Children’s Exit Visas

Children under 18, including infants, who remain in Costa Rica for more than 30 days are subject to the country’s child welfare laws and will not be permitted to leave the country unless both parents request permission from the National Child Welfare Agency or Patronato Nacional de Infancia (Calle 19 and Ave. 6). This can pose a real problem for a single parent traveling with children who overstays the permitted 90 days. One parent or guardian cannot get exit papers without written permission from the non-accompanying other parent. A Costa Rican consul in the child’s home country must be notarized this document.

If you don’t adhere to this procedure, your child cannot leave the country. A travel agent or lawyer may be able to get permission from the Patronato if given the child’s passport and two extra Costa Rican-sized passport photos. Costa Rica’s child protection laws can be a real pain-in-the-neck. However, in some cases they can work to your advantage and enable you to stay in the country.

If you support minor children, you cannot be deported from the country under most circumstances. Although we don’t recommend using this method, some foreigners remain in the country indefinitely this way. Your attorney can explain how to use this law to protract your stay in the country.

By the way, the Patronato Nacional de Infancia also handles adoptions in Costa Rica. This process can take a couple of years even for a newborn or child if you satisfy all of the requirements. It is easier and faster if you adopt a child rather than a newborn.