Need Some Advice

doggg wrote:

A few years ago I met my now-current wife in New Jersey.
She became pregnant here, but left to go home with family toward the end of her pregnancy.
About a year later I married her in costa rica.
Our plan was for me to work here, do her immigration papers getting her a visa, and support her from here.
I visited many times.
I have supported the both of them financially, called every night, etc..
She was recently approved for the visa.
However, our relationship has deteriorated due to the months at a time we have been apart.
She was distant and cold on my last visit, and I think she may have a boyfriend, even.
I do not believe she will be coming here any time soon.

My daughter is growing up fast, and I plan on being a major presence in her life and raising her.
I want to move to costa rica.
However, I am not sure how to go about this.
The website seems to indicate that because i am married, i cannot simply apply for a permanent resident status, but must become a temp first?
Is that right, despite my daughter being there?

That is pretty disconcerting.
The requirements for those visas seem excessive, financially, as I do not have a pension or a guaranteed income in costa rica.
I work as a night supervisor in a supermarket here in the states.
I do not even speak spanish well

I'd like some clarification on this.
And advice, if possible.

Hi dogg -
First, some clarifications please.  Your daughter was born "here" - in Costa Rica, or in NJ?  Your wife is Costa Rican, and living in CR?
If your daughter is Costa Rican, and you are listed as the father on her birth certificate (NOT a given, so make sure of this), then you are related by first blood to a Costa Rican and can gain permanent residency that way.
Please advise if this is not the case.
good luck,
Julie

My daughter was born in costa rica, and has my last name, and me listed as father.
My wife is costa rican, and living in costa rica.
Yes.

This is excellent news for you then!  Apply for permanent residency based on your relationship to your daughter.  It's the easiest and fasted path - no money requirements, very few problems.  Many people do this without a lawyer.  You will still need all the documents and have to go through the process, but you're pretty much a shoo-in.  And, since family law trumps immigration law, you will likely have permission (perhaps only implicit) to work right away, and also likely to not have to leave CR to renew a tourist visa. (these last two are fine lines, so carry a small risk)

What I know you will need:
- certified copy of your birth certificate, certified by that secretary of state and then certified by the CR consulate that is responsible for that state
- police letter of good conduct from the state where you live (with all the same certifications as above)
- copy of your daughter's CR birth certificate
- fingerprints taken at the SJ police station (they will use them to get an interpol report, which is included in your immigration package)
- a letter stating your wish to immigrate

There may be more items needed, but those are the big ones.  Note that all documents must be less than 6 months old (from the date issued to you) when you submit the package to immigration.
Note also that your relationship to your wife is not part of the equation.  That obviously doesn't help in your personal life, but is one less anxiety for your immigration.

more info here:
http://arcr.net/residency/requireddocuments.html
(ignore the bits about documents and money needed for pensionado and rentista)

This information you gave was invaluable.
Thank you!!

I plan on getting the fingerprints and police record right away.

I was talking to my wife's relatives, who tell me that a job in a calling center would be a good start for me.
That if you are american you get hired in a snap.
What other kind of work could an american do?

Unfortunately, I don't really have info on jobs.  I have heard of a few things, but I don't know any details (and in some cases, have no idea what it even means).
- on-line gambling centers
- call centers
- teaching English
- tourism industry (guides, etc)
- if you have any technology background, CR has a lot of companies in high-tech
- if you have a background in construction/plumbing/electricity, you stand a good chance of work, especially among the expats

Keep your eyes peeled for bilingual job faires - they happen quite often in SJ and Alajuela, and probably elsewhere.

Good luck with your situation. Before you move down make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and expectations. Once here you will be subjected to Costa Rican laws and your financial responsibilities to both will be written in blood and should thing not workout with your wife, going back home will not be so easy.