Costa Rica: Update on Technical Issues with Social Security Agency’s Online System

As an update to the cybersecurity breach on the Social Security Agency’s online system, foreign nationals are still unable to obtain social security receipts. However, the General Immigration Directorate (DGME) is now allowing foreign nationals to register and apply for their Resident Identity Card without the social security receipt, which is usually required. In this case, the DGME will verify later, at the first residence renewal, whether the employer is up to date with their social security payment obligations. If it finds that the employer is not registered or up to date, it could cancel the foreign national’s immigration status and the employer’s DGME accreditation status (if applicable). During the system outage, the DGME is also allowing eligible employers to apply for or renew their DGME accreditation status without proof of social security registration or tax payments, which it will also verify later when the system is restored.