Residency card photo appointments canceled until 2023

IMPACT – HIGH

The Costa Rican government has canceled residency card (DIMEX) photo appointments until January 2023.

Key Points:

• Between now and Dec. 31, foreign nationals will not be able to schedule DIMEX photo appointments for initial or renewal DIMEX applications.
• Costa Rican authorities plan to resume DIMEX photo appointments on Jan. 2, 2023.
• Costa Rican authorities have automatically canceled appointments for individuals who had scheduled them on or after Oct. 6.
• Foreign nationals who hold a photo appointment requested receipt will not be penalized for not scheduling a DIMEX photo appointment and can remain in Costa Rica.

Additional Information: Currently, there are 82,000 foreign nationals in Costa Rica who have not renewed their residency card and an additional 15,000, whose applications are pending, all of which are affected by the DIMEX appointment cancelation.

BAL Analysis: Normally, foreign nationals have 90 days to secure a photo appointment from the day they receive an approval resolution; however, in light of the government’s cancelation of appointments, foreign nationals who hold photo appointment receipts can stay in Costa Rica without scheduling an appointment. Those who need to schedule a DIMEX photo appointment should do so as soon as possible once appointments are made available to minimize possible delays or complications. BAL will continue to monitor the availability of DIMEX photo appointments and provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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