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Kohl
  4/8/2020 19:53 EST

Unfortunately unless one is a Permanent Resident, has a work visa which are only given if there are no other CR citizen or Permanent Resident who can fill the position. To obtain this status it takes approx. 4-5 years from the initial application.

The are many highly trained nurses here, and so many that can't secure employment.

Suggest you read the info here:

https://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/immigration-and-residency/how-to-apply-for-residency-in-costa-rica-a-step-by-step-guide/

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Kohl
  4/8/2020 20:02 EST

Sorry, should have added that you would be required to be bilingual and being in the medical field, you would need to get re-certified in the Spanish language.

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scalnew
  4/8/2020 21:22 EST

You can always teach english classes!

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lindyluvsCR
  4/9/2020 09:17 EST

Probably will not make enough money to pay rent and support herself. Especially now. Not a good idea.

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Blueridgeboy1
  4/10/2020 14:39 EST

Teach English, they say? You would still need to be sponsored by the school for your work visa before getting a teaching gig. Trying to do it "under the table" risks deportation and a fine.

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scalnew
  4/10/2020 15:30 EST

Teaching English is the one job you can safely do even without a work visa if you do private classes or the school agrees. The authorities will not bother you because of the great need of native speakers/teachers. I know from years of experience. This is true as long as you stay off the legal grid by not getting into trouble with the law for other factors.

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Mcanada
  4/12/2020 09:39 EST

I am a Canadian woman with a lot of experience in medical transcription. I know every field of medicine. I am also a health records manager trained in Toronto. I am also a legal transcriptionist.

Would there be any opportunity for me in costa rica? I used to transcribe all the Radiology for Ottawa and northern Alberta. I am also willing to teach it.

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lindyluvsCR
  4/12/2020 11:32 EST

No. You cannot legally work here until you are a legal permanent resident which takes at about 4 years. And after that, especially in these days, not right to take away a job from Ticos. Even so, you speak fluent Spanish including medical technology vocabulary in Spanish when they are speaking lickety split speed???

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Kohl
  4/12/2020 12:32 EST

Your situation is different from the other poster. You can work online. However, until you have gained Permanent Residency status, you cannot work in the general work situation, meaning you can't target local businesses. You could also open your own business, but cannot perform any of the physical tasks associated with it. Also, you would be required to be fluent in Spanish.

Read the info on residency at; https://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/immigration-and-residency/residency-general-information-and-summary/

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Blueridgeboy1
  4/12/2020 12:41 EST

Someone has suggested you try to work teaching English without your proper work visa, saying you would not get in trouble as long as the police never heard about you. Hmmmm. Same advice you could give to a heroin dealer. The problem arises when you ARE found out and deported. As an alternative, set up a relationship with your foreign clients and continue to do their transcriptions via the internet. On-line work with foreign clients is perfectly legal and requires no work permit. Just because someone else claims to have gotten away with illegal activity for years is no reason to follow in their footsteps.

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guestuser
  4/12/2020 12:58 EST

Working for someone stinks anyway--you CAN open a business in Costa Rica as long as you provide a service that locals can't So instead of figuring how to work for someone figure out how to work for yourself! Pay in CR stinks anyway so being an employee is not a financially smart move.

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scalnew
  4/12/2020 13:12 EST

Someone on this forum has inferred that another person on this forum has been breaking the law for years and is conducting others on this forum to do the same. I don't know if this individual has ever spit on the sidewalk or jaywalked before because if he has he's a bit hypocritical. I hardly think sneaking in some very needed English classes on some hungry pupils is conducive to a crime! Are you kidding?? The point that I made and that you didn't quite understand was that because of THE GREAT NEED for native speaking teachers the authorities have been known to turn a blind eye...very understandably...just like in the US with undocumented agricultural workers! Come on...for Pete's sake...show a little common sense!

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scalnew
  4/12/2020 13:39 EST

BTW, the original poster did not say she did transcriptions and that was who my response was directed at. Try to pay a little more attention to what the posts are about and maybe you{ll get your facts straight Blueridge Boy.

