In order to continue strengthening the control of the health measures in the fight against COVID-19, the Immigration Authority and the Ministry of Health made the following temporary modifications to the temporary regulations established in Executive Decrees 42287-MGP-S , 42256 and 42374-MGP-S:

Term of Health Measures for the Closing of International Borders: The restriction measure for entering the country will be from 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. This restriction it will be applied in all Immigration Border Patrol checkpoints to prohibit the entry of people by land, air, sea and inland waterways. This measure will be reviewed and analyzed by the Executive Branch in accordance with the epidemiological behavior of COVID-19.

Entrances and Exits of Costa Rica: For foreign individuals who have obtained an authorized legal stay under the immigration categories of Permanent Residence, Temporary Residence, Special Categories or Non-Resident Stay Permits, the Government will apply the established restriction measures, as well as the health measures  indicated by the Ministry of Health if they leave the country between 11:59 p.m. on March 25 and 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2020, both dates inclusive.

Restriction Measures: The established restriction measures are the following:

  • Foreign individuals who have an authorized legal stay under the Immigration categories of Permanent Residence, Temporary Residence, Special Categories or Non-Resident Stay Permits, may leave the country; however, they may not enter the national territory until the official opening of international borders. They will not lose their immigration status.
  • Foreign individuals who have obtained an authorized legal stay under the Immigration categories of Permanent Residence, Temporary Residence, Special Categories or Non-Resident Stay Permits, will lose their Immigration status either if they try to enter through an unauthorized Border Patrol checkpoint or in an irregular condition.
  • Foreign individuals who are currently in Costa Rica with a tourist visa status, may remain in Costa Rica until August 18, 2020.

 

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