Comments on: Employers face fine up to $8,600 for undocumented workers

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:03:37 +0000

Yes, you are right on the money about CR and the legal system. If you do like the labor laws, you outlook is not likely to get any better by dealing with the real estate laws here in CR. On the surface, CR seems rather organized compared to some countries in Latin America. However, scratch the surface and you will find a legal system which requires aggressive lubricating to get things done.

By: Douglas Henry

Douglas Henry — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:18:37 +0000

So what’s the next move John? My wife has a work visa to teach English. It cost us a lot of money so I can’t imagine every English teacher running out and spending thousands to get the visa so they can teach English here for a few months or a year at a pay scale of $7 an hour and paid only for the hours teaching not preparing the lessons. Also, what about all those SA corps owned by illegals here on tourist visas, how does that work. I for one would like to know exactly what the options are. I am coming quickly to the conclusion that despite making every effort to do things properly here, that in the end it is simply not possible. My short two years experience tells me that the entire legal system and all the laws that stem from it are designed as Catch 22 from the get go.

By: John Holtz

John Holtz — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:33:39 +0000

Sorry, not correct. A tourists visa is just that not, good for 90 days and a tourist not a business person nor an employee. You need to read to read the fine print. You are right, if the expat has residency, no problem. But not all legal residensts can work; i.e. Pensionados.

By: John Holtz

John Holtz — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:33:39 +0000

By: Kelly Zak

Kelly Zak — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:48:40 +0000

If the ex-pat had residency, then they could work legally anyway, so there would be no point in mentioning they can run their business. As long as the expat is within their 90 day tourist visa, they are legal in Costa Rica and are able to run their business.

By: John Holtz

John Holtz — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:33:39 +0000

Every sports book, call center and language school hire “illegals”. Not to mention beacg bars, surf companies golf courses…..there is no end. It is under the table and well documented. “expats can, however, run businesses in the country” is only correct if the expat iis legal such as in residency.