In this November 2018 immigration update we look at:
- the latest OECD blacklist mentioning Panama’s residency & passport options
- Opening of the Humanitarian Affairs Office at the Immigration Department
- Arrest in Darien
- JMJ 2019 – new online applications for visas
- 5-year multiple entry permits for China, Cuba, Venezuela, India & Dominican Republic
- New Free Zone within Tocumen International Airport
Golden passport blacklist
Having worked to get off the banking blacklists – Panama now finds itself on a new OECD blacklist. 21 countries have been blacklisted by the OECD for their “golden passport” programs. These offer residency and naturalization, without having a requirement for a minimum number of days that the new resident must actually live in the country. Panama, for example, offers the Friendly Nations visa. This visa requires only a personal bank account with $5,000.00, in order to get permanent residency. After five years of permanent residency, the immigrant may apply to become a Panamanian citizen. After going through this process (possibly another 3-4 years), the applicant obtains their Panamanian passport. It is not obligatory to apply for citizenship.
The complaint from the OECD is that while many immigrants to Panama use this residency program for legitimate purposes, as Panama does not have a requirement that residents live within Panama for a minimum number of days each year, it is possible for a “resident” to simply visit Panama once a year, while continuing to live in another country. However, for banking purposes, they may present their Panamanian residency documentation, showing that they are resident in Panama – and thus avoiding CRS reporting.
Criticisms
It has not been my experience that this is what the visa is actually used for.
Typically, clients obtain the friendly nations visa to reside in Panama. It is the quickest and overall least expensive option for residency, as long as they qualify. Some of these live in Panama less than 6 months out of the year, because they do business internationally. But they are not actually resident any where else either.
They are literally spending most of their time in the air, between countries!
For others, they may live between Panama and another country, spending 3-4 months of the year in their “home” country, a couple of months travelling (as they are retired) and the winter months in Panama. But I don’t personally know of any clients that are actually living in their home country, using their Panamanian residence to avoid CRS reporting!
November 2018 immigration update
Humanitarian Affairs Office
The immigration office opened a Humanitarian Affairs Office. This office receives requests and applications from Venezuelans – legally resident in Panama – for family members to join them here in Panama. This follows on from talks about how to deal with the continuing crisis in Venezuela.
To date, some 94,000 Venezuelans have moved to Panama – and countries throughout Latin America have seen a 64% increase in asylum requests. There are some 3 million Venezuelans living throughout Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama and other Latin American countries.
JMJ 2019 – visa applications November 2018 immigration update
The immigration department adopted a new online system for visa applications – specifically for countries where there is no Panamanian Consulate.
Applicants must present (online):
- application form
- passport copy
- payment receipt for the JMJ – for the applicant’s group
- JMJ certification from the group coordinator – to be confirmed here in Panama
Darien arrest November 2018 immigration update
Following on from arrests in Chiriqui of a human trafficking ring, one arrest was made in the Darien of a man assisting 5 Cubans to walk across the Darien Gap. This is the section of the Darien where the Inter-American highway has not been built – conserving the tropical rainforest.
5-year multiple entry permits November 2018 immigration update
This month the immigration office has issued clarifications regarding the 5-year multiple entry permits (stamped visas). These visas are being offered through the Panamanian Consulates in
- China
- India
- Cuba
- Venezuela
- Dominican Republic
While the stamped visa is valid for 5 years – it is only for 30-day tourism in Panama. That is, it is for multiple entries during the 5-year period – not a visa for a 5-year period.
Additionally, Panama is offering for Cubans a 30-day tourism card, which will be valid for a single trip. This is being offered through the Panamanian Consulate in Cuba, and relies on the applicant providing the relevant documentation to qualify.
Tocumen Airport – new Free Zone
The airport authority recently announced it is building a free zone facility within the airport, next to the cargo terminal. This facility will already be considered on the “other side” of customs. They hope to attract businesses for:
- import/export
- technology distribution
- light manufacturing
- pharmaceutical – bottling, etc.
- perishable goods
- spare parts
- cold storage for air-freight
For more information, please contact Joan Villanueva, immigration lawyer.