The General Directorate of Migration and Immigration (DGME) of Costa Rica, announced this Thursday that migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela, who have refugee applications pending resolution, or denied in that Central American country, may opt for a Special Category Temporary.
According to the immigration authority, this provision becomes effective as of this March 1st, so that people who are approved for this category will be able to carry out any work activity in that nation, “as well as leave the country at the moment they so requires it.”
In a statement, the DGME explained that those interested in applying for this category should request an appointment at number 1311 and through the institution’s website. “These appointments will be assigned from April 15 onwards in the place where the DGME defines for their attention and that will be communicated in a timely manner.
In order to apply, the authority clarifies that a series of requirements must first be met, such as having made an application for refugee recognition after January 1, 2010 and until September 30, 2022, having resided in the national territory from the moment the refugee application was made and up to the date on which the application for the special category is submitted, that the refugee application is pending or has been firmly denied on the date of entry of the Decree and that does not have any other approved category of stay in the country.
“In addition, they must meet the established requirements such as: affiliation form, legalized or apostilled birth certificate, legalized or apostilled criminal record certification, photocopy of the first page of the passport or identity card from their country of origin and proof fingerprints,” the statement added.
Finally, the DGME warned that, in order to protect national security, it will carry out a review of criminal and police records, and the granting of the category will be subject to this review, through national and international databases, ” In addition, if necessary, biometric reviews will be carried out”.
