Demonstration Alert

Demonstration Alert – U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica November 21, 2023 Location:  Near the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Via 104 near Plaza del Oeste in the Pavas neighborhood.   Event(s):  A demonstration is expected to take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21 near the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa …

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Security Alert: Areas of Increased Caution

Security Alert – U. S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica (August 15, 2023) Location: Locations throughout Costa Rica.  See link to map below. Event:  There is no change to the Travel Advisory level for Costa Rica, which remains at Level 2:  Exercise Increased Caution.  In addition, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens that it has established …

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Welcome to the Quarterly U.S. Citizen Newsletter

Stay up to date on key topics important to the U.S. citizen community in Costa Rica   Introducing the U.S. Citizen Services Navigator: Need to contact the U.S. Embassy? Please use our U.S. Citizens Services Navigator to schedule an appointment or contact us. This is the most efficient and fastest way to reach the American Citizen Services unit Beach …

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Health Alert: U.S. Embassy, San Jose

Location: Countrywide  Event: During the last six weeks, three adults have had fatal infections with Rickettsiosis rickettsii disease in areas just east and south of San Jose in Cartago and Aserri.  Rickettsiosis rickettsii, also called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), is transmitted by ticks.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that severe illness is …

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Weather Alert for U.S. Citizens – Hurricane Season 2023 

U.S. Embassy San Jose  June 12, 2023  The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the Hurricane Season which lasts through November 2023.  Hurricane Season in the Atlantic began June 1 and runs through November 30. The  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center  expects the 2023 season to be near-normal or average.  NOAA predicts that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will …

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Health Alert: U.S. Embassy, San Jose

Location: Countrywide  Event:  There have been reports of an increase in the number of Malaria cases in Costa Rica. Though these cases have been reported primarily in the Caribbean province of Limon, there is an increased risk anywhere in Costa Rican, especially in coastal or low-lying zones. Malaria is a  mosquito-borne disease caused by a …

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Security Alert: Crime in Costa Rica

Security Alert: U.S. Embassy, San Jose, Costa Rica (March 1, 2023)  Location: San Jose and generally in Costa Rica. Event: The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica advises U.S. citizens of increasing levels of crime, particularly violent crime, in Costa Rica and specifically San Jose. For this reason, the Embassy would like to remind you of …

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Message for U.S. Citizens: Avoiding Road Rage San Jose Metropolitcan Area

The Embassy has received increased reporting of road rage incidents in the metropolitan San Jose area.  The U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration defines road rage as “anassault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”  These assaults can take the form of aggressive driving with the intent to cause harm or fear, verbal …

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Important information from the Federal Benefits Unit for beneficiaries of Social Security in Costa Rica

Important Message to Social Security Beneficiaries in Costa Rica The U.S. Embassy in San Jose is sharing important information from the Federal Benefits Unit for beneficiaries of Social Security. If you receive Social Security benefits and live in Costa Rica, you may need to contact the Embassy’s Federal Benefits Unit to continue receiving benefits. In addition …

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Important Message for Social Security beneficiaries in Costa Rica:

If you receive Social Security benefits and live in Costa Rica, you may need to contact the embassy’s Federal Benefits Unit to continue receiving benefits. The Social Security Administration resumed mailing Foreign Enforcement Questionnaires [forms SSA-7161 (Pdf – 74 KB) and SSA-7162 (Pdf – 59 KB)] in late June 2022.  Forms were mailed to individuals whose last two …

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Welcome to the December 2022- Quarterly U.S. Citizen newsletter!

Stay up to date on key topics important to the U.S. citizen community in Costa Rica  HAPPY HOLIDAYS – The U.S. Embassy wishes you and your family a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!  HELP YOUR FELLOW U.S. CITIZENS – Become a Citizen Liaison Volunteer A Citizen Liaison Volunteer (CLV) is a key component …

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Weather Alert: US Embassy Costa Rica

U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica Weather Alert Location: Throughout the country Event: The National Hurricane Center is tracking the development of a tropical storm forming in the southwestern Caribbean Sea that could strike Costa Rica. This storm is expected to become Hurricane Julia by Saturday night as it approaches the coast of Costa Rica. It …

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Absentee Voting Week is October 1-8, 2022.

Be an Active Voter by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2022 U.S. elections and participating in Absentee Voting Week! In some states voter registration and ballot request deadlines for the November 2022 are as early as October 5th.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in …

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Welcome to the September 2022- Quarterly U.S. Citizen newsletter!

Stay up to date on key topics important to the U.S. citizen community in Costa Rica: Welcome to the Quarterly U.S. Citizen newsletter! Stay up to date on key topics important to the U.S. citizen community in Costa Rica September 2022 Edition Costa Rica’s pristine coasts and natural parks attract tourists from around the world.  …

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Registering to vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world! 

