Costa Rica’s General Directorate of Immigration and Foreign Affairs (DGME) has issued Circular DG-012-05-2025 to update the official information regarding valid identification documents for foreign nationals, based on their immigration status.
According to the DGME, the update aims to strengthen legal certainty for both foreign nationals and the public and private institutions that provide services in the country. The circular clarifies which documents are recognized as valid for carrying out procedures before banks, ministries, autonomous institutions, and other entities.
Recognized immigration categories
The circular outlines four current immigration categories in Costa Rica:
- Permanent Resident: Authorized to stay in the country indefinitely.
- Temporary Resident: Authorized to stay for a defined, renewable period.
- Special Category: Applies to specific cases detailed in Article 94 of the General Immigration Law.
- Non-Resident: Authorized to stay in the country without the intention of establishing residency, under specific regulatory conditions.
Authorized identification documents
The DGME states that foreign nationals must carry one of the following documents, depending on their immigration category:
- DIMEX (Immigration Identity Document for Foreign Nationals): Issued to permanent residents, temporary residents, individuals under special categories, and non-residents. The document indicates whether the individual is authorized to work, study, or remain in the country without engaging in paid activity.
- SITLAM Cards (Labor Migration Traceability System): Issued to agricultural sector workers, including specific cards for Nicaraguan nationals and Panamanian nationals of the Ngäbe-Buglé ethnic group, as well as their dependents.
- Temporary Agricultural Worker Card (CET): Granted under Executive Decree No. 42406-MAG-MGP. Upon first renewal, holders receive a DIMEX.
- Documents issued by the Refugee Unit: Includes ID cards for asylum seekers, provisional work permits, stateless applicants, and individuals under complementary protection.
- Provisional work permit cards for asylum seekers: Those issued prior to the publication of this circular remain valid until their expiration date or until the asylum process is resolved.
