No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCountry: Not Ready To Open Borders

Country: Not Ready To Open Borders

FOR the time being, Costa Rica hasno plans to join a Central American agreementto simplify and reduce immigrationrequirements, the daily La Repúblicareported.Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras andNicaragua last week agreed to eliminatevisa requirements for citizens from 84 differentcountries, with the goal of attractingforeign investors and increasingtourism in the region.Costa Rican officials say the country’sreality – the constant arrival ofNicaraguan immigrants and, more recently,Colombians – makes it difficult for itto join this type of agreement.Costa Rican places countries in fourimmigration categories. The first category,which includes Canada, the United States,the European Union and Panama, does notrequire visas. Citizens from those countriesare allowed to stay in the country forup to 90 days.The second category, which includesall Central American countries exceptNicaragua, does not require visas. Thesecitizens are allowed to stay in the countryfor up to 30 days.The third category, which includesNicaragua, Colombia, DominicanRepublic and Egypt, requires a visa. Thefourth category is for residents of countriesconsidered “obstacles to nationalsecurity.” Decisions in this category,which includes most Arab nations, aremade on a case-by-case basis.According to Marco Badilla, directorof Immigration, visa requirements havehelped reduce the flow of Colombianimmigrants by 40% and Nicaraguanimmigrants by 6%.

Trending Now

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of "treason against the homeland," his family denounced...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...

U.S. – Guatemala Security Pact Targets Crime and Helps Returning Migrants

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem signed a border security cooperation agreement with Guatemala on Thursday, which includes the use of drones and...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched...

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica