A significant number of ex-pats have lived in Costa Rica for many years. But for various reasons, they have put off getting their residency. Others have just arrived or will be very soon. For some, here is the big, save-a-buck question:

Can I apply for Costa Rica Residency on my own?

The short answer is yes. But likely not a very good idea. It is similar to filling out your tax returns. Most people get an accounting firm to handle that as a means to:
• Obtain the expertise of someone knowledgeable on the excruciating rules, procedures, finicky paperwork, and comfortable with the applicable terminology.
• Be sure of optimal outcomes. (I.E., maximum deductions, refunds, and assurance of law compliance.)

You’re not in Kansas anymore.

If you think government bureaucracy in your originating country is infuriating, you will soon learn that Costa Rica government procedures and staff are even more difficult (Like 100x more difficult). Government departments are typically underfunded and are tightly controlled by onerous unions that make it near impossible to fire a non-performing worker. Also, while some staff are quite agreeable, a lot have a propensity to take all differences of opinion personal. Negotiation is a rarely encountered artform in Costa Rica and nearly non-existent in government bureaucracies and banks.

What’s the most challenging aspect?

It isn’t so much about figuring out which documents you will need, or how and where to get them. Depending on your birthplace and current address, that ranges from moderately tricky for most, to near impossible for a few. There is plenty of posted information about that on various websites. (Good luck determining the correct info from the erroneous despite soothing words of assurance from the authors.) But the main issue is that everything here in Costa Rica is done in Spanish. Shockingly, that surprises some newbies although were not really sure why.

English is not an official second language here.

All paperwork on this end, such as application forms are all in Spanish. All submitted documents from originating countries must be officially translated by a CR government registered (approved) translator. It is stunning how some ex-pats will step up to a counter here to a Tico staffer on the other side and expect them to speak English and, or to explain in English what the form on the counter says. While many staffers here are somewhat bilingual, it rarely extends to them feeling obligated to offer translation services. You will meet with very indignant resistance to such unrealistic expectations.

Suffice to say, that if your Español is not up to par, (or non-existent), you are ill-advised to handle any official paperwork. Translation software is pretty much useless as well. Getting a well-intended native Tico to help can yield plenty of errors. Few of the general public here are well versed in government-speak. Same as back home. Official Tico translators also make mistakes. By the time you find out you picked the wrong one, it’s too late for a do-over.

Expediting your way-overdue approval.

Let’s say you are an above-average disseminator of voluminous instructions, and you successfully submitted your residency application. (And hopefully in person and not through the Immigration mailroom.) After 12 to 18 months, you finally get a communication from Immigration stating that they need correction or clarification to something you submitted or that they have misplaced a document. They can give you as little as ten days to do so. In-person. In San José. Some requested documents can easily take more than 30 days to acquire. Only a seasoned expert knows how to get through this problem. That is just one of many issues that can emerge in the process. Such problems have become more frequent in the last two years with government austerity cutbacks to staff. Anyone going in alone for a first attempt stands little chance of successful outcomes in such cases. You’ll need a thick towel to absorb your tears of frustration.

But wait, there’s more.

Once you are approved, you will have 90 days to comply with the approval conditions. More government fees and then, sign up for CAJA. (C.R. Universal Healthcare.) Whoa to you who venture into one of those mavens of charitable good cheer with English only. Once that is completed and severely scrutinized, there’s a final step. The dreaded Correos de Costa Rica. (Post Office). You will need an appointment, and it needs to be at a precise location. Once done that final step of getting your photo taken for the residency card, hopefully, that card will arrive at the same Post Office within 30 days. You will have 30 days to pick it up in person with I.D. Failure to do so, results in the card being returned to the Department of Immigration in San José. If the card does not arrive to the Post Office in 30 days, you may find yourself in the middle of a ping-pong match between the Post Office and the Department of Immigration in San José where you will ultimately be forced to go to resolve the problem.

A better idea.

There are some very savvy folks out there who have been successful in obtaining their residency cards unassisted — pat on the back for their smarts and initiative. But things have changed a lot in the past 2 years with staff cutbacks and a spike in refugee claimants from Nicaragua and Venezuela. The current odds of success through a solo effort have diminished significantly. Also, the risk of failure vs. the perceived savings in attorney fees is not worth it.

The better idea for 98% of you reading this article is to obtain the help of a trusted professional whose legal practice focusses on residency alone. Referrals from trusted friends and neighbors or social groups are an ideal start. Check over residency service provider websites. (If they don’t have one, move on immediately!) Ask if the attorney you will be sending your fees to will personally be handling your paperwork and submission. Ask for proof that they do. (As opposed to delegating to staffers and messengers.) Read over any testimonials carefully to vet the claims made. Then make contact with those that appeal to you and note the responses carefully. That will tell you a lot. That needs to be followed by a personal conversation either in person or on the phone, and email follow-up. By that time, you should have an accurate feel for whom you are dealing with before committing with your hard-earned money.

The Costa Rica Star would like to thank Residency and citizenship expert Laura B. Gutiérrez from Immigration Help CR for her input to our staff writers.

If your in need of immigration assistance Laura can be reached by clicking here, toll free at 1-833-733-6337 or by sending a email to [email protected].