COSTA RICA NEWS – The Dirección de Migración y Extranjería de Costa Rica (the immigration service) will on Monday start fining travellers who overstay their visa period in country. The fine is US$100 per month for each month over.
According to the Tico Times, the the fine will only affect people with expired residency visas or temporary work permits.
In the Tico Times report, Heidy Bonilla, a spokesperson for Migración, says “there is no type of fine or penalty for people who overstay a tourist visa. People caught overstaying a tourist visa will be deported, but not fined.”
The report clarifies that foreigners caught with expired visas on their way of the country will not be detained as long as they leave immediately.