Can Foreigners Work in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has become a haven for many people that desire to live outside of their own country and enjoy a quieter and slower life style. Not everyone who moves to Costa Rica is independently wealthy. A large number of those that relocate to here must look for some way to support themselves. So the question gets asked in typical Jerry Seinfeld tradition: "what is the deal with living and working in Costa Rica?"
There are some changes going on in laws pertaining to residency here in Costa Rica. These laws are directed at keeping those not worthy from working here. They in no way affect visitors and tourists to the country, as these are welcomed with open arms by Costa Rica.
A new law was approved last November that will now penalize the companies that employ illegal immigrants. This will be felt by a large number of expatriots that are living and working here. This is largely due to the fact that it has been relatively easy to do so up until now without getting the official documents necessary to do so legally.
What a bunch of those that live here have done, some for years, is to take advantage of a provision in the law that allows for leaving the country for 72 hours, then re-entering Costa Rica for another 3 months. That this practice is common is well illustrated by a recent experience I had when crossing over into Panama for a visit. There are a number of young men that help with the various tasks involved with getting oneself and a car across the border. They all mention that we, being gringos, are likely going to Panama for 3 days to renew our passports. They see it everyday. This is called "perpetual tourism". The government frowns on this, but has found it difficult to regulate it.
This new law, which is really just a strengthening of exisiting laws, gives the governmental agencies the ability to raid businesses and review documents, both of workers, and also of the payrolls.
So, I think that we'll be seeing a mad dash for the Immigration Office. Getting residency is not for the faint-of-heart.
There are some changes going on in laws pertaining to residency here in Costa Rica. These laws are directed at keeping those not worthy from working here. They in no way affect visitors and tourists to the country, as these are welcomed with open arms by Costa Rica.
A new law was approved last November that will now penalize the companies that employ illegal immigrants. This will be felt by a large number of expatriots that are living and working here. This is largely due to the fact that it has been relatively easy to do so up until now without getting the official documents necessary to do so legally.
What a bunch of those that live here have done, some for years, is to take advantage of a provision in the law that allows for leaving the country for 72 hours, then re-entering Costa Rica for another 3 months. That this practice is common is well illustrated by a recent experience I had when crossing over into Panama for a visit. There are a number of young men that help with the various tasks involved with getting oneself and a car across the border. They all mention that we, being gringos, are likely going to Panama for 3 days to renew our passports. They see it everyday. This is called "perpetual tourism". The government frowns on this, but has found it difficult to regulate it.
This new law, which is really just a strengthening of exisiting laws, gives the governmental agencies the ability to raid businesses and review documents, both of workers, and also of the payrolls.
So, I think that we'll be seeing a mad dash for the Immigration Office. Getting residency is not for the faint-of-heart.
posted by Ben at 4:39 AM
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