Costa Rica: Stricter Eligibility for Refugee Status Applicants

The General Immigration Directorate (DGME) has implemented the following stricter eligibility criteria for refugee status applicants in Costa Rica effective immediately:

• • Applicants must submit their refugee status application within one calendar month from the date of entry to Costa Rica. Previously, no such limitation existed.
  • Applicants seeking to work in Costa Rica during the processing of their application must apply to the DGME for a work permit and can only apply if their application is still pending after three months from the filing date. Previously, applicants received a Residency Identity Card after two months of processing, which automatically allowed them to work in Costa Rica.
  • Foreign nationals who stayed or transited through a third country deemed socio-politically safe (as determined by the DGME) prior to arriving in Costa Rica are not eligible to apply for refugee status in Costa Rica. Previously, this rule did not exist.
  • Refugee status applicants could have their application rejected if they leave Costa Rica during processing of their application. Previously, this rule did not exist.
  • Foreign nationals who obtain refugee status in Costa Rica must prove they are enrolled in Costa Rica’s Social Security program to be able to obtain or renew a must Residency Identity Card. Previously, refugee status holders were not required to enroll in social security.

Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional for more information and case-specific advice.