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

By: CommonSense

CommonSense — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 01:43:00 +0000

I follow the rules ~ 90 days run for a border. I don’t see the problem. I also see me spreading my colones away from CR, feeding neighboring economies… So how u like me now, angry Costaricense???

By: APT

APT — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:51:00 +0000

I’m a PT, and I’m sorry, but your perception is rather mixed. I work for a US company, I haven’t taken any Costa Rican job. I don’t work in Costa Rica because, while my papers are in order, immigration has lost certain parts of it several times. The system isn’t run anywhere like that of the US or Canada, granted. That said, neither CAN or US have lost any of my immigration paperwork any of the times I’ve filed with them.

When I got here, and went in “transito”, I went to see about how I could pay local taxes. The truth is, you’re not allowed if you’ve not completed the immigration process. Costa Rica doesn’t want your tax money until then I guess.

I’ve had my papers in order a twice already, only to have to get them in order again due to pages missing. I’m not attached to Costa Rica, but my daughters are ticas, and so is my wife. I also contribute a lot of money to the local economy. I don’t feel entitled to residency, I just want a fair and responsible system. Stop losing my paperwork.

By: potro

potro — Mon, 25 May 2015 18:33:00 +0000

Toolman 78……Do you know what it takes for a Costa Rican to get a visitor visa to any European country Canada or the USA ???……How Bob mention ..”perpetual tourist do not have a “divine right” to live here” …so Why people from the first world feel that they do ???…. The point I think bob is try to point out is that many perpetual tourist do have corporations but they only pay for property and corporation tax, NOT capital tax from their business or municipal licensing (patentes) not to mention illegally working ….That the system is not good …yes , is not good and that the corruption that perpetual tourist take advantage of …..

By: toolman78

toolman78 — Sun, 24 May 2015 17:18:00 +0000

Bob, not to speak for RCH, but many PTs indeed do not have to work. they live off of savings and pensions. I know of at least one case where the guy has applied 2 times in the last few years and finally gave up. The system is terribly slow and convoluted. That’s why many do the PT thing. The CR government knows this is how it works and turns a blind eye towards it because it allows them to continue on without fixing the real problem. I don’t know of any PT who is doing it because they are avoiding taxes. If they work here, they are either illegally doing so because they can’t get residency but they would like to, or they own a corporation that has to pay taxes no matter who the owners are.

I personally agree with RCH, the repeated 90 day visas are an unofficially accepted thing. Why shouldn’t they make it more convenient and generate some revenue in the process. Make them go to the nearest immigration office and pay something to get it renewed. the money stays in CR, instead of sending it out of the country.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 24 May 2015 00:42:00 +0000

But….perpetual tourist ….do take ticos jobs and have unregister business like “vacation rentals” or services…..I personally know many that even had build on the “milla maritima” ….thanks to the corruption that they had feed……perpetual tourist are not good for Costa Rica.

By: SarongGoddess

SarongGoddess — Sat, 23 May 2015 20:14:00 +0000

Claus – not everyone that’s here CAN get residency for MANY LEGIT reasons – #1 being they don’t QUALIFY for one of the categories – yet they are NOT the people using/depleting resources from Costa Ricans – like the CAJA. They’re rarely the ones raping & pillaging the land by building things that changes this country on many levels & MY extensive observation is MANY of these people are ones that are actually giving BACK to the people of this country & HELPING where they can.

And MANY are living quite well on under the minimum required Pensionado’s $1,000/month (it helps when one does not drink, smoke, drug, go to trendy restaurants or waste gas. When they live simply!!)

By: SarongGoddess

SarongGoddess — Sat, 23 May 2015 19:58:00 +0000

Amusing “Sean” (or is this REALLY MA??) as I am NOT a “follower” of ANYONE!!!!
Just calling those out that CLAIM TO be “followers” yet choose to not walk his essence!!

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 23 May 2015 17:29:00 +0000

RCH….What’s really really STUPID about this…is your comment….how those perpetual tourist live ???…They do not need to work ???….How CR will be putting the money in the treasury with those “tourist” who work illegally and do not pay taxes ???…. .good question from Claus..”How “CR continues to shoot itself in the foot ” for not allowing the abuses from those who do not respect the law” ??…perpetual tourist are abusing the law and feeding the corruption of corrupt officials…..perpetual tourist do not have a “divine right” to live here….and if they want to live here …do it legally…..

By: Sean Davis

Sean Davis — Sat, 23 May 2015 17:02:00 +0000

I was quoting “Sarong Goddess” from one of her previous posts. Personally, I find Jesus to be a bit silly.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 23 May 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Well…..the USA or Canada is not very Christian when it comes down for a costa rican …with it expensive and humiliating visa process ….