www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The lead story in todays AM Costa Rica

http://www.amcostarica.com/

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I'm guessing some of those tico immigration officers are taking sadistic pleasure in all of this.
Maybe it's time to re-think the concept of permanent residency.

Might just be the push I need to make me shake things up. I am taking some stuff back to the States next trip and leave it at my mom's house. First time I don't get a 90 day stamp will probably make some major life changes. Since all I need to work is the internet, I will look to other spots or not living anywhere at all and wandering for a while. Come back for part of the year here to see friends. Not gonna sweat it, not gonna get upset or anything. Will just take it as a sign if it happens. It's been a good ride.

I wonder what impact if any this will have on their economy.

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--==xpatriot==--

Yep I read the article and it looks like we "perpetual Tourists" have a real problem this time. I could give plenty of reasons why this will be bad for Costa Rica, however that never seems to matter here in Paradise. I sent an e mail to my fancy (expensive) lawyer and he will be back next week from vacation. I am open to suggestions for a good residency lawyer.

As Paul Harvey say's (or said; he's dead ) now the "rest of the story...." (or at least a little more to the story

From the article:

"The man acknowledged that he had overstayed his previous 90-day permission in Costa Rica by a week or so ........"

No doubt the Immigration Agent was pissed at the contempt the man showed by overstaying his visa. OTOH, Perpetual tourism is beneficial for the Costa Rican economy, and in CR things change slowly if at all - but you never know. Like many news outlets, they take something that happened and now its a trend, even though the vast majority are not effected by what the article describes. This whole issue illustrates that you can be a little pregnant after all, because as a perpetual tourist you are really a permanent resident for all intents and purposes. Very few places in the world allow this "sorta" immigration policy.

As I've posted to Vegas Bob in the past; as well as to others in a similar situation - assuming there are no personal barriers to obtaining permanent residency; if you say there are not, I take you at your word....why the hell do you not apply and put an end to the nonsense? If you are here years,especially if you own property - its time.

I would not have this as one of the things I worry about (plenty that are beyond our control - this is not ), to say nothing of the hassle and expense) of leaving every 90 days.

Waited too long myself. what I mean is that now I'm getting restless. In the next few years I'm not necesarily going to be in CR as much. And if I'm not mistaken, you have to spend a certain amount of time per year in country to get and maintain your residency. I'm at peace with it if it happens. Was talking with a friend this morning and just batting around some ideas in case they do crack down.

perhaps Paul would have also included this part of the "rest of the story"

"Mario Zamora Cordero is the minister of Seguridad Pública and former director de Dirección General de Migración y Extranjeria. He affirmed that a 90-day stay in the country is not guaranteed. The maximum is 90 days, he said. Agents are trying to close the doors on the type of pseudo-residency many perpetual tourists hold, he said, adding that, for whatever reason expats are living in Costa Rica, whether because of an investment in a business or for work, there is a legal immigration status that exists for them."

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

VB,

Have no personal experience with these folks (they are a brother and sister) but you might want to check them out.

http://www.residencyincostarica.com/

On the Yahoo discussion group "Costa Rica Living" they have been frequently recommended by those who have used their service. They seem to have very satisfied clients. I do not recall ever seeing anything negative posted about them.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Just curious Srilm. How long is your stay this trip? And did they ask you for your return ticket? Just wondering because I have heard them doing this if you don't have plans to stay 90 days.

Interesting, the plot thickens. Will just have to see, but am starting to have a back up plan in mind. Thanks for the info.

Just like every other bureaucratic policy, it's completely arbitrary and subjective. It depends entirely on the immigration employees mood that day and whether it's that time of the month for the females. There doesn't seem to be any standard or burden of proof. But it's pretty much the same way in the US. The CBP employee can ask you a million questions and even take you to secondary if he chooses. Or he can say welcome to the US and wave you through. It depends on their mood.

You are a pisser!

I still stand by what could have "set" this particular Agent off was the over stay issue - and while I referenced being a little pregnant in a previous post, Costa Rica needs to decide if they are going to allow perpetual tourism - b/c now what looks like is happening is a sorta - and thats no way to run a country - but it is "muy tico"

My last two visits I got 30 day stamps. It was a fresh passport, so it was not because he saw a ton of previous CR stamps. It's pretty obvious the CR government has made some policy changes. The fact that they are auditing passports and screening passengers before they board their flights is a good sign of that. In fact they kicked one guy off my flight because he didn't have a minimum of 90 days left on his passport.

For the record though, I've never been required to show proof of my return ticket. Usually it's just a how long and what's the purpose of your visit.

Everytime they have asked me and I've said 90 days and had no problem. In the past I always said it would pass, but I have to say it has a different feel to it this time. Although, one of my best friend goes every 90 days and just came back last week. No problem..