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.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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