6 April 2009

 

CRI103129.FE

 

Costa Rica: Procedure for regaining permanent resident status in Costa Rica after losing this status following an extended stay abroad

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

 

Article 123(f) of the Law on Immigration and the Status of Foreigners (Ley de Migración y Extranjería), which came into effect on 12 August 2006, states that permanent residents lose their permanent resident status if they are absent from Costa Rica for more than 12 consecutive months (Costa Rica 22 Nov. 2005). Individuals who have been granted permission to be absent for reasons of health, education, or family responsibilities, and whose reasons have been duly verified, are exempt from this provision (ibid.).

 

A document published by the Immigration and Foreign Nationals Branch (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) reports that permanent residents who have lived outside the country for more than one year may renew their residence document by presenting, in writing, the reasons for their absence and a certificate confirming a criminal background check duly authenticated by the country where they were living (Costa Rica n.d.).

 

In order to renew permanent residence, foreign nationals must submit their expired permanent residence cards; pay the government the appropriate fees for the renewal, the cost of the document and any fines; and present a document indicating their current place of residence (ibid. n.d.).

 

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. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

 

References

 

Costa Rica. 22 November 2005. Ley N o 8497 - Ley de Migración y Extranjería. [Accessed 2 Apr. 2009]

 

_____. N.d. Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. “Renovación o Reposición Residencia Permanente por Vínculo.” [Accessed 2 Apr. 2009]

 

Additional Source Consulted

 

Oral source: The Consulate General of Costa Rica in Ottawa did not respond to a request for information within time constraints.