Because of all the confusion and contradiction concerning two new laws which went into effect yesterday, 1 March, I thought I better get something out. These new laws are the ones affecting immigration to include 90 day visas and the new traffic laws.
Immigration (residency & 90 days visas included). This just goes to show that no one including the head of the immigration department, Mario Zamora, knows what is going on. This law was passed over a year ago but only went into effect yesterday. In Costa Rica there is a six month lapse from the time a law is enacted and when it goes into effect. This one was held up past the six month period because of some inconsistences in it.
For those of you who are in the perpetual tourist category and for those of you who stay here prolonged periods of time this is where you are really affected if you can find out exactly how. On 19 February Zamora, the head of the immigration department, publically announced that any one wishing to renew their 90 days viza WILL NOT be able to go to the same country twice for the required 72 hour period and that after the second renewal a person must leave the country for a minimum of 15 days before being able to obtain a renewal, that this can be avoided by paying US$100.00 every 90 days to any immigration office or station. This came out of the clear blue as no mention had been made previously. Today in amcostarica Zamora retracted that saying he had no idea how he got that idea, that he guesses he is just not that familiar with the new law. (Guess it is to much to ask that the head of the immigration department to be up to snuf on laws affecting his department.) He went on to say that people can stay here for one year and pay US$100.00 every 90 days to renew their visa vise having to leave the country. Nothing said about what happens after one year.
What affects those of us with residency is that we must now join the Caja. The Caja is the government’s socialized medical program. For Karen and I that will cost us around US$65-70.00 per month whether we use it or not. In Karen’s case it will do no good as the Caja doesn’t have the specialist Karen requires not does it have the medications she requires to stay alive. All residents will also be required to pay US$25.00 annually to maintain their residency status. Who this is to be paid to and how the payment is to be made or when it is to be made is unknown.
There are a lot of other changes, particularly the parts pertaining to gringos working in Costa Rica. There is a fairly extensive summary in the 19 February edition of amcostarica.
New Traffic Laws. This is about as bad as the immigration law. This law was also delayed going into effect for several months past the six month period because of debate over the amount of the fines. Traffic fines increased approximately 10 times over what they were plus a point system went into effect. In most cases the fine for most infractions exceed the average Tico’s monthly wage. The legislature was unable – no surprise here – to resolve anything so yesterday the law went into affect as written. Yesterdays edition of insidecostarica list offenses and the resultant fine along with the points assessed. It will also be easy amass the 50 points to loose your license as the points assigned to violations are proportionally as high as the new fines.
There was also a surprise requirement that came out. Now, you also have to have a psychological evaluation in order renew a driver’s license or to initially obtain one. At each renewal you will also have to have another blood test. Guess the legislature is afraid that between the date of renewal or initial issue a person’s blood type can change. All told the cost of a license is now arount US$65.00 – issuance fee, physical exam, psych eval and blood test.
Each vehicle – rental vehicles also for those who rent – have to have the following safety equipment: fire extenguisher, jumper cables, first aid kit, two reflective triangles or internation orange cones, tool kit, reflective vest and flash light. AND, guess what, motor cycles have to have to carry the same as well as any other vehcile that is driven on the roads…
The head of the Transitos (traffic police – they are the only police force in Costa Rica that can issue tickets) said he has encouraged his officers to only issue warnings or to talk to drivers for the first 60 days. The Transitos, through their union, stated that they will not enforce the new laws, rather they will concentrate on reckless drivers and hazards; however, yesterday the Transitos had a ball writting tickets and confiscating vehicles in the central valley area.
All I can say is that the Transitos who were bad in the past in soliciting bribes not to issue a ticket are licking their lips and probably have visions of a beach front retirement home in Miami with what they can extort from motorists now that fines will be in the 100s of dollars. I’d think that those at the two speed traps between Heredura and the Caldera Highway probably have already contacted realtors.
I’ll have the regular newsletter out next week. Just wanted to get everyone informed of the above so they can prepare accordingly. I’m sending this without close proof reading as we’re back to internet access problems.
Frank and Karen
Lot 12, Finca Zacatona
011-506-8887-1933
