ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR DUAL U.S/COSTA RICAN CITIZENS MINORS

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated special procedures for minors at entry and exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parents(s) or legal guardian.

U.S. citizens who are also citizens or legal residents of Costa Rica may be required by Costa Rican authorities to comply with Costa Rican entry and exit laws. This means that a U.S. citizen minor who normally travels with a U.S. passport, but who also has Costa Rican citizenship or Costa Rican legal residency, must comply with entry/exit requirements before leaving Costa Rica.

Parents of U.S. citizen minors who also have Costa Rican citizenship or residency should be aware that these children may only depart Costa Rica upon presentation of an exit permit issued by the Costa Rican immigration office (“Migración”). It may be necessary for both parents to be physically present to sign the exit permit at the time of issuance. The Costa Rican immigration office may be closed for several weeks during holiday periods, so trips with minors must be planned ahead of time.

The U.S. Embassy cannot exempt you from these requirements. Parents of dual citizen or Costa Rican resident children are advised to consult with the Costa Rican Embassy or a Costa Rican Consulate in the U.S. about entry and exit requirements BEFORE traveling to Costa Rica. Costa Rican Immigration information can also be found at the following website: http://www.migracion.go.cr

Additional information on entry and exit requirements may be obtained from:

1. The Consular Section of the Costa Rican Embassy in the U.S. at: 2114 S Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202)234-2945, fax (202) 265-4795. Their website is http://www.costarica-embassy.org.

2. A Costa Rican consulate. For information regarding the nearest Costa Rican consulate, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at: http://www.rree.go.cr

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