By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica

Based on many recent communications from clients stuck outside or inside Costa Rica, it seems that the most common ailment out there is Cabin Fever. The #1 request is about the lifting of travel restrictions in or out of Costa Rica. It is interesting and very telling that those “stuck” in Costa Rica seem more comfortable with that situation than those lingering back in their home countries. Those itching to come into Costa Rica to live outnumber those seeking to leave Costa Rica by a VERY wide margin. A good sign for Costa Rica and its future health as a expat investment destination.

Officially, the most recent re-set date for the lifting of travel restrictions has now been moved to June 15th. So for now, it is best not to make any firm travel plans just yet. If booking flights for later in May or in June, be sure to purchase flight cancelation insurance or be ready to alter the flight dates. Stay linked to The Costa Rica Star https://news.co.cr/ for official updates.

Ex-pats should also register with their respective embassies, so they receive updates from those embassies automatically as they happen. Registration within those sites only takes a few minutes, and you will then receive automatic and very timely updates as to travel restrictions.

USA: https://step.state.gov/step/

Canada: https://www.voyage2.gc.ca/minroca/std/termsandconditions-en.html

UK: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-in-costa-rica

If you are getting ready to apply for residency, please do not be concerned about documents expiring. The Department of Immigration has issued a grace period up to July 17th. Given that Immigration will open to the public on May 18th, you will have plenty of time for submission of your residency applications and documents.

With regards to that May 18th date of immigration re-opening to the public, it is unclear as to how the entrance will be controlled to maintain safe social distancing. You can be sure access will be restricted and tightly controlled. So it won’t be business as usual with the typical daily stampede of tightly packed crowds. Logic dictates that entrance will likely be limited to less than half of the norms of the past. Stepped up controls will probably be maintained for many weeks or even months.

Whether it be June 15th or a re-scheduled date beyond, it is highly unlikely that Panama or Nicaraguan borders will be open any time soon. The COVID-19 situation in each of those countries is not on par with Costa Rica by any means. So border runs will remain out of the question for some time to come.

That brings up the question about how to maintain the validity of foreign drivers licenses. The validity of those licenses is tied to the 90-day vista stamps received when entering Costa Rica. Residency applicants awaiting approvals on applications and are well past the expiry of their last 90 visa stamps would usually make border runs to Nicaragua or Panama to obtain updated visa stamps to maintain driver’s license validity. With those borders closed, that will not be possible. The government has extended a grace period up to July 17th on visa stamps received after December 17th. This grace period will also apply to foreign drivers licenses.

For ex-pat legal residents with a Costa Rica driver’s license that expired AFTER March 20th, those will remain valid up until May 15th. They are renewable at any of 22 BCR participating branches. For those of you whose Costa Rica driver’s license expired BEFORE March 20th, there is no grace period. You will be fined if pulled over. So renew them asap

As Costa Rica shines on the world stage as one of the safest and healthiest country to live in before, during and after COVID-19, there will invariably be an uptick in residency applicants. I would strongly recommend getting the jump on your residency process now.