What happens if the 90 days visa expires (Costa Rica)?

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tico times directory

Months ago when visiting an account in CR, I met a guy, months later when asking my account about the guy, my account start laughing. It seems the guys Visa had expired (he refuse to take the advice of my account to leave the country for 72 hrs weeks prior) when he got into a minor traffic accident. Not only did he go to jail, he got hit with a fine, and had to pay for ALL damages of the accident that was not his fault.

Now here is the real bummer: He got deported and is not allowed back into the country for a few years!

Remember you are ONLY a 90 day guest in CR, abuse that, and you will suffer the consequences. If you have the funds to stay in CR, you should have to funds to take a border run. Cost is cheap, a bus ride is to any border is under $40 (if not cheaper, depending where you are at) and you can stay at a hostel for a few dollars a day.

Even if you are leaving a few weeks after your visa expires, there is nothing to stop the immigration official (when you show them your passport leaving) to detain you because you are now an illegal alien.

CR immigration laws are very strict nowadays - Is it worth the risk? Common sense tells you it is not.

Bakili

You could be looking at jail time in certain circumstances. Renew the thing.

Max B

You can just go down to Panama, its like $40 both ways and you need to stay out for 72 hours. Or just head to San Jose or another big city and you can find an official that will just give you the stamps for like $150.

Pura vida,

Max Bitterman
Marketing Director
MaxB@SolPropertyGroup.com
www.solpropertygroup.com

animal_luver211

idk but get that thing renewed ASAP!

costaricaeye

yes is risk...leave the country

bdubb76

If you are driving your license and insurance expires after 90 days and they will fine and maybe put you in jail if you get stopped or go through a traffico checkpoint. Immigration may look the other way for a couple of days but you are pressing your luck staying several weeks past. I know of someone who stayed well past his welcome and taken straight to the airport in San Jose and was asked not to come back for 10 years. Its your call but if you are short on cash now I can assure you won't have the money to pay the fines before you leave.

mora

You'll probably have to pay some small fine, they wont ban you from coming or jail you. They don't even do this to people who have been illegally here for years....

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