Exceptions to the Entry Ban Rule
As announced: Starting March 18, 2020 at 23:59 and until April 12, 2020 at 23:59, only Residents and Costa Rican nationals may enter the country as a result of the COVID19 crisis.
Some of the exceptions to the rule, per Decree N° 42238 – MGP – S are:
- Costa Rican nationals
- Costa Rican Residents with valid DIMEX (generally referred to as cedula) cards. This means Temporary (examples include Pensionados, Rentistas and Investors) and Permanent Residents.
- Special Categories
- Estancias
- People with applications in process, meaning people whose requests were duly filed at Immigration and have an application filing receipt or plantilla, in Spanish, showing an application number (expediente).
These people will be allowed to enter the country during this period.
When traveling, people will need to carry, amongst other things, their valid passports and valid DIMEX cards or valid passports and application filing receipts. People with applications in process, meaning non-residents that during this period will be treated, before the law, as Residents for entry purposes, may also need to show round trip tickets, showing an eventual departure from Costa Rica, at the port of entry. This is not confirmed but it has been the rule prior to this crisis which is why we recommend you still carry produce this upon entry to avoid any delay or issue.
Those who enter during this period will be asked to complete a 14 natural days quarantine period. Per information at hand, the quarantine period will be completed at the person’s residency or home in Costa Rica. The Minister of Health has stated that people who do not follow the quarantine request may be subjected to penalties. It is to be expected that people will be handed a request at the port of entry that will contain instructions. Health Officials will work closely with Authorities to ensure proper care at all ports of entry.
Still no confirmation on:
- What will happen to foreign nationals who have received the approval of their Residency but are yet to secure a DIMEX cards? Are they free to enter the country as part of the Resident population? Considering people who have applied are being allowed in, people with approved Residencies should be allowed in as well without inconveniences. They would need to carry their approval resolutions. The quarantine period will apply to them.
- Transportation Authorities (MOPT and COSEVI) are yet to confirm if they will recognize the “legal status” of those tourists who will be deemed legal until May 17, 2020. As many Expats know, you should be allowed to drive in the country using a foreign driver’s license as long as your entry stamp is valid. Therefore, at this time it is unknown if the legal status Immigration is granting to tourists until May 17 will also be recognized by Transportation Authorities.