I just heard from a couple who are in the process of obtaining their permanent visa, that their attorney said that they had needed to acquire a Multiple Entry/Exit Permit before they returned to the US. They did not know about this as it is not publicized so, as they are still considered persons who have temporary residency and did not comply with the requirement, they are subject to a $2,000 fine when they return to Panama.
I just confirmed that this requirement is being enforced with my attorney who works here in Chiriqui and has offices in the City as well. He has processed thousands of pensionado and other types of permanent visas for people who have moved to Panama. Here is what he says:
The Inmigration Office is charging a $2K fine to the Temporary/Provisional Resident that exited the country without the multiple entry and exit permit. Permanent Residents do not need Multiple Entry/Exit Permit. Therefore, no fines of this type for them unless, they left the country without the multiple entry/exit permit at the time when they were temporary/provisional residents. I also understand that it can take 48 hours to obtain this permit so one needs to plan ahead if you are here in Panama under the above circumstances.
Tom. I blame this on bad lawyering. This couple’s lawyer failed to do his or her job, by not informing them when they got their most recent temporary visa of this requirement and of the penalties for violating it. It has been on the books for a long time (though if you read the language with precision, its not at all clear that the fine was intended to apply people who are not in overstay process, though that is apparently how the government is interpreting it in order to get money out of people.) If you read the exact words of the statute, you will see what I mean.
However, all is not lost. When this couple returns, they should simply come in as tourists. They should not show their temporary carnet. To the best of my knowledge, Migracion has not yet improved its database capacity to the point where incoming tourists are being checked against the residency databases, though of course, that could change at any time.
I should also add that this fee is nothing more than an outrageous tax. People are being “fined” not for committing a fine, but simply for not purchasing a contrived stamp that has no legitimate enforcement basis, but is simply a tax, pure and simple.
So another way to scam the people with the money. I was goping to visit Panama again in Oct to make my final plans to move my family there seems like there are scams everywhere. This one is by your imigration department Panama shame on you. Americans be warn the law is never on your side in Panama a friend of mine was visiting about 6 kmonths ago for a possible move same thing scamed by attorney and the legal system of Panama. This country is not as corupt has mexico but going back two steps for every one taken in legal and fair progress.
The Immigration nightmare continues. My Visa went on and on for almost 3 years. When I went to do the 3 month renewal, (again, I was told it had been cancelled, and that I would have to start over again!! I left, and have never looked back.
To live in Panama peacefully, one needs a lot of money, inhuman amounts of patience, and be willing to be exploited, bribed, and messed with at every turn.
All the best to you who try………………. I would rather live in Greenland!
Jenny.
Would love to come down if I could find work.
Hi Tom,
We have lived in Panama for 7 years and obtained our Jubilado Visa in 2006. Our Jubilado card states “Infefinido”.
And we just noticed that we have a “Residente” visa de regreso multiple in our passports which are dated 17 Marzo 2008. I have no recall how or why we obtained this visa in addition to our jubilado.
Does that mean that in addition to a jubilado visa one is required to obtain a “Resident” visa de regresso multiple? Ours expired on 17 March 2010 and we have made numerous trips in and out of the country without any questions being asked.
In your article above you wrote, “Permanent Residents do not need Multiple Entry/Exit Permit. – do jubilados have permanent residency in Panama? You also wrote, “I also understand that it can take 48 hours to obtain this permit so one needs to plan ahead if you are here in Panama under the above circumstances”. What is the process to obtain this permit if we need it?