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guestuser
  4/12/2020 13:55 EST

There's nothing stopping anyone from having their own business in the English Field as long as you can provide a service that most Costa Ricans can't. and I can tell you from being a English teacher myself when I first move to Costa Rica that no Costa Rican knowsthe English language in regards to our idioms etc. Also only have to teach conversational English nothing with any degrees or anything else that would need approval by the government. I can for sure tell you that as a native English speaker you are going to be more desired than any Costa Rican speaking English. Open up your mind figure out how to start your own business and just like in any other country there's nothing guaranteed but nothing ventured nothing gained.

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/12/2020 15:15 EST

This lady has a child and she is a single Mom. I don't agree with those who are encouraging her to break the law.

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Kohl
  4/12/2020 17:17 EST

I agree, PombinhaCoco7!

And as someone mentioned the salary is very low...with few and often irregular hours.

https://ticotimes.net/2015/03/18/costa-rica-deports-12-us-students-in-language-school-dispute

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princzz
  4/12/2020 19:19 EST

Me neither...

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lancej
  4/12/2020 21:40 EST

I always tell people Costa Rica is a BYOM country. Bring your own Money. Dont look to find a job and make enough money to support yourself here. That probably applies to all of central america. I work with all USA clients for my own company which is in the USA, I work from home, my house just happens to be in Costa Rica.

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scalnew
  4/13/2020 10:38 EST

Mine was a harmless and innocent suggestion with no criminal intent. I haven't suggested anything that Fodor's travel guides hasn't suggested in their travel guides. Years ago I gave lessons at some very reputable firms here in CR and no one ever asked me about my immigration status. I traded classes for rent in Mexico. Kohl, your article is 5 years old and the 4th paragraph from the bottom says:
"Despite the inconvenience, the 12 people rounded up at Máximo Nivel (language institute) in February were told that they could re-enter Costa Rica as tourists. The Immigration Administration has not taken any additional sanctions against them or Máximo Nivel, according to an email from Immigration Administration spokeswoman Andrea Quesada."

So that more or less puts that to rest. JC said that she is a working single mother so I don't understand your remark, PombinhaCoco7. that she has a child and is a single mom. So what?? Many language, musical instrument and academic tutors work from their homes. I suggest that some of you contact your respective Congressmen and let them know how strongly you feel about undocumented workers and Sanctuary cities There are thousands of undocumented Nicaraguans living and working here in CR and they are taking jobs from Ticos. I hardly think that the authorities are going to come looking for a single mom giving a handful of English lessons to locals...a service for which all Ticos are grateful. Stop making it sound like a crime. This is an expat forum. Expats have been known to teach classes on a tourist visa. Don't be so sanctimonious. Lighten up.

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Kohl
  4/13/2020 11:41 EST

I understand that the link I provided was an old one, but was just showing that, yes, people do deported for teaching English, without a work visa. In regards to allowing them to re-enter CR, who knows if they actually did.

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princzz
  4/13/2020 14:56 EST

Really? What's your company?

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princzz
  4/13/2020 15:02 EST

...I sent that link previously, and though old, it still is in practice, the laws haven't changed and you will still be rounded up and arrested as it is illegal to work without being a citizen, permanent resident or have an official work visa.

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/13/2020 18:11 EST

To the lady from New York who posted here, my advice is: please don't break the laws of this country based on bad suggestions.
An American guy came here looking for a job in a local school. He got one. Before he started one of the Ticos who at the time also lived in our property and who actually spoke English very well went there and demanded that job.
I'm not sure if he got it (the Tico) because he was already in the process of moving to another complex.
All I know is that the American guy didn't get it and he ended up going back to the United States. He was here as a tourist.
If you work illegally and then get deported it will be very hard for you to be allowed back into this country.
I can't believe the advice some people are giving you here.

