Immigration Began Issuing New Foreign Resident Cedulas
Being a resident of Costa Rica will now cost more as the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería announced a new "cedula" for all foreign residents. The cost of the new document will cost an additional us$14 (¢7.035 colones).

The new cedula, similar to the one issued to Costa Ricans, will replace the "book" that is now used by foreign residents and will be the same for the different types of residency status.

The new cedula will contain all the information required by an immigration official, including a finger print. The new cedula began in use yesterday.

Many foreign residents at immigration complained of the high cost. The old cedula cost only us$6.85 (¢3.430 colones). In addition to the cost of the new cedula, foreign residents will also required to pay an additional ¢2.500 colones (us$5.) in "timbres" or stamps.

Johnny Marin, director of the immigration service, said that the new fees for the cedula was published several times in the official government newspaper, La Gaceta. Notwithstanding, many still are not aware of the new fees and are shocked at the high cost.

The new cedula is good for five years. The immigration service says it issues between 150 and 180 cedulas per day.