On 2 June 2004, the Research Directorate sent correspondence to the Embassy of Costa Rica asking the following questions:

1) What are the necessary conditions that must be met in order to obtain a permanent residence permit in Costa Rica?

2) Would it be possible to send copies of the forms that need to be filled out in order to obtain this permit?

3) If a person has a Costa Rican social insurance card, is he or she entitled to all social programs? What are the differences between a cardholder who is a citizen, a permanent resident, a temporary resident, and a non-resident?

The Embassy of Costa Rica replied to these questions in the attached document, which it sent to the Research Directorate on 7 June 2004. Please note that the answer numbers correspond to the question numbers above.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Embassy of Costa Rica in Ottawa. 7 June 2004. Correspondence sent by the Consul General.