Foreign-born population – 2024 | 12.3% of the population | Main countries of birth: Nicaragua (67%), Venezuela (5%), Colombia (5%) |
Size : 0.6 million, 49% women | Evolution since 2015: +53% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 4.5%, to reach around 30 000. The majority of applicants came from Nicaragua (23 000), Cuba (3 300) and Venezuela (1 700). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Cuba (2 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Nicaragua (‑400). Of the 70 000 decisions taken in 2025, 1% were positive.
Emigration of Costa Rican citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2024, to 4 400. Approximately 68% of this group migrated to the United States, 6% to Germany and 5% to Mexico.
Migration governance in Costa Rica is framed by the General Migration and Foreigners Law (Law No. 8 764 of 2009) and the competencies of the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, DGME), operating under the Ministry of Governance and Police.
Costa Rica’s migration policy aligns with international protection commitments and regional co‑ordination mechanisms, including co‑operation with UN agencies and Inter-American frameworks. Institutional co‑ordination between DGME and sectoral authorities remained central to service delivery and migration governance.
In May 2026, the DGME created a special temporary supplementary category for Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, Cuban and Colombian nationals whose asylum applications are pending or have been rejected. This humanitarian measure aims to allow them to remain legally in the country. To access this category, individuals must meet previously established requirements and conditions. Those who obtain this status may work freely, either self-employed or as employees. The permit is granted for two‑year periods and can be renewed for equal periods. To leave the country, beneficiaries do not require an exit permit, only compliance with the departure and re‑entry requirements established by the DGME. The measure takes effect on 1 September 2026.
In March 2026, the government signed an agreement to accept 25 deported migrants per week from the United States. Deported people will be granted a temporary legal status.
As of 16 March 2026, the DGME allows certain regularisation applications to be submitted through selected Costa Rica Post offices. This initiative aims to improve accessibility and expand service coverage, although decisions regarding processing, analysis and resolution remain the exclusive responsibility of the DGME.
Costa Rica’s asylum system remained under sustained administrative pressure. In response, DGME implemented procedural measures during 2025 aimed at accelerating the processing of refugee status requests. The strategy combining case file review, closure of inactive applications and prioritisation criteria, supported by a reinforcement of review staff.
Alongside asylum procedures, Costa Rica adopted time-limited regularisation and exceptional admission measures. In March 2025, the government published a resolution in La Gaceta extending exceptional authorisations for temporary admission, stay and documentation of certain foreign nationals deported to Costa Rica from the United States. These measures were grounded in humanitarian considerations and applied on a discretionary basis by DGME.
In July 2025, DGME adopted additional resolutions allowing temporary regularisation for specific groups under humanitarian criteria, authorising lawful stay and access to remunerated activities for a defined period.
For further information: www.migracion.go.cr
