Will DIMEX be digitized?
What is a DIMEX? In the simplest terms, DIMEX is the ID card that the Costa Rican government issues to foreigners. The acronym stands for Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros, or Immigration Identity Document for
What is a DIMEX?
In the simplest terms, DIMEX is the ID card that the Costa Rican government issues to foreigners. The acronym stands for Documento de Identidad Migratorio para Extranjeros, or Immigration Identity Document for Foreigners. A DIMEX is issued for Permanent and Temporary Residents as well as Special Categories.
This document was implemented in 2008 as the personal identification for people residing legally in Costa Rica, and it contains 12 numerical digits, a photograph of the foreigner, and their signature. This official document allows foreigners with residency to conduct transactions in Costa Rican public institutions and banks.
According to reports made by the Ministry of Security, the DIMEX has helped to reduce bank fraud, as the computer system of the banks are linked with those from the Immigration Department (DGME), allowing them to secure the signature and photograph of DIMEX holders.
Will there be a digital DIMEX?
Currently, there is only the DIMEX in physical format. However, on September 28, 2022, the DGME published Resolution No.DJUR-0144-09-2022-LSS, which states clear expectations of the possibility of having a digital DIMEX in the near future.
According to Costa Rican law, one of the duties of the government is to promote the incorporation of modern technology in public administration and streamline its services. Likewise, in several rulings the Constitutional Chamber has established that the DGME is enabled to comply internally with these guidelines and provide more efficient services to the needs of the users.
It is for this reason that the Immigration Department proposes a change in the current format of the DIMEX. The changes proposed include a virtual PDF document, which would contain a QR code with security features and encrypted information that guarantees the verification of the foreigner’s identity.
According to the proposal, the DGME will carry out a controlled transition to execute the virtual DIMEX, its new design, and security features, while the Costa Rican government formalizes the project.
