Costa Rica: Consular Registration Requirement Reinstated for Residence Permit Applicants

• Affected applications. The change affects foreign nationals applying for any initial residence permit to live and/or work in Costa Rica (including Short-stay Visas and Temporary Residence permits in any subcategory).
• Exceptions. Foreign nationals whose home country does not have consular representation in Costa Rica, and those applying for a cross-border permit or for an extension of their tourist stay, are exempt from the consular registration requirement.
• Details of the requirement. Foreign nationals must complete the registration before they can apply for their initial Residence Identity Card (DIMEX) after their residence permit is approved.
• Unaffected applications. Foreign nationals who submit their applications before October 16, 2023, are unaffected by this change and will not have to register with their home country consulate in Costa Rica.

Affected foreign nationals will need to take an additional step to support their permit application in Costa Rica. This will add an administrative hurdle (consular posts generally require that the foreign national apply in person), possible additional costs for employers and foreign nationals, and potential delays.

Though foreign nationals are allowed to work upon approval of their residence permit (or during processing, in certain cases), those without a valid DIMEX may face restrictions in traveling abroad; initiating certain government services, such as obtaining a driver’s license; and initiating financial processes, such as opening a bank account.

Fragomen can typically assist foreign nationals with consular registrations.

• History of requirement. This requirement was implemented in Costa Rica in 2012 but subsequently suspended in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery period.
• Reason for reinstatement of requirement. According to the DGME, consular registration helps guarantee the identity of foreign nationals, ensuring the legal integrity of immigration processes.

The Costa Rican president recently declared a state of emergency due to an increase in the number of foreign nationals entering Costa Rica irregularly. As this issue persists, and organized crime in certain areas of the country increases, authorities will likely implement other rules to further scrutinize immigration applications.