Immigration Loosens Visa Restrictions To 102 Countries
Coming to Costa Rica has now been made easy by the immigration service that has eliminated or reduced visa requirements to 102 countries that can now travel to Costa Rica only on a "normal" visa and in some cases just a passport.

The new measures were announced by the Director of Migración, Mario Zamora, in a letter dated July 14 that now leaves only 12 countries on the "restricted" list, of a list of 114 countries in effect since March 2005.

Countries on the "restricted" list are Cuba, Haiti, China, Afganistan, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Syria, North Korea, Somalia, Sri Landa and Palestinians.

Citizens of countries on the "restricted" list cannot simply visit Costa Rica without first obtaining an entry visa that can only be authorized by the signature of the immigration director following a recommendation by a special commission.

Director Zamora said that "restricted" visas will be issued only to special invited guests and those who have a viable business in Costa Rica.

The countries that have dropped off the "restricted" list are communist block countries like Croatia, Slovakia, Estonia, Russia, Czech Republic, Serbia and Montenegro, among others.

Those citizens can stay up to 90 days on a "normal" (or tourist) visa and only require a passport to enter the country.

The less restringent visa rules also include Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, Lybia, Morocco, Sudan, and the Arab Emirates, among others, who will be allowed a 30 day stay.

"The restrictions to the 114 nations list was a decree of the Cold War", said Security Minister, Fernando Berrocal. The minister added that the countries on the list were nations that in the past had different political and ideological thoughts than Costa Rica. Many of those nations now form part of the European community and thus the need for the change.

However, the lessened controls don't affect Colombians.

Though Colombia is not on the "restricted" list of countries, Colombians do need to obtain a consular visa in Colombia prior to travel to Costa Rica.

A consular visa is issued by the Costa Rican consulate in that country and required to be presented to Costa Rican immigration officials at the point of entry.

Colombian businessmen who frequently travel to and from Costa Rica are to given easy access to Costa Rica.

Berrocal added that in the coming days he will be signing an agreement with chambers of commerce in Colombia so that they can certify investors and businessmen who are interested in Costa Rica. The chambers will keep a registry to that end, said Berrocal.

Nicaraguans will continue to be required to obtain a "consular" visa that is good for 30 days.

Panamanians and other Central American nationals can enter Costa Rica with only a passport and can stay up to 30 days.

Mexicans benefit from the change, now being allowed to stay up to 90 days from the previous period of 30 days.

For Americans, Canadians and Europeans, nothing changes. Those nationals can enter Costa Rica with only a valid passport and stay up to 90 days.