
For those interested in securing residency, now is a good time to collect the documents required to be ready to file applications by July 18, 2020. We continue to assist clients who’ve decided to do just that.
- The Immigration Department issued this morning RESOLUCIÓN N° DJUR-0077-05-2020-JM, which, in summary, states:
- The Immigration Department WILL NOT receive Residency applications going forward and until July 18, 2020. This includes all categories. Basically, Residency applications are suspended until July 18, 2020.
- The Immigration Department will continue analyzing applications during this time. Hopefully, it will give them time to catch up on delayed work.
- Approvals and rejections will continue to be issued and notified solely via fax or email.
- Documents issued abroad that were valid by March 17, 2020, will be deemed valid (meaning their validity will be automatically extended) until September 18, 2020.
- Deadlines to respond to exigencies and appeals are extended until September 18, 2020.
- File copies can be requested until July 18, 2020.
- The exclusive attorney window used by many professionals to follow up on applications will remain closed until September 18, 2020.
- DIMEX (commonly known as cedulas) requests: Will work solely through Banco de Costa Rica and Correos de Costa Rica by APPOINTMENT ONLY.
- DIMEX validity:
The validity of DIMEX cards for Permanent Residents will be extended until September 30, 2020. - The validity of DIMEX cards for Temporary Residents and Special Categories that have expired after December 18, 2019 onwards will be extended until September 30, 2020.
- After September 30, 2020, Permanent and Temporary Residents, as well as Special Categories, will have up to three months, per law, to renew. Failure to renew within these three months will result in the cancellation of your status.
- Notice that you can still renew your DIMEX cards either at Correos de Costa Rica or Banco de Costa Rica to avoid rushing after September 30, 2010.
- Entry visas for Restricted Nationalities are suspended until July 18, 2020.
- Minor’s exit permit requests and issuance of Costa Rican passports will continue to work, as normal
- Tourists (non-Residents) who entered the country after December 17, 2019, may legally remain in Costa Rica until August 18, 2020. This is an automatic extension.
The following is yet to be addressed:
Transportation is yet to confirm if they will allow foreign nationals to drive until August 18, 2020. It is expected that they will, however, the confirmation is yet to be published. Once published, we will inform you through our Facebook page and News Site.
Please take note:
Borders remain closed until June 15, 2020. This date is expected to be reevaluated and extended.
The rule today is that only Residents, people with Special Categories, Estancias, people with applications in progress filed at the Immigration Department, parents of minor Costa Rican nationals, spouses of Costa Rican nationals and Costa Rican nationals may enter the country as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
However, Residents, people with Special Categories, Estancias, parents of minor Costa Rican children, spouses of Costa Rican nationals or applications in progress who depart the country between March 25, 2020, at 23:59 and until borders reopen WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RE-ENTER.
Again, the expat community interested in securing Residency can continue collecting their documents to be ready to file their applications by July 18, 2020. We continue assisting a vast number of clients who have decided to do just that, meaning take advantage of this time to gather the documents, have them apostilled or legalized and be ready to go by July 18, 2020.
Written by
IRENE BRENES
