Costa Rica has become a sought-after country for immigrants. This is reflected in the refuge applications received in 2017, which reached 2,582 in May.
However, so far only 108 have been approved, representing a little more than 13%. In addition, 669 applications have been denied. The rest is still under analysis by the authorities.
The majority of approvals are for people coming from El Salvador, followed by Venezuelans, Hondurans and Colombians. In addition, a Panamanian, an Iranian and a person from Ukraine were also accepted.
A total of 1,036 applications from Venezuelans were received in these first months of the year. So far, only 39 have been approved, according to Migration Registration data, shared by the deputy minister of Interior.
But, why Costa Rica? The deputy minister of that portfolio, Carmen Muñoz, says that the stability offered by the country makes many people see it as the ideal place to settle.
The conditions of political stability, social climate and openness make our country a very attractive destination for people who have been fleeing war, poverty or persecution due to their race, gender or sexuality,”
said Muñoz.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that in April 2017 there were 4,351 refugees in the country, of which 54.4% are Colombian, 16% are from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, 10% from Nicaragua, 8.6% from Cuba and 7% from Venezuela.
The remaining 3% corresponds to other countries such as Nigeria, Haiti, Syria, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and others.