Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases

Press Release Publication of Final Rule on Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases The Department of State is committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States for both immigrant and nonimmigrant travelers. The Department of State published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain nonimmigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for …

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United States Announces $25 Million to Strengthen Costa Rica’s Cybersecurity

Today, the United States and Costa Rica affirmed their collaboration on cybersecurity with the United States’ announcement of plans to provide $25 million to bolster Costa Rica’s digital infrastructure.   The U.S. Department of State plans to commit approximately $25 million in funding, subject to congressional approval, to strengthen Costa Rica’s cyber defenses against threats from …

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United States Donates Early Childhood Stimulation Kits to 1,800 Families

The United States Government and UNICEF Costa Rica donated 1,800 kits with learning materials to families belonging to the National Care and Children Development Network (REDCUDI). The resources will allow children ages 0 through 6 to play and perform activities that support skills improvement in different developmental areas. The kits were distributed in state-funded childcare …

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United States Helps Improve Sarapiqui and Coto Brus’ School Conditions

The 2023 school year arrived with new desks, appliances for the school cafeteria, and construction materials for students in Puerto Viejo of Sarapiquí and Limoncito of Coto Brus. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Representative Humanitarian Assistance Program donated the equipment that benefits approximately 200 students, who did not have adequate infrastructure or furniture in …

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Release of Political Prisoners from Nicaragua

PRESS STATEMENT February 9, 2023 ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE Today, the United States welcomes 222 individuals who had been imprisoned by the Government of Nicaragua for exercising their fundamental freedoms and have endured lengthy unjust detentions. The release of these individuals, one of whom is a U.S. citizen, by the Government of Nicaragua …

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Commander of U.S. Southern Command to visit Costa Rica for meetings with Costa Rican, regional leaders

Press Release Friday, February 3, 2023 U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), will arrive in San Jose, Monday, February 6 for her first official visit to the country. Richardson’s four-day agenda in Costa Rica includes scheduled meetings with President Rodrigo Chaves, Minister of Public Security Jorge Luis Torres and other …

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DHS Announces New Migration Enforcement Process for Venezuelans

Release Date: October 12, 2022 Venezuelans who seek to enter the U.S. illegally will be returned to Mexico; New lawful pathway created for some Venezuelans WASHINGTON – Today, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing work to build a fair, orderly, and secure immigration system, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing joint actions …

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Students from La Carpio Surf Safer on the Internet

The bilingual magazine Paper Boat: Exploring my Digital World is now in hands of a group of La Carpio students to learn early in childhood about how to prevent fake news and to safely surf the Internet. This magazine is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Embassy and journalist Alberto Barrantes, who received …

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$1 Billion in New U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine This Week

PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 16, 2022 In recent days, Russia has escalated its premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified war on Ukraine, striking hospitals, demolishing schools, leveling civilian infrastructure, and killing hundreds of civilians. As Ukrainian forces bravely continue to combat Russia’s renewed invasion, the United States and its Allies and partners …

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Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Nicaragua’s Sham Elections

NOVEMBER 07, 2021• STATEMENTS AND RELEASES What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic.  The arbitrary imprisonment of nearly 40 opposition figures since May, including seven potential presidential candidates, and the blocking of political parties from participation rigged …

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The United States Donates Half a Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses to Costa Rica

Press Release Tuesday, July 13, 2021 The United States Embassy in San Jose is pleased to announce the arrival of half a million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses at Juan Santamaria Airport on July 13, donated to Costa Rica by the United States Government as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s global vaccine sharing framework. The donation …

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Funding for English Language, STEAM, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Media Literacy/Countering Disinformation Programs

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program (or project) in one or more of the following focus areas: Improve the quality of English language education at the preschool, elementary, secondary and higher education levels; …

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Federal Aviation Administration Upgrades Costa Rica’s Safety Assessment Rating

FAA News Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC 20591 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 11, 2021 Contact: Pressoffice@faa.gov Federal Aviation Administration Upgrades Costa Rica’s Safety Assessment Rating WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that the Republic of Costa Rica complies with international safety standards and has been granted the …

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Joe Biden sworn in as 46th U.S. president

Joseph R. Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, January 20. Minutes before, Kamala D. Harris took the oath of office to become the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected vice president. “We’ll be a strong and trusted …

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United States Supports Costa Rica to Purchase Police Vessels

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires (CdA) Gloria Berbena highlights the United States’ role in the Ministry of Public Security’s purchase of three vessels from the U.S. company Metal Shark, a firm specialized in the design of vessels for law enforcement purposes. CdA Berbena indicated that for decades both Costa Rica and the United States have fought …

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Cessna Grand Caravan Added to Ministry of Public Security’s Aerial Fleet

With the assistance of the United States, the Aerial Surveillance Service (SVA) is adding a new aircraft to facilitate law enforcement and counter-narcotics operations and a new hangar for the U.S. embassy-supported fleet of four UH-1ST helicopters that participate in counter-narcotics operations. The Cessna Grand Caravan will support the Ministry of Public Security Air Surveillance …

