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August Immigration Update:
In this August immigration update, we provide updates on what is happening in Panama immigration. We also provide our latest video update regarding the Pensionado Visa, with some commonly asked questions.
The short of it
Due to the ongoing crisis in Nicaragua, Panama has seen another influx of Nicaraguan nationals, looking for jobs and to relocate away from the violence.
In the last couple of days we’ve seen the hot topic of 8 foreigners picked up in Costa Rica («coming from Panama»), allegedly wanted to terrorism. The Panamanian immigration department issued a formal communique, indicating that these 8 were attempting to enter Panama from Costa Rica. They were turned around at the border and told to return to Costa Rica and were not allowed through. They were then detained by the Costa Rican authorities.
Following up ons previous new regarding revoked visas, so far the Immigration office has revoked over 1,000 applications for fraudulent documentation. On August 1st, the Immigration office posted an edict of 330 revoked visas, which were mainly to Venezuelan citizens, but there were also other nationalities involved.
In the first 6 months of the year, the immigration office picked up over 1,500 foreigners for working illegally, being involved in trafficking, or for having criminal backgrounds, among other reasons.
Preparing for Chinese Tourists
Panama prepares various sectors for the espected influx of Chinese tourists after the change in visa requirements in September 2017. The first training, to be held on August 14, will be run by the Tourism Authority. The first will be for private enterprises and then a second training for public officials of Customs, Immigration & the Tourism Police. This is a recognition of the changing nature of the tourism in Panama and that Panama specifically needs to prepare for the type of tourist that will be arriving. The first trainings will be held in Atlapa, for tour operators, travel agencies and those who are expected to be first points of contact with Chinese tourists. Panama hopes that for 2018 Panama will receive over 50,000 Chinese tourists (and possibly as many as 150,000 for 2019).
Our focus this month: Pensionado Visa
For more information regarding the Pensioner Visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.