In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑73%, to reach around 35 000. The majority of applicants came from Nicaragua (28 000), Cuba (2 800) and Venezuela (1 800). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Cuba (1 700) and the largest decrease nationals of Nicaragua (‑91 000). Of the 22 000 decisions taken in 2023, 13% were positive.
Emigration of Costa Rican citizens to OECD countries increased by 2% in 2022, to 3 500. Approximately 62% of this group migrated to the United States, 8% to Germany and 7% to Mexico.
Costa Rica has long been an important transit and destination country for refugees and migrants in Latin America. However, in recent years Costa Rica has experienced a substantial rise in the number of asylum applications and irregular migrants it receives, placing additional pressure on the country’s migration system. In response, Costa Rica’s migration policy in the past year has predominantly focused on the regulation of migration from Central and South America.
As part of these measures, Costa Rica has established a temporary “special migration category” for nationals of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua who had previously sought asylum and whose applications were pending or rejected. The temporary special category permits those who withdraw their asylum application to obtain a temporary residence and work permit for a period of two years.
In June 2023, Costa Rica and the United States reached a joint agreement on opening “Safe Mobility Offices” (SMOs) in Costa Rica, allowing nationals of Nicaragua and Venezuela who were physically present and registered as refugees in Costa Rica on or before 12 June 2023, to apply directly to migrate legally to the United States. The agreement is meant to expand safe routes for migrants and eliminate the scenario of irregular migration, preventing people from becoming victims of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
In September 2023, a state of emergency was declared by the President due to an increasing number of migrants entering Costa Rica irregularly. In October 2023, the General Immigration Directorate (DGME) published a resolution that reinstates the requirement for foreign nationals applying for initial residence permits to register with the consulate of their home country in Costa Rica before they can apply for their digital immigration identity document (DIMEX).
At the end of October 2023, Costa Rica and Honduras reciprocally reinstated the visa-free entry for nationals of the other country after the visa requirement had been introduced in both countries at the beginning of October.
In May 2024, Costa Rica and the United States signed two Memoranda of Understanding during the Third Ministerial Meeting on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection in Guatemala. The first memorandum established a new biometric data exchange partnership, which aims to improve the collection and comparison of biometric data in Costa Rica and strengthen the country’s border management. The second memorandum outlined increased co‑operation between the two countries in the fight against human trafficking. During the Ministerial Meeting, Costa Rica and the United States also announced that the SMOs operating in Costa Rica will extend their eligibility to Ecuadorian nationals.
For further information: www.migracion.go.cr
