How we check every guide
Every rule on Second Flag links to the source it came from, official sources come first, and anything we could not confirm is labelled as such.
Source-checkedOfficial sources firstUnconfirmed rules are labelledHow we checkWhat the seal promises
- Official sources first. Rules come from laws, official gazettes and immigration and tax agencies. Guides, news and residents' reports fill gaps and are labelled.
- Every rule shows its status. You can see which rules we checked against the law and which we have not confirmed yet.
- No guessed totals. We never add up a tax bill when any part of it is unconfirmed, and we flag bills that are not yet law as pending.
- A date on every guide. Each guide says when its sources were last checked.
The labels you will see
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Checked against the law | We read the rule in the law or the official agency's own page and link to it. |
| Not yet verified | A credible source states it, but we have not yet found it in an official text. Treat it as likely, not certain. |
| Not established yet | We could not find a reliable answer. Ask the agency or a lawyer before you rely on it. |
| Pending change | A bill or announced change that is not law yet. The current rule still applies. |
| Residents' reports | Experiences from people who live there, such as safety impressions or how a neighbourhood feels. Useful, but one person's view. |
Sources behind each live guide
Counts come from our research files; "official" means a law, gazette or government agency.
| Guide | Sources | Official | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 25 | 24 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Colombia | 18 | 17 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Costa Rica | 20 | 19 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Panama | 28 | 28 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Paraguay | 25 | 25 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Bolivia | 79 | 68 | 12 Nov 2026 |
| Ecuador | 19 | 9 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Uruguay | 37 | 36 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Argentina | 26 | 22 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Belize | 21 | 18 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Dominican Republic | 25 | 24 | 13 Nov 2026 |
| La Paz city guide | 59 | Mixed | 13 Nov 2026 |
When sources disagree, the official one wins
Some countries are researched more than once by independent research runs, and the results are compared claim by claim. When they disagree, we go back to the official source and keep what it says; if there is no official answer, we show both and label the rule as not established. Among the live guides, this cross-check has been done for Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica so far.
What the guides are not
The guides explain the rules; they are not legal or tax advice for your situation. Before you apply for residency or file taxes, confirm the details with the agency, a lawyer or a tax adviser.
Spotted something wrong?
Let us know. We will recheck the source and update the guide and its date.