Immigrants in Costa Rica Face Delays for Residence Card Issuance

The immigration system in Costa Rica is under more strain than ever before, with foreign nationals facing terrible delays before they are issued DIMEX residence cards. As processing times have extended to three months or more, instead of the usual 30 days, the immigrants remain in limbo without being able to move about in other countries, open bank accounts, and receive government services.  

The 38,000 pending applications have created a crisis, and officials hope to decrease the figure by 50 per cent before the year 2025, though the time frame of the solution is not certain. As Costa Rica immigrants face delays for residence card issuance, it’s crucial to understand how these processing challenges compare with immigration timelines in other countries. For example, TerraTern’s comprehensive guide on Germany work visa timelines offers insights into differences in residence permit issuance and how to better manage expectations.

Costa Rica DIMEX Delays Worsen Across All Residence Categories

The immigration officials of Costa Rica attested that the foreigners in the country are being hampered by the time in getting their Resident Identity cards, commonly referred to as DIMEX, in which the process has taken extremely longer durations than what is expected. The delays of the Costa Rica DIMEX apply to the new applications as well as those who need to renew their current cards.

The present processing durations have hit two months or above in the Short-Term Visa, and the Temporary Residence, Permanent Residence, and Special Category Visa holders are experiencing three months or more wait time since their appointment to the DIMEX office. These timeframes are a serious deviation from the common 30-day issuance that applicants had customarily been subjected to.

The delays are a result of an unprecedented increase in applications as well as administrative difficulties at the General Immigration Directorate. In 2020-25, applications by U.S. citizens increased 34 per cent in Costa Rica, and almost 70,000 Americans currently live in the host country. This influx has posed a significant demand on the processing capacity, especially at the San Jose office, whereby it is now necessary to book an appointment 3-4 weeks in advance.

Also Read: US Issues Over 1 Million Non-Immigrant Visas to Indians

Record Backlog Creates Processing Nightmare

The General Immigration Directorate has a workload of 38,000 pending legal residency cases, and this figure has compelled the authorities to initiate a program to eliminate half of these cases by the year 2025. This backlog is one of the worst administrative issues in the recent immigration of Costa Rica.

On another initiative by September 1, 2025, the immigration authorities started to address applications of different categories at a higher speed and assist immigration officers with overtime. Nevertheless, the plan has already been facing challenges in the form of a successful legal challenge to dubious elements of their plan. Plans to reduce similar backlogs in late spring 2024 that had been attempted before had their issues with implementation, so optimism about the current project is guarded.

Legal Status Maintained Despite Missing Physical Cards

Although Costa Rica's DIMEX delays pose a viable challenge, the government has implemented the measures that will enable immigrants to retain their legal status. The foreigners who have already made or attended their DIMEX application appointment with the General Immigration Directorate are allowed to remain legally in Costa Rica without a valid physical card.

This clause will help the immigrants not to lose their status of residence during the backlog period. Applicants have the legal permission to have an indefinite period of stay in Costa Rica beyond the usual 180 days of the tourist visa, they can have a foreign driving license, they can own property, and do banking.

To stay informed on current immigration challenges and updates similar to Costa Rica’s DIMEX delays, explore TerraTern’s latest immigration news page, which features timely articles on visa policy changes, processing delays, and helpful resources to guide your immigration journey.

Also Read: Immigration Groups Prepare for Potential Second Trump Administration

Appointment Scheduling Adds to Processing Woes

Other than the delays in issuing the cards, immigrants are also challenged to find preliminary appointments with the General Immigration Directorate. The wait times for the appointment of some of the residence categories have grown to more than two and a half months, as opposed to the normal one to two weeks.

The delays that the appointment creates affect especially foreign nationals who seek initial temporary residence under the accredited company category, because such an application is to be scheduled with an appointment. This has compelled employers and foreign workers to consider the long delays in work start dates as a factor in the business operations and employment planning.

Limited Options for Expedited Processing

The affected immigrants do not have many options in expediting Costa Rica's DIMEX delays. Expedited requests for issuing are admitted in the General Immigration Directorate, but with very narrow exceptions and usually applicable to special cases.

The circumstances that qualify for expedited processing include a medical emergency in which the treatment or travels are time-related, and a critical business trip where a delay would result in the loss of enormous money by companies or individuals. The legal advisors of the foreign nationals are advised by the immigration professionals to seek the advice of their lawyers to establish whether their case qualifies as an expedited request.

Also Read: Trump's Re-election Signals Potential Overhaul of H-1B Visa Program

Financial Penalties for Renewal Delays

When the DIMEX cards of immigrants run out in the backlog, there are further concerns about penalties for renewing the cards. The Costa Rica immigration legislation stipulates that immigrants need to get the renewal process done three months before the expiry date. A penalty of 3.00 USD is imposed per month if the renewal is late.

System Improvements Show Mixed Results

The most recent regulatory changes that were introduced in June 2024 have put the immigration processing in a paradoxical situation. Although the entire applications are presently processed in the system more effectively, the number of incomplete applications being rejected has risen significantly.

According to the new rules, applicants who are rejected should submit their application in full instead of revising it, and this essentially puts the applicants affected by this back on the schedule. These more rigorous documentation requirements seem to be being imposed by the immigration officials to clear the backlog of cases that are pending before the General Immigration Directorate.

The Costa Rica DIMEX delays also vary depending on the type of investment and the profile of the applicants. Simple real estate investments that have clear title documentation are usually done in a shorter time compared to complex business investments that need an economic impact assessment. The applicants of the countries that have established diplomatic relationships with Costa Rica might enjoy a bit quicker processing speed, whereas those that should undergo the due diligence may have to wait longer.

Also Read: US Visa Rejection Reasons That You Should Know About

Conclusion

Costa Rica DIMEX delays continue to create significant challenges for thousands of foreign nationals seeking to establish or maintain their residency in the country. While the government has taken steps to ensure immigrants don't lose their legal status during processing delays, the practical restrictions on travel, banking, and government services create real hardships for affected individuals and families. With processing times doubling or tripling from normal periods and a backlog of 38,000 applications, the resolution of these delays remains uncertain despite ambitious government targets. Immigrants are advised to schedule appointments as early as possible, maintain comprehensive documentation of their legal status, and consult with immigration professionals to navigate this challenging period.​ For official updates and application procedures, visit the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration (DGME) website. To know more about Costa Rica immigration, visit TerraTern now!