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The British Embassy in San Jose maintains and develops relations between the UK and Costa Rica.
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Explanation of the legal and prison system to British nationals in Costa Rica.
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Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad
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Advice to British people affected by crises abroad such as large-scale terrorist attacks, natural disasters and political unrest, and how the FCDO can help.
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This page lists guidance on how you can help yourself stay safe abroad, and the help the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.
UK help and services in Costa Rica
Services if you're visiting, studying, working or living in Costa Rica. Includes information about trading with and doing business in the UK and Costa Rica.
Get help if you're the victim of crime, you've been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad.
Includes how to cancel a lost passport, renew a passport and apply for an emergency travel document.
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You can apply for or renew a British passport while you're visiting the UK - as long as you expect to be in the UK for long enough
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What you need to do if your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel urgently.
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Renew, replace or apply for an adult or child British passport if you’re living abroad or working overseas - forms, prices, how long it takes
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Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and have not got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings
Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.
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Latest FCDO travel advice for Costa Rica. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
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Find out how to get the documents you’ll need to get married or form a civil partnership overseas and how much they’ll cost.
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How to minimise your risk, and what to do if there's a terrorist attack.
Get a visa to study, work or visit the UK.
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You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.
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How to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help with your application or immigration account, from inside and outside the UK.
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Get your documents returned if you've made a UK visa, immigration or citizenship application but need them back urgently
Includes how to access healthcare, get a document legalised, lists of lawyers and how to vote abroad.
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Latest FCDO travel advice for Costa Rica. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
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List of English-speaking lawyers for British nationals in Costa Rica.
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List of medical facilities for British nationals in Costa Rica.
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Use the online service to get a UK document legalised.
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Essential information for British nationals residing in Costa Rica, covering topics like driving, employment, the health system and schools.
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Find English-speaking lawyers, doctors and medical facilities, interpreters and translators, and funeral directors overseas.
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Find out what benefits you might be able to receive while you’re abroad and how to export them from the UK or claim them while abroad
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Find out how to vote in UK elections if you move or live abroad, including eligibility, registering to vote and renewing your registration.
Includes how to pay tax, claim State Pension and get tax credits abroad.
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Benefits you can claim if you go abroad and countries with social security arrangements with the UK
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What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council
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Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or in the country you are visiting when you work abroad.
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How to claim State Pension if you're overseas - payment, tax, change of circumstances - contact the International Pension Centre
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Tax credits if you live abroad, go travelling, are a cross-border worker or subject to immigration control
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Find out whether you need to pay UK tax on foreign income - residence and ‘non-dom’ status, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice (including certificates of residence)
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Find out whether you need to pay tax on your UK income while you're living abroad - non-resident landlord scheme, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice, personal allowance of tax-free income, form R43
Includes how to get married, list of funeral directors and how to register a birth abroad.
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Information to help the friends and family of British nationals who have died in Costa Rica.
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List of funeral directors for British nationals in Costa Rica.
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Find out how to get the documents you’ll need to get married or form a civil partnership overseas and how much they’ll cost.
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Parents must register the birth in the country where the child was born - find out if you can also register the birth in the UK.
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Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.
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Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and deal with the estate.
Find out about the UK government's diplomatic, security and development work in Costa Rica.
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Updates, news and events from the UK government in Costa Rica
Includes investing and setting up a business in the UK and doing business in Costa Rica.
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DBT provides trade and investment services and practical support. We help UK companies succeed in Costa Rica, and Costa Rican companies set up and invest in the UK.
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Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Costa Rica.
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What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits
Includes contact details, opening hours and consular fees and local services.
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The British Embassy in San Jose maintains and develops relations between the UK and Costa Rica.
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This page lists guidance on how you can help yourself stay safe abroad, and the help the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.