--- title: "#CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS_Article: How to Properly Prepare an Immigration Application" description: Immigration Applications image: https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hubfs/empresario-negro-anonimo-escribiendo-en-un-cuaderno.jpg --- [![BDS blanco ingles](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BDS%20blanco%20ingles.png?width=100&height=50&name=BDS%20blanco%20ingles.png "BDS blanco ingles")](https://www.bdsasesores.com) - [Team](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/team/) - [Services](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/services/) - Blog - [Labor Law](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog) - [Corporate Law](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/apriori-blog?hsLang=en-us) - [Store](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/tienda/) - [Contact](https://www.bdsasesores.com/en/contact/) - English - [English](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/blog?hsLang=en-us) - [Español](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/blog?hsLang=es-cr) ![](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Theme-Delight%20BDS%20Asesores/images/logo-BDS-blanco-jul25.png?width=200&name=logo-BDS-blanco-jul25.png) ##### Aug 5, 2025 10:22:29 AM ##### 2 min. read #CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS\_Article: How to Properly Prepare an Immigration Application 3:47 # #CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS\_Article: How to Properly Prepare an Immigration Application Preparing a complete and well-organized immigration file is key to ensuring that applications for any immigration category in Costa Rica are approved efficiently and without setbacks. Below, we provide a practical guide with the most important aspects to ensure that your application meets all the requirements: **Gather All Officially Requested Documents** Each type of immigration process has a specific list of documents that must be submitted. It is essential to consult the official list of requirements provided by the Costa Rican General Immigration And Foreigners Authority *(Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería)*, as well as the provisions of the Foreigners Regulation *(Reglamento de Extranjería)*. Among the most common documents are the following: - Written application outlining the grounds for the petition, signed and authenticated by an attorney-at-law. - Valid and undamaged passport, notarized by a Public Notary. - Valid entry stamp to Costa Rica. - Criminal record certificate (apostilled and valid). - Birth certificate (apostilled). - Recent passport-sized photographs with a white background. - Proof of fingerprints issued by the Ministry of Public Security (can be submitted during the documentation stage; DIMEX application). - Consular registration (can be submitted during the documentation stage; DIMEX application). **Ensure the Validity and Legal Force of Documents** It is of the utmost importance to verify the validity of documents issued abroad. For instance, if the documents state an expiration date, that is the validity period that the immigration authority will recognize. If, however, the certificates lack a specified expiration date, they will be given a validity of six months. **Apostille and Official Translation** If the documents were issued abroad, it is essential that they be apostilled in the country of origin. Furthermore, if they are in a language other than Spanish, they must be officially translated in Costa Rica. **Verify that Forms Are Complete and Signed** When submitting a paper application, the official forms (such as the "personal data form") must be filled out correctly, without strikeouts or errors. It is also crucial to check that all signatures and dates are complete. **Include Copies and Originals as Requested** It is essential to submit a copy of the complete file to the officials in order to have a sealed backup of what was submitted to the authority. **Authentications, Certifications, and Stamp Duties** It should be noted that the signature of the person submitting the document must be authenticated on the written application. Similarly, this signature must be authenticated by an attorney, and the corresponding stamp duties must be affixed. In the case of submitting notarial certifications, it will also be necessary to review signatures and stamp duties as applicable. **Submit the File in Person or Through an Authorized Representative** Verify the official channels for submitting the file, as well as complying with the specified hours and procedures. Check if the process requires a prior appointment. **Maintain Constant Communication and Follow-up** After submitting the file, it is recommended to stay in contact with the immigration authority or your advisor to respond to any additional requirements that may arise. A careful and detailed preparation of your immigration file not only accelerates its approval but also reduces the likelihood of inconveniences or rejections due to incomplete documentation. It is important to always follow official instructions and not hesitate to seek advice from specialized professionals. *Johanna Gómez Frittella* *Attorney-at-law, BDS Asesores* [![I have a question](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6302490/b09e136c-59db-46ae-bb16-f7b6bb7d7ffa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6302490/b09e136c-59db-46ae-bb16-f7b6bb7d7ffa) [« Volver](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/blog?hsLang=en-us) [Human Resources](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/human-resources), [Labor Law](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/labor-law), [Legal Talent Hub](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/legal-talent-hub), [Littler Latin America](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/en-us/blog/tag/littler-latin-america) ## Otros artículos #### #CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS\_LaborAlert: Ruling from the Constitutional Chamber Affects Provisions of the Law on Strengthening Public Finances Recently, **judgment 2025-008201** was announced by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of... #### #CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS\_Article: Immigration Penalties for the Irregular Employment of Foreign Nationals When companies conduct recruitment processes, it is common for them to interview **foreign candidates**... #### #Honduras 🇭🇳 #BDS\_Article: IHSS Amnesty: Benefits, Requirements, and Procedure for Employers in Arrears The Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS in Spanish) recently approved the **Special Regulation...** ![BDS-color-ingles-130](https://publicaciones.bdsasesores.com/hubfs/BDS-color-ingles-130.png) #### Subscribe here! 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