More Pressure on Perpetual Tourists
The new immigration law took effect on March 1st, and while much of it has yet to be sorted out it is clear that immigration officials are applying pressure on Perpetual Tourists. Americans living in Costa Rica on tourist visas have run into some serious problems.
While the 90 Day Tourist Visa Renewal available for a $100 fee was touted as a possible benefit by the English speaking news media it now appears that this provision will in practice NOT apply to tourists from the United States.
Immigration is only granting the 90 day renewal for those who initially receive 30 day visas, and citizens of the United States and Canada generally receive 90 day tourist visas upon entry to Costa Rica. There are reports of denials from American who have applied at immigration for the 90 days extensions.
The big shock is that immigration officials at land border crossings are getting tough with returning Americans who have previous visa stamps in their passports. In particular the Sixaola check point on the border with Panama has a reputation for being tough on perpetual tourists and the latest trick is that Americans are only getting 30 days visas instead of the usual 90 day visa.
Sixaola Border Crossing is a Rough Spot to be Denied Entry
The reason given by immigration officials is that they aren’t required to give 90 days. The practice is perhaps more effective than outright denial of entry because the perpetual tourist is simply told to move on and there is not means of effective recourse. The new law also requires that prior to a third entry into Costa Rica that the tourist have remained outside the country for 14 days instead of the normal 72 hours for customs exemption.
So far there have been no reports of perpetual tourists being told to wait in Panama for two weeks before they can get a new stamp, but it does seem likely.
Another shoe that has yet to drop is the application of fines on the way out of the country for those found overstaying their 90 day visa. The new fines are more substantial and the system in place at the airport for collecting the $26 departure tax would seem to make it a simple matter to identify anyone who has overstayed.
San Jose Airport: Depature Tax Desks on Left
Paying several hundred dollars in fines on your way home to the United States at a time when a perpetual tourist is usually flat broke seems like a harsh disincentive to come back.
Immigration is enforcing some of the new rules and now there is no doubt should all the measures be fully implemented that the new immigration law will send perpetual tourists to the airport.
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Filed Under: Local News
Just another example of third world government shooting itself in the foot- they build up tourism then make it uncomfortable for the tourist – next thing you know there will be drug dealer on the streets – crackhead beggars in front of your hotel-muggings- immigration raids on your favorite hangouts. NO not in Costa Rica.
My wife and I have been here for a year and a half as “perpetual tourists.” During that time, we’ve spent about $50,000, our entire retirement budget, minus what we’ve spent outside CR on our “border runs.” If CR doesn’t want us, Nicaragua and Panama surely do.
It is about time that the government of Costa Rica cracks down on these people. For Mr. Lynch, if he could afford to spend that much money in Costa Rica, why didn’t he go ahead and apply for legal residence? He would have saved the money that he spent on his border runs. That much money in only 18 months sure sounds like enough to qualify as a pensionado, even under the new law. And, btw, who ever heard of a tourist staying so long anywhere? Check any dictionary, and you’ll find that a true tourist is one who travels (i.e., does NOT stay in one place) for pleasure!
You may be right on the definition of tourist.However,for years CR promoted the idea of Medical Tourism,buying a condo etc.As a tourist.One does not buy a condo to stay in it 7 days at a time. Yes,last time I was given a seven day visa. Regarding residency,it is not a matter of having money for it or not. When you give up your residency for CR residency you are making a life changing decision. While many countries allow dual citizenship,no country that I know allows dual residency. In all entitlements,grants,tax matters the first question is what is your residency. If you declare CR as your residence, you may lose a lot and make your life very complicated at home.Many people simply omit the CR residency on their affairs at home,but that is an offence. For me, to spend 6-7-8 months a year here is not worth the hassle.It is different if you decide to give up your original residency. Also I do not need the obligation to spend 4 months every year in CR. It seems that CR was very sucessful in attracting many long term tourists, to the benefit of CR, but now they want to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. After 7 years of spending a few months and plenty of money here, I am packing.Not only is this duplicious xenophobic official attitude annoying to me, but the high cost of living, the corruption at all levels are enough for me to leave. I am one of the few who learned spanish well,integrated into CR society and supported tourism to CR. Not any more.
It is about time that the government of Costa Rica cracks down on these people. For Mr. Lynch, if he could afford to spend that much money in Costa Rica, why didn’t he go ahead and apply for legal residence? He would have saved the money that he spent on his border runs. That much money in only 18 months sure sounds like enough to qualify as a pensionado, even under the new law. And, btw, who ever heard of a tourist staying so long anywhere? Check any dictionary, and you’ll find that a true tourist is one who travels (i.e., does NOT stay in one place) for pleasure!
Bravo Costa Rica! As a expat who went thru all the proper steps as I was in the process of moving here and is legally living here, who gives a hoot how much you spent while here as a perpetual tourist, you should have thought of that first! How much did you pay in taxes here and did you report all, including your S.A., to the IRS back home? How dare we say that because we spent our precious dollars here we are entitled to anything from Costa Rica in any way! Way to clean out the country CR!!!! Buh Bye to slacker expats!
Great. The USA allows immigrants to ruin the economy and drain all the resources but if a white anglo US citizen wants to live in another country the road blocks are impassible. All the mexicans are driving around in brand new cars and trucks because they don’t pay taxes, insurance, and receive welfare for their 12 kids. Meanwhile a white male can hardly afford to eat. Wonderful.
Well, this is all very interesting. My husband and I have been in CR for 3 years, we own a business here and have invested quite a bit of money here.. which we have yet to recover. We do not “fit” into any of the residential requirements for becoming a resident. Actually, if we could fork over about 10,000.00 to 15,000.00 it would look like we did fit into one of the 3 categories. Anyway, we are currently working on getting our residence but it ain’t easy bro. and with the money we do not have any more due to our business here, we certainly can not afford another 10 to 15,000.00 investment to attorney to get a residence. BTW. We have reported and paid all of our taxes both here and in the USA.. including a corporate tax in the US. (and now a corporate tax in Costa Rica) We have not made money here so we have not had to pay much but it is still expensive running back and forth, plus we have an accountant here and one in the USA which are both a large expense. We are in a tourist business, so we have provided CR with income and we hire locals to run our business..paying all the necessary tax and SS. We are not complaining about any of that, what would be terrible for us would be to be denied entrance into this Country because we have not been able to get a residence. So it is a bit scary. If we are guilty of anything it is stupidity and ignorance. We would like to just know that we can continue to come and go as we please. that’s all I have to say about that.