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$37.5 Million for Visas
To Chinese
Less than two weeks ago, the
Costa Rican immigration service
announced lessened restrictions
for the requirement of visas to
many countries.
However, the immigration service
has a strong reasons to keep
the Chinese in the list of
nationalities with restrictions
to enter Costa Rica.
According
to Minister of Public Security
Fernando Berrocal, in spite of
the restriction, the Immigration
Service granted an average 1,500
visas to Chinese a year during
the last four years.
Minister Berrocal said he has reports
that the Chinese pay some
$25,000 for each visa –amounting
to $37.5 million a year –, and
that the money is distributed
among the members of an
international organization.
“Not
all of that money remains here,
but a large amount is paid to
Costa Rican attorneys and
immigration officials,” Minister Berrocal admitted, while
announcing firm steps to stem
the illegal business.
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