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Visa Extensions for Tourists in Costa Rica Will Come to an End

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After repeated visa extensions throughout 2020 and 2021, June 2, 2021 (coming up soon) is the last extension date on visa expiries if you are here in Costa Rica on a tourist visa alone.

As a reminder, tourists who enter Costa Rica with a passport from the U.S, Canada, and EU, plus several other countries in the approved country groups, automatically received a 90-day visa stamp when entering or re-entering Costa Rica. (For clarity on which group your country falls under, check with your nearest Costa Rica Consulate or here:

In 2020 and for the first half of this year, 2021, considering COVID’s severe impacts on movement, Costa Rica extended the visa expiry dates several times, the last being up to June 2, 2021, on tourists. (September 1 for others with certain qualifying situations.)

This last visa extension date is definitely June 2, 2021, for foreigners who arrived in Costa Rica as tourists after December 17, 2019. There will be no more extensions.

Therefore, some of you will have to do a border run by June 1. Most of you in this category have waited until this coming week to maximize the 90-day visa stamp you will receive. (IE: It will get you valid out to late August.)

For an easy to read, comprehensive outline of entry, exit, or re-entry requirements, link to:

Entry Requirements

For those of you under the following situations, your visas are extended to September 1, 2021:

1. Submitted your residency application and are awaiting approval. Always carry your Plantilla A.K.A. your Expediente, which is proof of your submission.

2. Have been approved for residency and are completing the final steps and, or awaiting your DIMEX card issuance.

Foreign Driver’s License Validity

The validity of foreign drivers’ licenses expires on September 30, 2021 if you are awaiting approval on a submitted residency application as per Resolution 2021-000196: (Translation) GRANT A PERIOD OF GRACE to foreigners whose condition migratory can be classified as “regular”, due to the application process for change of immigration category or extension, whose final resolution is pending resolution by the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners; and that have also been seen affected by the implications that the Covid-19 disease has caused in services institutional public, so that they can travel through the roads with their licenses issued abroad are valid or expired as of March 20 of 2020; as long as they meet the condition established in article 33 below and concordant with Law No. 8764 “General Law on Migration and Aliens.” This period of Grace will run until September 30, 2021.

All other foreign drivers’ licenses for those here as tourists will see their foreign drivers’ license validity expire June 1, 2021. So, for those of you who wish to drive legally in Costa Rica, it is essential that you leave Costa Rica on a flight out or do a border run for a fresh 90-day visa stamp. As in the past, the validity of your foreign drivers’ license will remain tied to that visa stamp. I remind you that the 90-day visa stamp is not automatic as it was pre-COVID. The number of days issued on your visa stamp is determined by the number of days of COVID insurance your purchase.

Other clients who have done border runs to Nicaragua have had much better luck in getting the visa stamps. Check social media conversations for the latest occurrences and feedback.

If you are in need of immigration assistance Laura can be reached by clicking here, Toll-free at 1-833-733-6337, Locally at or by sending an email to info@immigrationhelpcr.com.

(https://news.co.cr/visa-extensions-for-tourists-in-costa-rica-will-come-to-an-end/82870/)

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