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guestuser
  4/13/2020 19:49 EST

Ok this is what I would do---you get a corporation very easily. Then, you start a school and specialize in United States idioms and sayings. There are not many Costa Ricans who could provide that specialty. And then you only promote conversational English with no certificates or diplomas. Ticos dont care---they NEED to speak English and the better they learn REAL English you can charge a premium from professionals. Back in 2002 I was teaching for Berlitz and making a whooping 100 a week, which back then was not too bad in CR. Point is I was the teacher everyone wanted because I was the only native speaker. Since I signed a non-compete I could not get any students of my own from the existing students. I could have VERY easily made good money because many people told me they would pay me the money they are paying Berlitz and I could meet them at their home or whatever. They were paying 700 a month way back then and I was working for 400 a month---on call from 7am to 9pm to teach--6 days a week! So ONE student I could have doubled my monthly income. That was 4 hours per week per student! Imagine if I got 5 students I would have been working 20 hours a week plus travel for 3500 a month instead of 400! I never liked working for anyone so just invested my time and money and started Grand View Estates. Anyone could do the same today and not be worried about breaking any laws. Focus on the pros. We did have an office rented and were ready to do our own school in Siquirres in addition to our real estate but the guy I partnered with flaked out. Of course the naysayers on here want to continue on how bad it is to want to work in Costa Rica but all you need to do is be smart--and legal--about it.

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/13/2020 20:21 EST

GBP
What you call the no-sayers are those with common sense and who don't give false information.
If you open a corporation and start a school aren't you supposed to have the investor's residency?
How can someone open a corporation and start their own business with no residency here?

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philruth
  4/13/2020 20:31 EST

Maybe there are different issues but with not even our expediente our lawyer helped us form a corporation to buy some land...granted everything for pensionado was in process but nothing formal had yet materialized.

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scalnew
  4/13/2020 22:13 EST

How ridiculous and controlling you are, Pombinha! You're acting like you're trying to be the authority at every level and on every topic. You're the one giving false information, honey! Did you even read my last post? ha! I wrote that in the article about the 12 Americans that one paragraph says no sanctions were levied against them and they were free to reenter the country and then you wrote some of your own hearsay about how maybe someone can get deported and not be able to return to the country. What kind of logic is that? It's your silly conjecture as opposed to the facts and my own personal experience! Personally I don't care one way or another if PC decides to teach English or not. And I'm certainly not trying to convince her to leave the safety and comfort of her home in the States to come here and work like a slave for a meager wage. Now I regret having posted anything because it has been blown way out of proportion because of a lack of common sense. But I'll be damned if I'm going to be dogged by you. I've tried for 5 years to become a part of this site but there's a few people who believe that every opinion or piece of information has to be filtered through their lens before it can be received as legit and It's just pure arrogance. I wonder how many newbies this site has lost due to a lack of hearing and accepting another person's viewpoint. This site definitely needs some new blood. Get out of the damn way and let some others breathe some fresh air on this site for goodness sake! Some of you are so opinionated that you're addicted to posting your hearsay day and night and on every thread! Bug off for awhile?! It will do you good and teach some needed humility. Don't be a nincompoop!

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Gypsymark2019
  4/14/2020 04:30 EST

This site sucks.

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scalnew
  4/14/2020 05:22 EST

I am here reviewing what I posted a few hours ago and am appalled and ashamed. I apologize to you, Pombinha, and to anyone else I might have offended for saying those horrible things. I don't know what came over me. I certainly don't want to be inviting people to break the law or to misconduct themselves in CR. I love the country and the people but times have changed and the situation is different than it was twenty years ago when things were a little more lax. I deeply regret the harsh tone and am concerned that I was capable of that kind of outburst. Once again, please accept my apology.

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lindyluvsCR
  4/14/2020 11:56 EST

Scalnew - Thank you for apologizing. Most of us are on the edge these days. By the time we reach our retirement age, we are opinionated and feel very strongly and often do not communicate as tactfully as we should. I know I don't. I think I have been barking more than my dog lately, and we are the only two in the house.

The bottom line is, we all need to be able to express our thoughts, especially now, and if someone adamantly disagrees, can say so and why. I have very strong opinions regarding many of these posts which are contrary to popular opinion, so almost all I keep to myself.

But we don't need to cuss or belittle others. We have all come to our conclusions based on experience and/or what we read or hear.

God help us through these difficult times to have purpose each day and a sense of humor when we can.

