{"id":37849,"date":"2025-07-10T00:00:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T06:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/?p=37849"},"modified":"2025-09-05T09:09:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:09:40","slug":"costa-rica-updates-guidelines-on-identification-documents-for-foreign-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/costa-rica-updates-guidelines-on-identification-documents-for-foreign-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Costa Rica updates guidelines on identification documents for foreign nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Costa Rica\u2019s 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The circular clarifies which documents are recognized as valid for carrying out procedures before banks, ministries, autonomous institutions, and other entities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recognized immigration categories<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The circular outlines four current immigration categories in Costa Rica:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Permanent Resident<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Authorized to stay in the country indefinitely.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Temporary Resident<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Authorized to stay for a defined, renewable period.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Special Category<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Applies to specific cases detailed in Article 94 of the General Immigration Law.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Non-Resident<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Authorized to stay in the country without the intention of establishing residency, under specific regulatory conditions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Authorized identification documents<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The DGME states that foreign nationals must carry one of the following documents, depending on their immigration category:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">DIMEX (Immigration Identity Document for Foreign Nationals)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SITLAM Cards (Labor Migration Traceability System)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Issued to agricultural sector workers, including specific cards for Nicaraguan nationals and Panamanian nationals of the Ng\u00e4be-Bugl\u00e9 ethnic group, as well as their dependents.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Temporary Agricultural Worker Card (CET)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Granted under Executive Decree No. 42406-MAG-MGP. Upon first renewal, holders receive a DIMEX.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Documents issued by the Refugee Unit<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Includes ID cards for asylum seekers, provisional work permits, stateless applicants, and individuals under complementary protection.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"text-align: left;\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Provisional work permit cards for asylum seekers<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Those issued prior to the publication of this circular remain valid until their expiration date or until the asylum process is resolved.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Costa Rica\u2019s General Directorate of Immigration and Foreign Affairs (DGME)&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":42611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37849"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37849\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42610,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37849\/revisions\/42610"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciabodan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}