These are the new entry requirements for foreigners to Costa Rica

The General Directorate of Immigration and Emigration (DGME) published new guidelines that make it more flexible for foreigners of certain nationalities to enter Costa Rica, as of Tuesday, August 16. It basically applies to citizens of Nicaragua and Colombia entering as tourists or transit visas and refugees residing in the United States and Canada.

By order DG-0018-07-2022-DG-UV, DGME Reduces by six to three months Validity period of passport for Nicaraguans and Colombians at the time of entry into the country. For example, as per the earlier guidelines, when the person’s passport was less than six months valid at the time of visa processing, the process was withdrawn. That term has now been halved.

At the very least, these citizens are equivalent to the second group of 37 countries with immigration-controlled entry, whose passports are valid for a minimum of three months.

This group includes Guatemala, Honduras, Turkey, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Dominica and Granada, Costa Rica does not require a visa to enter and can stay for a maximum of 30 days.

Migration guidance issued this Saturday maintains a 90-day validity period for visas issued to citizens of Nicaragua and Colombia.

Nicaraguans, moreover, DGME A consulate in your country of birth will allow you to apply for two visas, until they justify the need to enter Costa Rica twice. For example, this benefit is recognized when they leave the territory of Costa Rica to another destination and return the same way.

For Venezuela, the circular clarifies that the visa must be applied for through the Costa Rican consulate in Colombia, as that country does not have a consular representation in Venezuela and presents the same requirements.

In the meantime, it maintains the option that Venezuelans outside their country may manage negotiated visas in third countries and family reunification from Costa Rica under current immigration law.

Another flexibility allows nationals of a consular or restricted visa group of countries Refugees living in the United States and Canada to enter Costa Rica without a visa. Asylum is valid for at least three months in that country. This exception is reserved for those who have a visa or other legal stay in those North American countries.

In the case of Cuban refugees in the United States, for example, the DGME required a negotiated visa to enter the national territory beginning in 2022. Previously, they did not need to, despite a requirement from 2016.

On the other hand, refugees or irregular persons from countries requiring a consular visa, resident in a third country, They can apply for that visa at any Costa Rican embassy abroad, but without prior consultation. Citizens of countries like Albania, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Indonesia or Yemen are eligible here. This group consists of 72 countries.

Finally, visa-restricted nationals or non-residents of 15 countries, residents of third countries, Consult the visa administration. Here are citizens of some countries like North Korea, Myanmar, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.

For refugees to enter, the country must allow safe conduct recognized by the United Nations (UN). laissez-passer.

Despite the changes, the DGME clarified that “a visa is a prerequisite for entry into the country and the foreigner must submit to the relevant immigration control with a professional immigration police officer who will approve (or reject) their entry as well as the number of days of permanent stay in the country”.