August 5, 2025
By: Merlin Delgado, Immigration Director, LATAM Hub and Argentina national office, Newland Chase
The Costa Rican General Directorate of Immigration and Foreign Affairs (DGME) has increasingly issued decisions of inadmissibility for immigration applications where either the sponsoring entity or the individual applicant has outstanding debts or unresolved obligations with the Costa Rican State. These decisions are final and currently cannot be appealed through legal channels.
When an application is deemed inadmissible, it is not considered formally submitted. The process must be restarted, including additional payment of associated DGME fees and re-submission of documentation. Applicants should be aware that certain documents and legal requirements must be reacquired or updated, such as:
- Valid entry stamp: The applicant must exit and re-enter Costa Rica to obtain valid tourist status before re-filing.
- Police clearance: A newly issued and apostilled certificate of no criminal record must be procured.
- Payment of applicable DGME government fees: All associated fees must be paid again.
Recommendations for applicants and sponsors
To avoid delays and financial impact, we advise applicants and sponsoring companies to verify compliance with the following obligations before submitting an immigration application:
- Tax compliance – Ensure all tax filings and payments are current through the Dirección General de Tributación (DGT).
- Social security compliance – Confirm there are no outstanding employer contributions to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
Verification can be completed online at the following resources:
For assistance assessing your organization’s compliance or support with the immigration process in Costa Rica, please contact your Newland Chase representative.
