No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica won't penalize those who overstay visas due to COVID-19

Costa Rica won’t penalize those who overstay visas due to COVID-19

Costa Rica’s Immigration Administration will provide foreigners with extra flexibility as countries restrict travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency will not enforce penalties for people who have an irregular immigration status, it announced on social media. That means tourists and others who overstay their visas will not be fined when they next try to exit Costa Rica.

Previously, the Immigration Administration planned on issuing fines and re-entry restrictions to anyone who overstayed their visa.

“In response to this crisis, the institution has reconsidered this action, given that there are currently entry and exit restrictions for foreigners,” the Immigration Administration said in its statement.

The decree formalizing the suspension of penalties is expected to be published in the coming days.

“The Immigration Administration will continue to control the entry, stay and exit of foreign people from the country through the strengthening of immigration control at all border posts and the protection of the cordons of both borders,” the agency said.

As previously announced, foreigners who entered Costa Rica on a tourist visa after December 17, 2019, can legally remain in Costa Rica until May 17, 2020 without lapsing into an irregular immigration status.

Costa Rica is denying entry to foreigners and non-residents until at least May 1 in response to the coronavirus crisis. While Costa Rica is not preventing anyone from leaving the country, it has highly discouraged non-essential international travel.

Non-citizen residents who exit Costa Rica during the ongoing State of Emergency will not be allowed to return to the country until further notice, and anyone caught entering Costa Rica illegally will have his or her migratory status revoked.

We’ll publish an updated story when this is made official. 

Trending Now

Bahía Papagayo Project Clears Hurdle as Court Rejects Environmental Appeal

A $925 million tourism development in Guanacaste is pushing forward after Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court dismissed an appeal challenging its environmental approval. The Bahía...

Costa Rica’s 2025 Flamingo Fishing Rodeo Highlights Sport and Conservation

With great fishing and a renewed focus on family fun, the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo presented by Marina Flamingo is set to take center stage in the world...

Panama Arrests Banana Union Leader After Chiquita Strike Ends

Panamanian authorities arrested Francisco Smith, leader of the banana workers’ union SITRAIBANA, accusing him of orchestrating road blockades during a six-week strike against Chiquita...

Costa Rica’s Massive Drug Raid Targets Cocaine Network to Europe

Costa Rican authorities struck a major blow against international drug trafficking dismantling a criminal network that smuggled over five tons of cocaine to Europe....

U.S. Warns Americans to Avoid Nicaragua Amid Authoritarian Risks

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans to skip travel to Nicaragua due to increasing authoritarianism that puts tourists at risk. The Level...

Costa Rica Tourism Slips Again in May 2025: U.S. and European Visitors Drop

Tourist arrivals to Costa Rica took another hit in May 2025, raising red flags for the country’s vital tourism industry. Data from the Costa...
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