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guestuser
  4/14/2020 13:03 EST

My info is based on 20 years of doing business here. Me and partners have probably had over 100 corporations over the years in many different businesses. It seems on this forum only 1 opinion can be right and the heck with 20 years experience right?? Common sense comes by having some of the same experiences in common. How many corporations and companies and employees have you had?? Business is the same in many ways everywhere and it is not for the weak of heart. Success is never guaranteed and it takes a lot of different skills to accomplish goals in Costa Rica--and the skills of attorneys and accountants who understand how to succeed here.

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/14/2020 15:04 EST

I wasn't the one who made the laws of Costa Rica and how can you open corporations and business without being here legally?
Even my lawyer shook his head!

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/14/2020 15:10 EST

Actually I left a comment here last night but I don't see it here.
Please everyone, listen to the information that Kohl gives you.
He tells you as it is and gives you all the links about how to apply for residency here.
People who don't live here can buy a condo/house with a corporation but if they are here illegally how can they open business?
Speak to a good Immigration lawyer before you waste your money.

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Kohl
  4/14/2020 16:10 EST

Yes, PombinhaCoco7, you can open open a business and have a C.A, without residency and run/manage the business but are required to hire 'local help', Permanent residents or those with a work visa as long as all employees healthcare premiums are up to date.

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scalnew
  4/14/2020 16:39 EST

Thank you!

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/14/2020 18:17 EST

Kohl,
Are those who opened those type of business allowed to work?- I mean: those who don't have residency here?
I don't know if you recall several years ago someone who posted here that he had a restaurant but he wasn't supposed to work. He had employees.
One day one of the employees didn't show up to work and the owner was just wiping some tables when the Immigration Police arrived and caught him. He believed that he had been set up.
I don't think that this lady who asked the question wants to become a manager and hire people to work for her. Her question was about working here as a nurse. Then people started coming up with ideas for her. She never once said that she wanted to open her own business.

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lancej
  4/14/2020 18:24 EST

If this was for me, it is http://worldnetworksystems.com

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lancej
  4/14/2020 18:28 EST

Anyone can open a corporation in costa rica, you dont need to be a resident. I had one, but closed it as the profit margins and amount of effort it takes to make and collect money in CR was not the best way for me to spend my resources.

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/14/2020 18:36 EST

Kohl,
In that case she could open her business with corporation but she wouldn't be able to work. So was she supposed to hire locals to teach English in her school?
I don't think that this was her plan at all.
This was the plan that other came up with for her.
The bottom line based on her question, is: you cant legally work here without being a permanent resident which takes 4-5 years or else
you must have a work visa.
This is the answer that she deserves based on her question.
Others already mentioned that she must speak Spanish but I'm not aware of that requirement so I didn't say anything about it.

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/14/2020 19:38 EST

I too had a corporation while still living in Canada but if someone wants to live here and work here is different.

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Kohl
  4/14/2020 21:43 EST

PombinhaCoco7, that was my post about the young man who was 'apprehended' by the immigration police for cleaning up and closing his surf shop, since an employee was sick, so didn't turn up for work. This was told to me by our lawyer in the young mans hearing, when we were at immigration offices when applying for residency. The young man was married to a Tica and they had 2 children born in CR but at that point he was still in the application process to get residency, and my lawyer was also the young mans residency lawyer.

There are two different individual posters of this second saga...

I posted to Mcanada, the second woman, that '...(she) would be required to be fluent in Spanish' since she was in the medical profession and if working with Costa Rica physicians, she would be required to translate the work from the Spanish language. Obviously...or maybe not...she would have

And the original poster, jcmcleggan would also be required to be bilingual since she too is in the medical profession.

And both would have to get recertified in Spanish.

Good luck to them both.

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VikingExpat
  4/14/2020 23:06 EST

There is no problem to provide a service (or product) which a local can also provide. I own two Musmanni franchises and I know three other foreigners (from Europe, North America and South America) being owners of the same franchise. There’s no need to provide a unique service or product as someone claimed..

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PombinhaCoco7
  4/15/2020 06:43 EST

Thank you Kohl.
I'm glad you remembered that case.

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