September 2018 Immigration Update
September 2018- Panama lawyers
Easier entry requirements
As of August 8, 2018, Executive Decree 521 came into effect. This indicates that any person with citizenship from a county requiring a Visa (stamped or authorised), but that already has a visa for
- Australia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Canada
- United States of America
- United Kingdom or
- European Union
may enter Panama directly without this visa, so LONG as their visa for the above nations:
- has been used to enter that nation
- is still valid for at least another 6 months.
This is expected to increase the tourism to Panama for those who already have visas for countries with strict biometric & security controls.
Panama Consulate in New Delhi & Mumbai
September 2018 – We are very pleased to advise that it is now possible to apply ONLINE for an appointment with the Panamanian Consulate for the Stamped Visa.
As we have previously explained, since Decree 113 of 2013, citizens of India no longer require an Authorised visa, but rather only a stamped visa. 
We have received numerous complaints from people in India that the Panamanian Consulate was responding that they were not able to give them an appointment for this. This has now been added to the website of the Immigration Department (link above), so that you can now request (online) the appointment, and it will give you the date of the appointment and the list of requirements for the documentation that you need to present when you go.
At the Consulate, they will review the documentation & requirements, and upon due consideration issue a Stamped Visa. This may be valid for multiple entries and exits for up to a maximum of three (3) years.
The cost should not exceed $50.00, according to Executive Decree 320 of 2008.
This is a big improvement from last month, when it was still not possible to get the online appointments through the system.
Minera Panama – illegal workers
After many allegations and complaints, the Ministry of Labour finally did an inspection at Minera Panama and found 52 illegal immigrants working there. Allegations were that there were thousands of foreign illegal workers.
Venezuelan crisis
This month started with international meetings of most heads of Latin America discussing the measures to be adopted in order to deal with the Venezuelan immigrant crisis caused by the continuing situation in Venezuela. While Maduro continues to sustain that there is no immigrant crisis (it’s “fake news”), all surrounding countries, even down to Chile are struggling to deal with the waves of citizens intent on leaving the country, even without proper documentation or identification. The meeting was attended by delegates from Argentina, Brasil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Mexico and others from the region who are all concerned about the risks of trafficking, exploitation and extortion.