A positive report on seeking a U.S. visitor's visa

By: Garland M. Baker B.

Exclusive to A.M. Costa Rica 

Editor's Note: While this article was accurate at the time of publication, some information may now be outdated. We are currently preparing a comprehensive update. Sign up for our Alerts to be notified as soon as the revised content is live!

A long-time friend asked for a recommendation letter last week, so she could apply for her U. S. visa. Reluctantly, this author agreed to provide the letter. She picked it up and nervously went off to her appointment that she scheduled months ago. Expats complain all the time they cannot get their girlfriends or boyfriends visas to the United States. A single woman, like the friend, would seem to be a certain refusal.

The woes of those seeking U.S. visas were outlined here in a 2007 article, “Burden of evidence is on those seeking a U.S. visa.”

Lawyers love to make simple things complicated

By: Garland M. Baker B.

Exclusive to A.M. Costa Rica

Editor's Note: While this article was accurate at the time of publication, some information may now be outdated. We are currently preparing a comprehensive update. Sign up for our Alerts to be notified as soon as the revised content is live!

Many times going to see a lawyer in Costa Rica is like taking a science lesson. Every so often, they tend to make any discussion about the law or a legal matter very complex. They love to write out lengthy descriptions of legal procedures on blackboards or whiteboards.

There are times when this is important. A thorough explanation of a subject needs to be outlined in detail, so a client can understand the facts. This is especially the case for many expats who do not speak Spanish — or are up in their years — to grasp the intricacies of a situation or a legal case. This is not true in many other matters. A simple explanation is better. Most importantly, many expats prefer a succinct discussion to a long, drawn out one.