Expert: Tucker Comstock - 4/24/2011

Question
I have just received after 3 tries in 2 years my: BIRTH CERTIFICATE from Massachusetts, BACKGROUND CHECK from MANATEE  COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT in FLORIDA, DIVORCE DECREE from FLORIDA, PENSION description "FOR  LIFE" from DELTA AIR LINES  PENSION ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT IN ATLANTA GEORGIA. ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN AUTHENTICATED BY THE RESPECTIVE SECRETARY OF STATE APPLICABLE). I ALSO HAVE A LETTER OF SOLICITATION FOR COSTA RICAN RESIDENCY DRAWN UP AND TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH BY attorney in San Ramon Alajuela Costa Rica (she is not VERY experienced in immigration),INTERPOL CHECK AND FINGERPRINTED IN SAN JOSE BY THE MINISTERIO SEGURIDAD PUBLICA IN 2009 and this Monday I will have the US Embassy document my SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS,DHS (DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY) PENSION, and COPY ALL OF MY PASSPORT PAGES (good until 2019) per the authorization by the US Department of State. Once I have an experienced attorney, I will get all of these documents TRANSLATED IN SPANISH as required and submit them to the Costa Rican CONSULATE which will eventually go to Migracion FOR FINAL APPROVAL. Before my appointment date I will have joined the "CAJA" and also have a BANK ACCOUNT established. MY TOTAL GROSS INCOME IS OVER $3500 per month. I have documented receipts of residency here in San Ramon for over 2 years at the same residence (I have been using my DELTA AIR LINES flying benefits to leave before 90 days and return on a repetitive basis for OVER 2 years.
MY BIG QUESTION IS-I AM BRINGING MY FILIPINO GIRLFRIEND OF 4 years and total documented support HERE IN JUNE-SHE HAS ALL OF HER DOCUMENTS PER THE HONORARY COSTA RICAN CONSULATE IN MAKATI CITY PHILIPINES. WE WILL HAVE A CATHOLIC WEDDING HERE IN SAN RAMON IMMEDIATELY UPON ENTRY.I WILL FILE THIS INFORMATION WITH THE US EMBASSY AS WELL AS THE COSTA RICAN CONSULATE. I HAVE BEEN legally ADVISED THAT ONCE WE ARE HERE AND MARRIED SHE WILL REGISTER WITH THE COSTA RICAN CONSULATE AS MY WIFE AND THAT SHE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS BEING UNDER MY "PENSIONADO REGISTRATION STATUS ACTIVELY BEING PURSUED'AND THAT NEITHER ONE OF US NOR MY STEPSON WITH HER (3 1/2 years old)WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE AFTER 90 DAYS. I DO NOT BELIEVE I HAVE MISSED ANYTHING BUT IF I HAVE I AM 100% POSITIVE THAT WE BOTH HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. HOWEVER HER DOCUMENTS WILL BE 90 DAYS OLD BY JUNE 10. ARE HER DOCUMENTS UNDER THE SAME TIME FRAME AS MINE WHICH WILL BE 90 DAYS ABOUT JULY 16. What more could you advise me on?

Answer
So sorry for delayed response -- I have been out of contact with internet for 2 weeks.

My residency ("inversionista" -- investor) took 3 years to complete -- AFTER I had all documents mentioned above, in a timely manner.  I used a specialist San Jose high priced law firm for immigration.  I finally received a 2 year residency, and now, in renewing, I have had 4 appointments which the Migracion department canceled because "we misplaced your file".

I cannot even hope to advise on this subject.  I have met Americans who obtained residency - pensionados -- in 3 months.  They worked hrough a chorizo" (bribery) lawyer, who had contats within Immigration.

I think there is a lot of corruption in Migracion, and that is the way work gets done.

So sorry I can't even point you to the right person to answer your question.  It is the most frustrating part of living in Costa Rica.