No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveU.S. State Department Opens Visa Lottery

U.S. State Department Opens Visa Lottery

LAST week the U.S. State Department opened its annual visa lottery, officially known as the Diversity Visa Program, offering foreigners the opportunity to win a permanent resident visa to the United States. Applications will be accepted through noon on Dec. 4.Through the program, 50,000 permanent resident visas are awarded to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.Interested Costa Ricans must fill out the application form available at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Applicants are chosen by a computer-generated random lottery drawing. The visas are awarded among six geographic regions, with a greater number of visas going to regions with lower rates of immigration. More information is available at www.usembassy.or.cr.

Trending Now

Is Costa Rica Losing Its Tourism Edge in Central America?

Imagine that the seven nations of Central America are participants in a race. The race has no finish line. Instead it's an ongoing competition...

Costa Rica Looks to Ukraine for Drone Technology in Security Fight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Costa Rican President Laura Fernández exchanged invitations for official visits during a phone call yesterday, as the two leaders...

Costa Rica Runs Its National Evacuation Drill Wednesday

Costa Rica holds its eighth national evacuation drill Wednesday at 10 a.m. Here's what happens, how to take part, and what to prepare first.

Cincinnati Open Opens This Weekend With Practices, Fan Events and New Attractions

The Cincinnati Open begins welcoming fans August 8 with open player practices, autograph sessions, Red Bull BassLine and a new 5K before competitive tennis begins.

What You Actually Owe at Costa Rica’s Land Borders

Costa Rica charges one land exit fee — $8 per person. Here's how to pay it online, what a legitimate receipt looks like, and what to do if asked for more.

Where You Can Fly Nonstop to Costa Rica This High Season

Fourteen new or expanded nonstop routes reach Costa Rica between October and March, including Breeze Airways' debut and the first-ever direct flights from Poland. One heavily promoted route was cancelled before it ever flew. Full list with dates and days.

Is Panama the New Costa Rica? A 2026 Expat & Real Estate Investor Comparison

For decades, Costa Rica was the undisputed poster child of Central American expat life. However, a quiet reshuffling of priorities is underway, and a...

Costa Rica Investigates Fernández and Chaves Over Police Director Appointment

Costa Rica’s Attorney General’s Office has opened a criminal investigation involving President Laura Fernández and Finance Minister Rodrigo Chaves over the appointment of the...

Pesticide Runoff Is Quietly Draining Costa Rica’s Caribbean Tourism Economy

Decades of banana and pineapple chemistry have left a documented trail through Limón's rivers. The cost lands on the reefs, fisheries and certifications the Caribbean coast needs to compete.
Avatar
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel