By José Quintero De León for La Prensa - Panama's National Direction of Immigration and Naturalization is investigating cases of falsified Panamanian visas as part of actions being taken to detect foreigners who have entered the country without complying with the law. Tayra Barsallo, the Assistant Director of Immigration, did not specify exactly how many people are under investigation, but specified that the falsification of immigration seals and Panamanian visas is occurring abroad (outside of Panama.) And, she exonerated from responsibility the national consulates outside of Panama. "We have not detected conspiracies between Panamanian authorities and the individuals who practice this crime," said Barsallo. She added they have already identified and captured illegal immigrants with false passports and others with falsified identities (identity theft) who have been arrested and deported. As of 24 April 2008, so far this year Immigration has deported 1,015 foreign citizens. Of them, 405 were Colombian, 48 Nicaraguan, 23 Peruvian, 24 Dominican, 16 Chinese, 9 Ecuadorian and 9 Salvadorans. Another 64 were deported from other countries. Barsallo explained that the remaining 417 never passed through the immigration controls at Tocumen Airport, and were returned to their countries of origin immediately.

Presidential candidate for the "Cambio Democratico" political party Ricardo Martinelli today criticized Panama's immigration policies, saying the current administration is driving away investment and diminishing opportunities to create jobs. He also said the offices of immigration are ripe for corruption because the decision to grant visas is left to the discretion of low ranking government employees. Martinelli used as an example the case of two Turkish foreigners who reside in the United States who were denied visas to enter the country to participate in the International Expocomer commercial fair. (more)

GENEVA, April 1 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency on Tuesday welcomed the Panamanian parliament's endorsement of legislation that will give many refugees who have been in the country since the Central American wars of the early 1980s the chance to apply for permanent residency. The National Assembly passed Bill 298 on the regularization of long-standing refugees in Panama on its third reading last week. The new law will give recognized refugees who have been in Panama for more than 10 years the right to apply for permanent residency. After five years of permanent residence, they will be able to apply for Panamanian nationality. "UNHCR welcomes this legal development, which offers long-term refugees an opportunity to settle fully in Panama," UNHCR spokeswoman, Jennifer Pagonis, told journalists in Geneva.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - This from Hunter Schultz - "Spent a few minutes at Migracion this am with a friend doing the tourist visa dance. Bottom line: Once your 90 days are up, you leave. No extensions. At least for Americans and Canadians anyway. There were more countries on the list so they are not targeting just a few. That's what they told us and it's printed on a little sign next to Window number 1. Cheers, Hunter" It's pretty clear now that the 30 - 60 thing is no longer an issue. You can come in as a tourist and stay for a maximum of 90 days total. There is no longer a need (as the law says) to apply for an extension at the 30 day point. But, when you hit 90 days you either have to have applied for some other status (or get the hell out.) Thanks for the update, Hunter.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By Ereida Prieto-Barreiro for Panama America - The new laws (by executive decree) to reform immigration and banking in Panama were ratified by the Executive Cabinet yesterday. The Second Vice President and Minister of the Presidency, Rubén Arosemena, said the law reforming immigration "will address new currents in immigration policy, since Panama has undergone an important evolution in this aspect". With regards to the banking reforms, the changes will "adapt and adequate Panamanian norms to international standards, through the fortification of the Superintendent of Banking." He also said the cabinet approved the purchase of the purchase of new products for the Ministry of Farming Development (MIDA) to lower the costs of basic food prices. Arosemena also said three loans from the Inter American Development Bank for more than $80 million dollars were approved. The first loan worth $1.6 million dollars is for the Indigenous Enterprise Development Program (PRODEI). Another loan worth $29 million dollars was for the Multiphase Development Program in Bocas del Toro. And the third worth more than $51 million dollars for the Competitiveness and Commercial Opening Program of the public services.

La Critica - Four Colombians and one Nicaraguan were deported to their respective countries by Panama's National Direction of Migration and Naturalization over the weekend. A press release from Immigration said those five people, who were undocumented and in Panama illegally, participated in the protests carried out by SUNTRACS last week. The last to leave Panama was Nicaraguan Miguel Vargas who was arrested in Chiriquí.

La Prensa - So far in 2008, a total of 263 foreigners foreigners have been returned to their country of origin for having overstayed their welcome in Panama, according to the Director of Immigration Clovis Sinistierra. He said that most of those who have been deported were foreigners who entered Panama as tourists and then dedicated themselves to other activities. He did not expound on the details. Upon being discovered the foreigners paid the fine but that payment "does not justify failure to comply with the law," said Sinistierra.

By Edgar Enrique Figueroa for La Prensa - The Panamanian National Police and immigration authorities apprehended a total of 74 foreigners who were in Panama without documents in the last four days. Of the total, 68 were arrested in Colón, Chiriquí y Veraguas and were for the most part Chinese, Colombians, and Dominicans. The remaining six, all Colombians, were arrested yesterday on the little beach located behind the Ministry of Government and Justice building in Casco Viejo as they were boarding a small boat destined for the Darién. All had expired papers.

Don, - As far as I can tell the arrangement for Americans has been left as it was at 90 days. This in spite of the hassle that Panamanians have when they want to visit the USA. However for Canadians it remains at 30 days which can normally be extended. However in practice this is a big hassle and requires the use of a lawyer. In the case of my Canadian partner it took a week and they retained her passport which made her feel very uncomfortable!! It cost around $175 and then they extended her visa by 60 days (which was not requested) making it the same as normal. I’m thinking that it’s all just a scheme to generate more money for the government but who knows what goes through a politician’s mind eh? In any event supposedly it makes the business of extending her visa easier next time. (more)