Cross-Border Worker Permit (Categoría Especial — Trabajador Transfronterizo)

The Cross-Border Worker Permit (Categoría Especial — Trabajador Transfronterizo) is a special immigration category established under the General Law of Migration and Alienage (Ley General de Migración y Extranjería No. 8764) and its associated regulations. It was created to address the specific socio-economic reality of foreign nationals residing in areas adjacent to Costa Rica's borders, allowing them to legally enter and exit the country for the express purpose of performing salaried work without the complexities of a standard temporary residency.

This permit is designed for individuals living in designated border regions, such as Peñas Blancas, Los Chiles, Sixaola, Sabalito, and Paso Canoas. The ideal applicant is a neighbor of these regions who has secured a formal employment offer from a Costa Rican employer. It is distinctive because it facilitates legal labor mobility for local border populations, requiring proof of the employer's economic solvency and certification of the applicant's residence in the border zone.