Changes to the migratory process when entering or leaving Costa Rica aim to increase the security controls and speed up the transit of travelers through the terminal, according to the Costa Rican General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, the new system and process have been in place for a month.

The director of Migration affirmed that since the new system was implemented they have registered 14 security alerts, two of travelers that needed to be investigated, one with a lost document report, four with stolen documents, one for murder, two with an arrest warrant, three for information and one due to a criminal cause. In addition, 68 people were detected who had legal restriction not being allowed to leave the country.

The system used before was 20 years old and therefore had serious flaws and weaknesses in the adequate migratory control.

With the new process passengers go straight to the counter to check in, then they go through migratory control, the line for people traveling with minors was eliminated, travelers coming to the country no longer have to fill up the paper form (TIE), instead the migration officer will conduct a brief (under 1 minute) interview to validate the information. All travel documents are checked through the new digital system.

The airport will be installing next year kiosks for travelers to do everything electronically.