Costa Rican immigration officials arrested for selling visa stamps to “perpetual tourists”

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May 22^nd, 2015 (InsideCostaRica.com) The head of the Costa Rican immigration office in Sixaola, on the Panama border, as well as another immigration official in the same office, were arrested on Thursday on charges that they registered false migratory exits and entrances for so-called “perpetual tourists” needing to renew their 90-day tourist visas.

The office’s immigration chief, identified by the last names Gonzalez Barquero and another immigration official identified by the last names Rivera Gonzalez, allegedly charged $120 to register an exit and entry into immigration computers and provide the appropriate stamps in the passports of perpetual tourists, without the foreigner even being present in most cases, according to prosecutors.  Many of the foreign customers were U.S. and Canadian citizens.

Another suspect, surnamed Bermudez Bermudez, was also taken into custody.  Authorities allege that Bermudez was responsible for “promoting” the illegal service to foreigners in areas popular with tourists and expats.

Director of Immigration, Kathya Rodriguez said that her institution has “zero tolerance for corruption.”

Physical evidence, including passports belonging to foreign “customers” of the officials, were seized during the arrests.  Authorities did not indicate if foreigners who utilized the services of the officials could face charges or penalties.

“Perpetual tourists” refers to those who either live in Costa Rica without official residency, or wish to stay in the country for a period of time beyond the 90 days permitted on a tourist visa.  Perpetual tourists usually cross one of Costa Rica’s land borders – either with Nicaragua or Panama – every 90 days in order to receive a new 90-day tourist visa after a quick trip out of the country.