Tourist Visa and Dimex ID automatically extended until 2021

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Since the security guidelines could delay the process of renewal of tourist visas or DIMEX identification documents,
the Directorate has issued an order to extend the expiration period for those documents.- A.M. Costa Rica illustrative photo -

Published Thursday, November 12, 2020

Tourist Visa and Dimex ID
automatically extended until 2021

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Due to health security measures implemented to avoid covid-19 contagion, some limitations have been caused to attend the public in the General Directorate of Migration facilities, authorities implemented an automatic extension of expiration dates for Tourist Visas and residents ID known as Dimex until 2021.

According to the Directorate, although the administrative offices continue to serve the public from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., access to the building remains restricted.

Few people can enter to carry out their procedures related to visas, or resident documents after a pre-control system that was established. The officials of the organization evaluate the type of procedure and authorize or deny if the person can enter the building.

Since the security guidelines could delay the process of renewal of tourist visas or DIMEX identification documents, the Directorate has issued an order to extend the expiration period for those documents.

According to the statement, the period of legal remains authorized for foreign people in the migratory category of Tourism Visa who entered the country between December 17, 2019, and even including November 30, 2020, is automatically extended until March 2, 2021.

• The validity of the legal permanence ID, known as Permanent Residence DIMEX or Temporary Residence DIMEX, will be automatically extended until January 11, 2021.

Once the automatic extension period established in the two previous points has expired, the foreign person will have a period of three months to carry out the renewal procedure, according to the ordinary procedure

• The Dimex ID for foreign persons authorized to stay in the country under the migratory category of Non-Resident, Stay Subcategory, was automatically extended until February 12, 2021.

After those extended periods, the DIMEX requests or renewals can be made at Banco de Costa Rica and Correos de Costa Rica. Inquiries about the delivery of DIMEX residences should be made by email dimex@migracion.go.cr or by calling the Directorate line numbers 1311 or (506) 2299-8100.

In addition, foreigners who have not homologated their driver's licenses are reminded the expiration period is Nov. 18.

Since October, the Road Safety Council, known as Cosevi, extended the expired driver licenses periods, as follows:

• Licenses expired from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, are valid until Nov. 30.

• Licenses expired from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, are valid until Dec. 31.

• Licenses expired beginning Dec. 1 to January 31, 2021, are valid until January 31, 2021.

Renewal requests of homologate foreigners driver licenses expired before August 1, 2020, must be requested on Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Council website.

In case the website is saturated, the renewal can also be requested by calling 9000-626356, also on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Council, the renewal can also be requested at any branch of the Banco de Costa Rica, by appointment which must be requested by calling 800-227-2482.

In the case of approval of driver's licenses for foreigners, the grace period for renewal of expired licenses is Nov. 18. That applies for drivers who, from December 17, 2019, are in the country as tourists, can drive using the license of their country until November 18, 2020. Drivers must have a valid passport and a valid home country driver's license.

After Nov. 18, the request for driver licenses for foreigners must be carried out only in the agencies of the Directorate of Road Education. Appointments are obtained on its website, or by calling 9000-626-356.

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What have you heard of an expat who has had problems with the renewal of their residence status? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com