Panama new Immigration Law- August 2008
The change in the immigration law which was first published in the Official Gazette on February 26 requires residents to obtain a new identity card. The new law was scheduled to be implemented on August 26, 2008 but is now delayed while the new systems are put in place. Once the system is up and running, the residents will have one year to obtain their new card. Failure to obtain the new carnet or identity card will result in cancellation of residency. There will be an additional cost for obtaining the new identity card but the fee has not been yet established.
Tayra Barsallo, deputy director of national immigration, explained that the new law allows authorities to specify which foreigners residing in Panama will be required to comply and also states that those who are out of the territory for more than two years will lose their residency.
The process requires proper training and according to Luis Bermudez, there are still issues to be decided. Until the new system is in place they cannot make a final plan nor can they give a date to start the changeover. It is estimated that the new cards for first time residents will cost $65, and those for renewal will cost $50. However it depends on a number of factors and might cost up to $70.
Foreign Population in Panama
Additionally, according to the immigration department, the number of foreigners with residency status in Panama is about 82,000. The Chinese community ranks first with about 17,114 card-carrying members, a number that includes those from China, Taiwan, Republic of China and China popular.
Immigrants from Colombia number at 13,294; Nicaraguans at 4,313; Indians at 3,054. Other well-represented nationalities include: Dominican Repubiic with 4,313; Peru 1,699; Venezuela 572.
Those from the United States living as permanent residents in Panama number 1,817; Canadians number 139; French 245. Almost every other nationality is represented by one or more persons and there are 21,322 non specific permanent residents. A listing by nationality obtained by La Prensa can be viewed at their website at: http://www.prensa.com/hoy/panorama/1466615.html based on the information privided by Direccion Nacional de Cedulacion del TE.