Start by confirming your voter registration with your state.  Some states require absentee voters to register annually so you may need to re-register.  Go to  FVAP.gov  to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more.  Once you confirm your registration, follow a few simple steps to vote in the …

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Message for U.S. Citizens: Worldwide Caution

On July 31, 2022, the United States conducted a precision counterterrorism strike in Afghanistan that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s deputy and successor as leader of al-Qa’ida.  Al- Zawahiri was one of the masterminds of the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, and had continued to urge his followers to attack …

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Weather Alert

June 29, 2022 Location: Throughout the country Event: The U.S. National Hurricane Center and Costa Rica’s National Commission on Risk Prevention and Emergency Response (CNE) are tracking the development of a tropical storm forming in the southern Caribbean Sea that could affect Costa Rica. This event is projected to bring heavy rain to parts of …

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Welcome to the Second Quarterly U.S. Citizen newsletter!

Stay up to date on key topics important to the U.S. citizen community in Costa Rica:   AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Happy Fourth of July – The United States celebrates the Fourth of July to honor the birthday of the United States and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. Independence Day is …

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Launch of Pay.gov DS-82 Passport Renewal Online Fee Payment Program

Message for U.S. Citizens The Department of State is pleased to announce that U.S. Embassy San Jose will begin supporting online payment for DS-82 passport renewal fees.  Qualified applicants will no longer need to make an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy.  Beginning March 21, 2022, passport applicants wishing to pay for their DS-82 renewal …

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Event: Travel Advisory – Costa Rica Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to Costa Rica due to COVID-19.  Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime. Read the Department of State’s  COVID-19 page  before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4  Travel Health Notice for Costa Rica  due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.  Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms …

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Event: Travel Advisory – Costa Rica Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica (January 19, 2022) Reconsider travel to Costa Rica due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime.    Read the Department of State’s  COVID-19 page  before you plan any international travel.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a  Level 3 Travel Health Notice  for Costa Rica due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country. …

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Registering to Vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world!

Start by confirming your voter registration with your state.  Some states require absentee voters to register annually so you may need to re-register.  Go to  FVAP.gov  to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more.  Once you confirm your registration, follow a few simple steps to vote in the …

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Message For U.S. Citizens: Travel to the United States on Expired U.S. Passports

Message to U.S. Citizens:  U.S. Embassy San Jose (January 3, 2022) Location:  Costa Rica Subject:  Travel to the United States on Expired U.S. Passports If you are overseas and your U.S. passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States …

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RESIDENTS of TEXAS: UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION

Register and Request Your Absentee Ballot Now for this Upcoming Election: March 1, 2022: Texas Primary Election The State of Texas will conduct a primary election for U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Service members, eligible family members, and overseas citizens can register to vote between January 1 and February 9, 2022. Voters …

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Message For U.S. Citizens:  U.S. Embassy San Jose (17 December 2021)

 Location: Worldwide  Event:  Passport Fee Increase Effective December 27, 2021 Effective December 27, 2021, the passport security surcharge will increase from $60 to $80 for U.S. passport applicants using the DS-82 form or the DS-11 form, including first-time applicants over age 16, children under age 16, and applicants who apply after reporting their previous passport lost …

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Enroll in or update your information in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose is conducting an annual verification of STEP enrollments. Please log in to your STEP account to verify that your profile, phone numbers, email address, travel dates, and location in Costa Rica are up-to-date. If you are visiting or living in Costa Rica, and have not yet enrolled in STEP , we strongly …

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RESIDENTS of FLORIDA AND OHIO: UPCOMMING SPECIAL ELECTIONS

Register and request an absentee ballot now for these special Congressional elections:   November 2, 2021: Florida Special Primary Election in U.S. Congressional District 20 November 2, 2021: Ohio Special General Election in U.S. Congressional Districts 11 & 15 January 11, 2022:  Florida Special General Election in U.S. Congressional District 20 If you would like …

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Weather Alert

July 23, 2021 Location: Costa Rica Event: Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE) has placed all of Costa Rica under weather alerts due to heavy and persistent rainfall for the next 12 to 24 hours.  The entire Caribbean and Northern regions of the country are currently under an Orange Alert, indicating there may be localized evacuations or …

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Safe Tourists

The United States Embassy joined the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), the National Tourist Security Council (CONSETUR), and the National Women Institute (INAMU) to create the Guide to Good Security Practices in Tourism Operations, a document that supports the work of tourism services operators on safety and security issues. These guides will contribute to enhancing …

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RESIDENTS OF TEXAS AND OHIO: UPCOMMING SPECIAL ELECTIONS

Submit your absentee ballot now in these special elections for federal office: July 27, 2021: Texas Special Runoff Election in U.S. Congressional District 6 August 3, 2021: Ohio Special Primary Election in U.S. Congressional District 11 & 15 If you would like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or need help with the …

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Residents of Texas and Louisiana: Upcoming Special Elections

RESIDENTS OF TEXAS AND LOUISIANA: UPCOMING SPECIAL ELECTIONS Submit your absentee ballot now in these special elections for federal office: The following states have elections in the next 90 days: March 20, 2021: Louisiana Special Primary Elections in U.S. Congressional Districts 2* and 5** May 1, 2021: Texas Special Election in U.S. Congressional District 6*** …

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