www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Last Friday's Tico Times had an article about the upcoming changes in the immigration laws here in Costa Rica. It seems that those of us who live here,and have chosen not to go through the tedious task of obtaining Residency, will have to rethink our position. The most serious problem seems to be the enforcement of a law which is already on the books. That law states that in addition to the requirement of having to leave the Country for 72 hours after each 90 day stay,no can stay here for more than 6 months out of the year without residency. If residency is accomplished before August,at least the more lenient requirements apply. Anyone have any imput here.

VB,
How difficult is it to obtain your "residency" status? And, if you already live there, what are the benefits of NOT having residency? What does CR require, in order to grant you residency (besides the $60,000 in the bank, or a guaranteed $xxx amount of income per month)?

Are they, in some aspect, biting a small part of the hand that feeds them?

I'd be interested to know why they're doing this....

Here's the link: http://www.ticotimes.net/weekend.htm#featured_columnist

Keep us posted.
Mikey-B.

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I think it is important to note two things concerning that article:

1. It was written by an attorney, who in my opinion, seems to have more interest in attracting potential clients than providing factual information.

2. The piece is loaded with conjecture. The people I have spoken to, concerning the changes. say it is impossible to predict what will happen until the new President is chosen. It is possible a new administration will scrap the whole thing and start anew.



As you correctly point out this is an existing provision in the law but is not generally enforced. There is no way to predict if that enforcement policy will change.



This was another attempt to panic people and solicit business. When I applied for residency I was advised that as soon as filed my paperwork with Immigration I was "grandfathered" in to the existing requirements. In fact I no longer had to leave the country every 90 days even though I was not yet approved for residency. It is my understanding that you can file anytime prior to the new law taking effect and come under the previous rules.



I hear this a lot and quite frankly do not understand where it comes from. What is tedious about the process? I assembled my documents, birth certificate, police background check and proof of retirement income. Got the required passport type photos, got finger printed by the OIJ, got my entire passport photo copied. Submitted them in mid November 2003. Was approved for residency in the first week of February 2004. Less than 3 months total and remember for at least 2 weeks in December the government of Costa Rica shuts down.

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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 wish I had the problem.

Ding Dong...Well all that does seem tedious to guys like VB and me...but I agree with you that the article was slanted and thank you for doing a good job of pointing out just how.

Would like to hear what you guys consider "tedious"

Are you looking for a country thats says, Hi...thanks for wanting to become a resident...Can you breath?...Great...Pick up your residency at window 1 or if that is to much trouble we can deliver it, what time would be convenient for you, Sahib?

I know that it is tongue and cheek but really what do you consider tedious about the CR procedure?

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

Ding Dong...So are you recommending that guys like me,who would rather just stay the way we are,to wait to see what happens after the elections. If so,then I have to be sure that I am grandfathered once I begin the process so as to obtain the more lenient rules.You are the only person that I have heard from that has said that the process is easy. Other friends,and my brother, have told me that the collection of paper work in the States is difficult.Then the dealing with the authorities in the States and here in CR can lead one to tear his hair out. (and I don't have enough left to waste). Burocracies aren't my forte. I am also told that competent attornies (a necessary evil here) charge around $2500 to assist.

Possibly one day this won't be a bluff, but to tell you the truth, this talk pops up about every 2-3 years. It used to scare me to death 6 years ago, but even back then, I knew people who had been hearing it much longer. Like I say, could happen one day, but wouldn't go making a lot of plans based on it.

VB,
Can not say why the paperwork process was so complicated for others you have talked to can only relate my experience.

"Grand-farthing" is, I have been told, a very cherished tradition in CR and almost every law adheres to a grand-farther clause.

I agree that competent legal counsel is a must however I think the $2500.00 fee is exorbitant. I payed $750.00 and know the ARCR charges about the same.

I am not sure which more lenient rules you are referring to. Abagado Lang in his article makes reference that the new law makes the pensionado category temporary whereas today it is permanent. That is totally inaccurate. Initial pensionado residency is for 2 years then must be renewed. After 5 years you can apply for permanent residency. The new law allows a pensionado to apply for permanent residency after 3 years. That makes the new law more lenient.

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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

This process is different from day to day...both in the govt immigration offices....and depending which atty you use. Ding dong obviously lucked out...but most people do not find the process enjoyable...even through the ARCR. I also agree with whoever stated that this wont be clarified until the next administration. A friend of mine met with ARias who will PROBABLY be the next Pres. When asked about this he said he would focus on productive free trade and tax collecting on the system that already exists...NOT trying to make immigration more difficult for gringos.

VB...I think you should be more concerned about being kicked out of the casinos for taking too much of their $$$

As many of you know...my answer is...move to Panama ...

What about the hundreds of girls who come here(CR) from other countries to make a living?

Thanks to all (especially to our ever-informed member Ding Dong) for all your input. I think this is just the usual CR scare tactics. I have decided to at least wait until the elections are over in February,before doing anything about residency. A good friend of mine has been here for 12 years.He has a friend who is a higher-up in the immigration dept.who told him that the problem would probably go away after the elections. To TMan...I'm not sure what you are talking about with the casinos.You KNOW that no one wins! Also to TMan...now that we have decided that this residency is just more bullshit from an Abogado trying to drum up business,I won't be moving to Panama.

Wheaty they pay some Tico $400.00 to marry them and then they have their residency taken care of.
Sparky

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Sparky
Get in line to ride the lightning!!!


Almost legally single again! Voy a Colombia otra vece!!

VB...I truly understand. Oh yea...I forgot about how much you are LOSING in the San Jose casinos. I just dont know how you keep up with that expensive rent .

Also, dont come to Panama...the girls there are busy enough...leaving more for the rest of us.