Costa Rica is without a doubt one of the most attractive destinations for expats, retirees and even companies to relocate. The stability, the beauty of its nature, its people, the business opportunities, its strategic location, the qualified labor and many other reasons make Costa Rica one of the safest bets to get away from the developed world without sacrificing convenience, however, the dynamic phenomenon created by thousands citizens of many different cultures has altered Costa Rican society dramatically, the newcomers and the Costa Ricans created a new society which is in need to be better regulated, which is why our government is moved by this situation and as a response is currently considering making changes to the actual Costa Rica Immigration Law. Members of the Congress are considering the following changes:
There might be a conflict between some Costa Rica Immigration rules and Constitutional rights such as transit freedom, identification documents, the right to work and intimacy, which is why, a bill is now been promoted, a law based on the principle of equality in article 33 of our National Constitution (foreigners and nationals have the same rights except those specifically excluded by the Costa Rican Constitution.
Immigrants deserve a right to a due process which guarantees them access to justice, the right to defend themselves, especially in matters of deportation, expulsion or cancellation of their Costa Rica migratory status. Currently foreigners are protected by law and receive a due process, but the new Costa Rica Immigration Law would clarify certain details.
If changing the actual Costa Rica Immigration system, Costa Rican Immigration would become a real national development factor.
Internal regulations have to be adapted within commitments made in international treaties and conventions signed and ratified by Costa Rica, especially those related to human rights.
Due to the motives previously exposed, the bill called “General Law on Immigration”, intends the following:
To be an instrument to fight corruption, with simpler procedures and functional management, in order to facilitate the control, flexibility and agility of procedures.
To establish a new model of Costa Rica Immigration to legalize the process of integration of Immigrants into the social security contribution system and participation in social work in the communities.
To define the crime of human trafficking and the special protection of victims.
The strengthening of the Costa Rican Immigration Police who will be a support unit.
To create the Visa Committee, based on a collegial decision.
To protect the guarantees and rights of the Immigrant population in labor issues, as well as creating a working immigration status. Create an Immigration tax to generate resources for social services that are affected by foreigners.
GLC believes that the changes mentioned above are necessary, however we do not believe that increasing the required amounts to qualify as a costa rica resident are the solution, Costa Rica is still a developing country, there are many areas of the country that require significant investment and enhancement of opportunities, if the new Immigration Law can focus on making sure that the newcomer has a clean police record, that has a guaranteed income and/or specialized qualifications that will not affect Costa Rican workers, that should be enough to enter the Costa Rica.
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