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Why should you avoid doing a border run for visa renewal every 3 or 6 months, instead of getting legal residency? When you arrive at Costa Rican passport control at the airport or the border, the immigration officer will stamp your passport with a tourist visa. You probably get your passport stamped for 180 days. Or maybe 90 days. Or perhaps they won’t let you in, and that’s where you’ll have a problem.
By the way, if you get the 180-day visa stamp, you must know that your foreign driver’s license is only valid for 90 days!
I have received calls from people asking how they can sell their property, because they are not allowed back into the country. When they bought their property, they didn’t bother getting legal residence, because they traveled every 90 days anyway. That way, they didn’t have to go after all the needed paperwork to request legal residency and didn’t have to pay a lawyer.
Now, the immigration officer asks why they visit so often. Of course, the answer is, “I have a property here.” Sadly, the officer is allowed to stop anyone from entering the country. So now, the property owner has all belongings, like clothing, furniture, art, medicine, photo albums, in a country they’re not allowed to enter anymore.
Do you want to run that risk?????
Not sure about moving here?
We always say “rent before you buy”. If you’re unsure where to live in Costa Rica, do your due diligence. The options are incredible, depending on your temperature, lifestyle, and other requirements. Check this list first and send me the answers so I can assist you in finding the area that fits your needs. Airbnb offers monthly rentals so you can stay in each location for a month to check it out first. Once you have figured it out, contact us, and we’ll find you the perfect home in Costa Rica. Before you’re ready to purchase a property, you might need to do a border run once, but don’t do it for the rest of your life, like many people do.
Why a Border Run
A border run is a quick trip across an international border, often for visa-related purposes. People do border runs for various reasons, including renewing a visa, extending their stay in a country, or resetting the duration of a visa-free entry. A Costa Rica visa renewal border run may seem like a convenient option, but it comes with several risks and downsides:
1. No Guarantee of Re-Entry
Costa Rican immigration officials are increasingly cracking down on perpetual tourism. If they suspect you’re doing border runs to stay longer, they can deny you entry or shorten your stay.
2. Inconsistent Visa Extensions
Tourist visas are typically valid for 90 or 180 days, but immigration officials determine whether to grant or deny them upon re-entry.
3. Stricter Border Policies
Authorities may request proof of onward travel (a plane or bus ticket out of Costa Rica). Some travelers are questioned about financial solvency, requiring proof of funds. The borders can have long wait times and unpredictable rules.
4. Increasing Immigration Scrutiny
Frequent border runs can raise red flags, leading to:
- More intense questioning
- A shorter visa duration
- Potential denial of entry
My opinion
While a border run may work once or twice, it’s not a reliable long-term strategy. With Costa Rica tightening its visa policies, repeated border runs increase the risk of denial, making it a risky and costly approach. I recommend you also become a legal resident when purchasing a property in Costa Rica, so you won’t get stopped at the border and not be allowed in. Contact us now to enjoy our buyer’s agent service.
