Costa Rica•North AmericaVaries
52 USD
2 years
Work authorization for Colombian, Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan asylum seekers in Costa Rica, renewable 2-year grants with no family work rights.
Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela nationals who filed for asylum in Costa Rica between June 1, 2014 and May 7, 2026 qualify for a 2-year Special Humanitarian grant under Resolution DG-0064-05-2026. Applicants must apply in-person at DGME headquarters (La Uruca, San José) during the window September 1, 2026–September 1, 2027 with a complete documentation package.
The grant authorizes work and runs 2 years, renewable indefinitely for successive periods. Spouses cannot work. Applicants submit identity documents, apostilled criminal certificates from country of origin or last 3 years' residence, MSP fingerprinting proof, and proof of continuous Costa Rican residency. Incomplete applications face automatic rejection with no opportunity to correct.
This visa is ideal for asylum seekers from Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, or Venezuela continuously resident in Costa Rica since June 2014 seeking legal status and work authorization.
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Colombia
Cuba
Nicaragua
VenezuelaMust demonstrate a situation of extreme vulnerability (e.g., age, gender, disability, or extraordinary humanitarian circumstances).
Must be in the country and unable to return to the country of origin due to the specific humanitarian risk.
May apply to specific groups defined by executive decrees (e.g., certain nationalities with pending or denied refugee claims under specific timeframes).
Must not have another approved immigration category.
Valid passport
Passport photos
Criminal background check
Health insurance
Birth certificate
Fingerprints
Educational credentials
Resume/CV
Dependent documents
Employment contract (sponsor)
Company registration (sponsor)
Employer documentation (sponsor)
Proof of unique skills (sponsor)
Job description (sponsor)
| Special Category Work Permit Application | — |
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