Job Discussion Forums

krh · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 25

I've got a clean police record somewhere out there, the trouble is just getting the documents to show it. It can take up to 8 weeks to get one from the FBI here in the U.S. I guess you can also get some documentation from the state police. What are employers in Costa Rica looking for? Do most of them require proof of a clean police record? I've been putting this off since it's a big hassle but I don't want to get tripped up in CR because of it. Any advice?
Thanks-

Ecrivain · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Ohio (for now)

I think it depends on how you plan to enter the country.

A copy of your police record isn't listed as a requirement for a tourist from the US. Nor does it look to be a requirement for a temporary working visa (assuming you could get one, which sounds to be quite difficult).

This is the requirement as mentioned in the residency application list:

pollitatica · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 82

I've heard border runs have gotten a little trickier with the new administration, but certainly not tricky enough to keep people away. People just enter and leave every 90 days. Getting visas in Costa Rica is hard. Take a police record with you just in case. You may find yourself employed somewhere that would be willing to help you get a TWV, doubtful... but possible.

pollitatica · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 82

I think a one from your state is fine. A federal police record doesn't exist does it? Crime/Courts etc are on a state level. You don't need one unless you are going to try and get residency, which is very expensive and I really doubt you would be granted.

I repeat. you DO NOT need a police record to enter Costa Rica.

pollitatica · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 82

Ok. Last thing. I just checked ... there is only one type of police record. You can your police record from the local police department.

Good luck Smile

doreenp · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 147

border runs getting harder? I love the rumour mill in CR. yes things were supposed to get stickier at the borders but you should read the papers (la nacion) and the stories about computers crashing (in immigration) and new laws being delayed etc etc. Nothing moves quickly here , so relax.

I�m in Nicaragua right now and it took me a whopping 25 minutes to go thru the whole process of exiting CR and entering Nicaragua. Immigration , customs, baggage check , everything.

hopefully going back will be just as simple.

As far as a police check? Never heard of any school or agency asking for one. We don`t at our uni and they didn�t at the last uni i worked at either.

Unless you are applying for a work visa (which is almost impossible,) i have only heard of needing a police check for Residency.

Ecrivain · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Ohio (for now)

I did find one school's application that mentions requiring a clean police record. I mentioned it in another post.
Soluciones Idiomaticas: "Copy of your Police Record (Non-Criminals Only)". I haven't seen that requirement anywhere else yet, though.

As for border runs, I've read tidbits about it supposedly getting more difficult, too. Good to know that actual experience proves otherwise.

lbennett14 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 12

I spent 8 monthes in Costa Rica, and not once did I have to submit a police record, nor was I worried about it. My assumption is that they don't give a crap, until you do something dumb.

krh · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 25

Thanks for the information. There ARE two kinds of police records here in the U.S.- one from the local police department and one from the FBI that is more extensive. I think I'll just pay the $10 for the state record check and bring it just in case- but it doesn't seem like it's required too often. Thanks!

pollitatica · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 82

Oh, well I wouldn't call an extensive report from the FBI a "police record." A police record is a police record. A complete background check or criminal record, if that's what you mean - now that is different. And the above reference says a "state police record" ...

kruegs4 · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 29 Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is where I got my police report. It took me 5 minutes to pay for the sealed and authenticated piece of paper. Each state in the USA should have an office. check it out. Peace

briand907 · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

Someone said: "Take a police record with you just in case."
I know most people do the 3-day holiday thing but some schools want to be legal and will help you get a "work visa."
Since I want to be prepared for this I want to get a "police record."
My problem is that here in Canada the record must be addressed to someone. My question is: "Who is that someone?" Is it the school (don't think so), is it a particular department of the government - if so what is its name?

LaRoche · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Illinois, USA

I've been through the daunting and tedious process of gathering ridiculous amounts of documents and having them notarized and translated and stamped (and yes, one of them was a police report) when I applied for a work visa for Italy. I know Italy is not CR, BUT the process is similar.

I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that no one needs to bring a police report to CR. You would only need one if entering the country with a work visa (which is not going to be the case for the majority of us). All of the document stamping and notary stuff would take place at the CR consulate in your home country who would then issue you the work visa which you would receive before going to CR. So unless you are lucky (or unlucky?) enough to find a school who is willing to go through this arduous process, then you won't have to worry about the police report at all.