Costa Rica’s immigration offices (the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, DGME or “Migración”) open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and are closed on weekends. Appointments and questions go through the 1311 call center, which answers Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Besides the central offices in La Uruca, San José, Migración runs regional offices in Liberia, Limón, San Carlos, Paso Canoas, Puntarenas, Sarapiquí and Upala; their addresses, phones and service hours are below.
Migración office hours
The general schedule for the central and regional offices is Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Individual services keep shorter hours, and some need an appointment. At the central offices in La Uruca, San José, DGME publishes these hours:
| Service | Days | Hours | Appointment? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information | Monday–Friday | 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | No |
| Documentation (DIMEX) | Monday–Friday | 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon | Yes |
| Service platform | Monday–Friday | 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon | No |
| Visas | Monday–Friday | 7:00 a.m.–12:00 noon | No |
| Correos de Costa Rica window | Monday–Friday | 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | No |
| Exit permits for minors | Monday–Friday | 7:00 a.m.–12:00 noon | Yes |
DGME notes that the other service-platform procedures are handled by appointment through the 1311 call center or its web appointment portal at migracion.go.cr; filing an appeal (recurso) is the only service you can do with or without an appointment.
Is Migración open on Saturdays?
No. The offices work Monday to Friday only. On Saturdays the only DGME service open to the public is the 1311 call center, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; on Sundays it does not answer either.
Regional immigration offices: addresses and hours
These are DGME’s regional administrative offices, with the directions, phones and hours it published for 2026. Every regional office gives priority service early in the morning to older adults and people with disabilities.
| Office | Directions | Phone | Main hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberia (Chorotega) | 300 m south of Restaurante KCF, Liberia | 2666-4644 | First-time procedures 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; queries, previos and DIMEX delivery 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; spouse interviews Thursdays 9:00–10:30 a.m. by appointment. All services close 12:00–1:00 p.m. |
| Limón (Atlántica) | Limón centre, Calle 7, Avenida Lucas Daniel Alvarado, 175 m north of Palí, opposite Restaurante Me Encanta | 2798-2097 / 2106-4029 | Service platform 7:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m.; DIMEX first time and renewals 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. by appointment; spouse interviews Wednesdays 1:00–2:15 p.m. by appointment |
| San Carlos (Zona Norte) | Barrio El Carmen, opposite Colegio COTAI | 2106-4033, ext. 2273 | Service platform 7:00 a.m.–2:10 p.m.; spouse interviews Tuesdays (via 1311) and Wednesdays (via the web) by appointment |
| Paso Canoas (Zona Sur) | CATEM, Barrio El Carmen | 2106-4042 | Service platform Monday–Thursday 8:30–11:45 a.m. and 1:00–2:45 p.m.; spouse interviews Fridays 8:00–11:45 a.m. by appointment |
| Puntarenas (Pacífico Central) | Facing the Paseo de los Turistas, east side of the old police station | 2106-4027 | Files, previos and queries 8:20–11:40 a.m. and 1:00–2:40 p.m.; DIMEX renewal and duplicates Monday–Wednesday by appointment; spouse interviews Thursday–Friday 9:00–11:00 a.m. by appointment |
| Sarapiquí (Zona Norte) | 200 m northwest of the JSM gas station, upper floor of Edificio Beish | 2106-4030 | Service platform 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
| Upala (Zona Norte) | East side of Upala’s central park | 2470-0560 | Service platform 7:00 a.m.–1:20 p.m. |
Spouse interviews are for residency through marriage to a Costa Rican. Hours change, so check DGME’s current schedule before you travel to an office.
Migración phone numbers by region
Besides the 1311 call center, DGME lists these numbers for its regional offices, airports and border posts:
| Region | Office or post | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Central | Juan Santamaría airport | 2299-8001 / 2440-0504 |
| Central | Tobías Bolaños airport | 2232-9758 |
| Chorotega | Daniel Oduber airport | 2299-8008 |
| Chorotega | Liberia | 2666-4644 |
| Chorotega | Nicoya | 2686-4155 |
| Chorotega | Peñas Blancas | 2677-0230 |
| Huetar Atlántico | Limón | 2106-4029 / 2798-2097 |
| Huetar Atlántico | Sixaola | 2754-2044 |
| Huetar Norte | San Carlos | 2460-3044 / 2460-0805 |
| Huetar Norte | Upala | 2470-0560 |
| Huetar Norte | Los Chiles | 2471-1233 |
| Huetar Norte | Las Tablillas | 2299-8048 |
| Brunca | Golfito | 2775-0423 |
| Brunca | Paso Canoas | 2732-2150 / 2732-1534 |
| Brunca | Sabalito | 2784-0130 |
| Pacífico Central | Puntarenas | 2661-1446 / 2299-8002 |
At the central offices, DGME lists the Documentation Unit on 2299-8108, the Visa Unit on 2299-8129 and the Contraloría de Servicios, which handles complaints about service, on 2299-8109.
Which Migración email to use
DGME answers some questions by email. Write to the address for your exact topic:
- dimex@migracion.go.cr for questions about a first DIMEX, a renewal or a duplicate.
- certificacionstatus@migracion.go.cr only to request a certification of your immigration status.
- certificacionesmm@migracion.go.cr to request a certification of your entries and exits.
- previo_ccss@migracion.go.cr to request the resolution DGME issues before your Caja (CCSS) registration.
Questions to confirm before a visit
- Which office handles your exact service?
- Is an appointment required, and how is it requested?
- What is the full address and public entrance?
- Which original documents and copies should you carry?
- Does the applicant need to attend personally?
- What receipt or case number should you quote?
Physical and digital procedures can differ
DGME’s 2024 administrative resolution distinguishes physical and digital submissions. Follow the instructions for your file and any formal notice. A rule about one procedure should not be applied to every service.
If a website link fails, return to the official contact page and confirm the correct route. Avoid sending personal records to an address copied from an undated social-media post.
Keep a visit record
Save your appointment confirmation and a note of the service requested. After submitting documents, keep the receipt and follow-up instructions. If something is unclear, ask before leaving rather than assuming a verbal conversation completes the application.
Use the correct authority
DGME handles immigration. TSE handles nationality and civil-registration procedures. Other services, such as licensing, customs and social-security enrollment, have their own authorities. CRIE is a private immigration law firm, not part of DGME; for anything official, the DGME directory and the 1311 call center have the last word.
For file tracking, see checking application status.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number for Costa Rica immigration?
Dial 1311, Migración’s citizen-attention call center. It answers Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Is the immigration office open on Saturday?
No. Migración’s offices open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Only the 1311 call center works on Saturday mornings.
Do I need an appointment at Migración?
For many services, yes: DIMEX documentation, spouse interviews and minors’ exit permits all need one. Book through 1311 or DGME’s web appointment portal. Some desks, such as general information, take walk-ins.
Is there an immigration office in Liberia?
Yes. DGME’s Chorotega regional office is 300 m south of Restaurante KCF in Liberia, phone 2666-4644.
Sources: DGME, “Contáctenos” and its 2026 regional schedule (migracion.go.cr), checked 12 October 2026. Hours change; confirm with 1311 before you travel.