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Modernization of the Murcielago Police Training Center

The U.S. Embassy supports the professionalization of Costa Rican police forces. Thanks to this support and a donation of more than USD $1 million, the dormitories for female officers were remodeled and a 59-foot high rappelling tower was built at the Murcielago Police Training Center. “The work we do together is vital to ensuring the …

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San Carlos, Heredia, Cartago and Desamparados Have More Voices against Domestic Violence

Thanks to the program Hacete Escuchar (“Make Yourself Heard”) developed by U.S. Embassy San Jose’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) office, 296 young people received virtual training to learn to detect domestic violence, seek help, develop self-esteem, build trust, recognize signs of abusive relationships, learn about 9-1-1, and how not to be afraid to …

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Students and Professors Receive Supplies for Their Return to the Classrooms

The Office of Defense Representative’s Humanitarian Assistance Program, the Humanitarian Assistance Bureau of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are assisting Costa Rican students and professors so that  they have personal hygiene supplies when they return to in-person instruction in classrooms. U.S. SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Craig …

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Offices of Women’s Affairs Across the Country Receive Personal Protection Equipment

The U.S. Embassy’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) donated hand sanitizer, gloves, face shields and digital thermometers to Offices of Women’s Affairs located in 72 municipalities nationwide. The donation, valued at USD 8,700, brings support to the vital work that the Office of Women’s Affairs performs in the country.  The office …

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U.S. Embassy Donates School Supplies

Students from Pochotal School in Jaco received school supplies that will facilitate and improve their learning process. Thanks to the United States Embassy Office of Defense Representative Humanitarian Assistance Program, students have now iPads, scientific calculators, fans, tables, folding chairs, dry erase boards, backpacks, hand sanitizers, soccer balls, and other supplies valued at USD 15,000. …

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Indigenous Community Rey Curre Receives Donation from the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy donated personal protection equipment to nine schools from indigenous territories of the Brunca Region in the southern zone of Costa Rica. The donation done through the Office of Defense Representative Humanitarian Assistance Program includes hand washing stations, face shields, digital thermometers, paper towels, liquid soap, gel sanitizer, surgical masks, cloth masks, gloves, …

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The United States Donates Medical Supplies to Costa Rica

Tuesday, September 10, 2020 Press Release The U.S. Embassy donated medical supplies to the National Emergencies Committee (CNE) through the U.S. Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Program. The donation includes: 40,300 surgical masks 6,700 N95 masks 6,000 face shields 165 portable hand washing stations 16 field tents for 16 people 10 field tents for 40 people. …

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Funding for English Language, STEAM & Entrepreneurship Programs

Notice of Funding Opportunity  Funding Opportunity Title:  Funding for English Language, STEAM & Entrepreneurship Programs Funding Opportunity Number: 4112-FY20-01 Deadline for Applications: July 8, 2020 CFDA Number: 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs Total Amount Available: $100,000 (minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per award) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition …

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Donation for the CNE

The U.S. Embassy’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) donated 1,200 reusable protective face shields to Costa Rica’s National Commission for Risk Prevention and Disaster Response (CNE). The donation is for all member institutions of the National Risk Management System, currently attending the pandemic caused by COVID19 in the country. The face shields are valued …

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U.S. scientists work tirelessly on coronavirus vaccines

By Dave Reynolds -Mar 19, 2020 U.S. innovators are rushing to combat the new coronavirus, with vaccines already in development and new treatment options being tested in the United States and Asia. The rapid response received a boost this month as President Trump signed into law $8.3 billion in federal funds to fight COVID-19. The …

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Municipalities Have New Motorcycles to Protect Their Communities

The Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) donated six Suzuki DR-650 motorcycles to the municipalities of Alajuelita, Mora and Desamparados. Each municipality received two motorcycles that, according to mayors, will support and improve their citizen security programs.

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News Release: USNS Comfort Mission Stops Announced

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Operations Release No: 19-008 May 23, 2019 MIAMI – The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) will return for another deployment to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean mid-June to begin a five-month medical assistance mission as a result of the humanitarian crisis created by the ongoing political and economic …

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Five Exceptional Costa Rican Students to Study in the United States

In 2012, the U.S. Embassy created a special scholarship program for students at Costa Rica’s Scientific High Schools. The Embassy created this program to give exceptional Costa Rican students an opportunity to develop their English skills while learning more about U.S. culture. This year, 5 students received the scholarship, which means they will have the …

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The New Youth Ambassadors Are from Perez Zeledon

Nine young students from Perez Zeledon are participating in the Department of State Youth Ambassadors exchange program. These students participate in workshops, community service activities, team-building exercises, and meetings with community leaders in Iowa and Chicago. Once students return to Costa Rica, they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned during the exchange …

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