New guidelines on visas and entry of non-residents to Costa Rica approved

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New guidelines on visas and entry of non-residents to Costa Rica approved

[/vc_column_text][us_separator][vc_column_text] On Tuesday, August 16 of this year, it was published in Scope No. 168 of the Official Gazette La Gaceta No. 149, theCircular DG-0018-07-2022-DG-UV,This circular refers to the new Guidelines for Issuing Visas for Entry into the Country, as well as for the Stay of Non-Residents. The following are the most relevant and important changes contained in the new circular:

1. Nationalities included in the second group (a link with the respective information on the different groups and the guidelines is included at the end of this document) will be granted a maximum stay of 30 days, extendable up to 90 days.
2. For Nicaraguans, the minimum validity period for their passports upon entry is three months, and the validity period is up to 90 days. In this case, the previous guideline indicated that the passport must be valid for six months, a period that was now equated to the validity period, leaving both at 90 days.
3. Nicaraguans may apply for two consular visas at the Costa Rican Consulate in Managua, justifying their need to enter the country twice. This may be due, for example, to the need to leave Costa Rica for another destination and return via the same route, or for any other reason they may state at the time of their application.
4. For Colombians, the minimum passport validity period for entry into the country has been increased from six months to three months, and their stay will be limited to up to 90 days.
5. Venezuelans outside of Venezuela may apply for a consular visa at Costa Rican consulates in their respective countries. Venezuelans in Venezuela must apply for a visa through the Costa Rican consulate in Colombia, presenting the corresponding requirements.
6. Nationals of countries requiring a consular or restricted visa who hold a visa or residency status of any category, including refugee status, from the United States or Canada may enter the country without a visa, provided that the document proving their status is valid for at least three months upon entering Costa Rica. C1, C2, and C3 transit visas are exempt and will not be accepted as an exception for entry into Costa Rica.
7. Those who require a consular or restricted visa and hold a legal residence document in any category or residence permit that allows multiple entries valid for at least three months in Switzerland, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Iceland, and other European Union countries may not require a consular visa to enter the country. This exception does not include refugees.
8. Nationals of countries requiring a consular visa for refugee status or stateless persons may apply for a consular visa in the host country or at any Costa Rican Consulate.
9. Nationals of countries requiring restricted visas who are refugees or stateless may apply for a visa through the corresponding procedure.
10. The travel document issued by the host country or by the United Nations (UN), known aspassheld by refugees will be valid for entry to Costa Rica, and the entry and stay requirements will be those established in these Guidelines.
11. Consuls may issue tourist and provisional visas to any national in the visa group, including refugees, according to established guidelines.

It is important to emphasize that foreigners must undergo the corresponding immigration control with a Professional Immigration Police officer, who will authorize or deny their entry and determine the number of days of legal stay, given that the visa is an expectation of entry into the country. That said, it is important to note that nationals of countries not listed above are included in the visa-restricted entry group. Finally, this guideline will take effect eight calendar days after its publication in the La Gaceta newspaper, that is, on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Download the document by clicking here.here. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, by emailmigracioncr@lexincorp.com  [/vc_column_text][us_separator][vc_column_text]Written by: Jimena Muñoz [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]