New Immigration Law Would Impose Health Policy
The government is proposing in its revised Immigration Law to charge foreign residents ¢9.000 colones (us$17.50) per month for a health policy by the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) as a condition to legalize their immigration status.

The change would affect some 900.000 foreign residents in the country, of which 600.000 are legal and the 300.000 living and working illegally in the country.

The new immigration law will be presented to the legislature in the coming days and the government hopes to have it passed before the current session ends in the middle of December.

The reforms to the Ley de Migración is to make changes to the law that went into effect last August 12, a law that was passed during the Pacheco administration, but has never been enforced by the current government due to the lack of resources, both financial and staff, by the immigration service.

The payment for the health policy known as the "canon migratorio" will be made at the offices of the Dirección de Migración at the time of obtaining or renewing residency.

The move is to assist the CCSS recover the large loss for health care given to foreign residents - both legal and illegal - who for the most part don't pay into the social system.

According to CCSS figures, they spend some ¢10 billion colones (us$19.5 million dollars) each year providing health care to foreign residents that don't pay a colon into the health system. The Ministerio de Educación (Education) has 43.000 students of foreign residents attending schools and the Ministerio de Justicia (Justice) has to pay for the keep 1.250 prisoners who are foreign residents, all who don't contribute to the social system.

Fernando Berrocal, Ministro de Seguridad Pública, said that the payment by foreign residents will change the role of immigrants in Costa Rica. "They will pass from those demanding services for no cost, to payers. The country has the full right to ask them to pay", said Berrocal.

Legal foreign residents can voluntarily purchase a health policy, however, the new change would force all residents to purchase a policy as a condition of the immigration status.

The change would include temporary workers as well, including scientific and religious missions, athletes and artists.  Domestic workers will be exempt from making such payments if the employer is making CCSS contributions on their behalf.

In the event a foreigner does not have the ability to pay, the proposal would allow the foreigner to contribute to community work, like painting of schools, repairing sidewalks, etc.

Also, a foreigner who has been a resident for 10 continuous years, can renew their residency for an additional five years and be exempt from the "canon".