90 Day Tourist Visa Reinstated for Selected Countries
We recently received some very positive news concerning the reinstatement of the 90 day tourist visa for citizens from selected countries traveling to Panama.
On August 17th, the Ministry of Government and Justice issued a memorandum to immigration offices across Panama extending the tourist visa to 90 days from the current 30 day limit for citizens of countries with immigration treaties with Panama.
The government of Panama has ruled that the recently passed law limiting the tourist visa for these countries is superseded by the existing treaties.
This is a positive sign and is one step toward the reinstatement of the 90 day tourist visa for visitors from other countries.
Here is the full English translation of the memo that went out on August 18th:
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jorge Suarez, Investigations Legal Advisor
ROM: Dixa C. de Mendez
Date: August 17, 2007
I would appreciate that you inform the Foreigners Department of the National Police that the following countries mentioned below have a suspension visa agreement with Panama. In accordance to this agreement the tourist visa will be valid for 90 days:
In America: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, el Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Brazil, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
In Europe: Germany, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Poland, Spain, Portugal, England, Netherland, Greece, Finland, Luxemburg, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Lithuania, Latvia and Cyprus.
In Asia: Singapore and Israel
For the countries not included in this list, the term for the tourist visa is 30 days and can be extended up to 60 days.
Sincerely,
Dixa Castillo de Mendez
It is important to note that the 90 day tourist visa is only applicable to citizens of the countries listed in the memorandum. Also, according to the immigrations authorities, the 90 day tourist visa can not be extended.
As we mentioned in an earlier posting, the Panama assembly is scheduled to review the 30 day tourist visa in the upcoming legislative session beginning on September 1st. It is our hope that the assembly will pass the necessary legislation to repeal the law that created the 30 day tourist visa restriction.
We will let you know immediately when there are any additional changes we can report.
