Still Thinking of Doing Border Runs? On May 15. 2014, I went on the Expatriates in Costa Rica Facebook group and asked the question below. See for yourself if you’re planning to keep doing the 90-day border runs. Check out the real post here: on.fb.me/1k1VqaD QUESTION: I heard Costa Rica is cracking down on “Perpetual Tourism” in different ways and i want to know if any of you had these problems? For example: - Not being allowed to re-enter Costa Rica. - If allowed, you may have be given fewer days, and not a full 90 days, forcing you to leave the country again in order to avoid the fines for overstaying a visa. Please let me know if you had a bad experience lately. SOME RESPONSES: Terrillynn West said: “Many I know have been given less than 90 days at least one time or another.” Jamie McDonald said: “I over stayed by 13 days, we were flying out of SJO [San José International Airport]… We were taken into the “room”, given a lecture, and when we came back in we were only given 30 days (denied extensions) and after renewing our 30 day, we were given 60 days (even with a bus ticket). Once we were allowed 90 days again, I have never over stayed. They made us run the gauntlet. Others I know have had no problem when they over stayed.” Margaret Aliff said: “I was given a 50-day visa and a 10-day visa during my first 6-9 months here when I was following all the rules, return ticket, etc. Immigration officer yelling and screaming at me ‘no more CR for you’, etc………not fun! I applied for residency soon after! I have heard many stories of short visas with instructions to apply for residency if you want to continue to spend time in CR. Other changes happening at banks, etc. that make it more difficult to live here full-time without residency. Laws do not want people living and working here full-time intentionally without residency…these laws are not enforced consistently. Bottom-line, CR has NO obligation to renew our tourists visas when we attempt to re-enter the country. Tourists can be turned away at Immigration Officer’s discretion for any reason and without reason.” James Dyde said: “People who “choose to overstay a bit” like it’s no big deal are exactly the reason why things are getting harder for perpetual tourists, including those who follow the rules. That complete lack of respect for the laws of the country just shows contempt for Costa Rica when you think about it. If border runs are such a pain in the ass, get residency.” Jamie McDonald said: “Yep, when we were given our first 30 days. We applied for an extension and were denied because we had no valid reason, ie) medical, school, etc.” Margaret Aliff also said: “Tourist visa gives us permission to be here for “rest and relaxation only without working while in CR, we must have financial means to support our ‘visit’ in CR without working while here”. “Tourist” visa does not give us permission to establish a residency in CR or sit at a desk and work to produce income … Tourist status does not give us permission to establish a residence in CR. It is really very simple.” Residency: The Alternative to Perpetual Tourism Constant Visa runs to bordering Panama and Nicaragua gets old fast. There is a better solution to all this hassle and uncertainty, and it involves applying for resident status. There are plenty strategies and approaches to residency. Costa Rica offers feasible options for foreigners who wish to become legal residents. There are different immigrant categories, which also include students and workers who contracted for specific projects by companies doing business in Costa Rica. If you would like to apply for legal permanent residency in Costa Rica and have all of your immigration questions answered, please contact us at +506-8373-2085. Want to live in Costa Rica? See if you qualify for residence at bit.ly/1omFw34 #RetireInCostaRica #LiveInCostaRica #CostaRicaResidency
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 16:53:53 +0000
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