Venezuelans who wish to enter Panama must apply for a stamped visa at the consular office of the country in which they are located, according to the National Immigration Service of this nation.
In a communiqué published on its website, the agency indicated that this new measure was established in the Executive Decree No. 77 on August 24, 2022.
With this new requirement, the humanitarian decree for requests for family reunification of Venezuelans within the Central American country is repealed.
The decree, signed by President Laurentino Cortizo, indicates that with this measure they hope to have an orderly migration, in addition to guaranteeing national security.
Which are the requirements?
To obtain the Panama stamped visa, applicants must present to the consulate the tourist visa application form, a copy of the complete passport, a copy of a second identity document, three photographs and a travel itinerary.
The person is also required to have minimum funds of $500, which can be presented in a certified check or money order, with a bank reference letter.
Those who have a visa issued by the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom or any country of the European Union, as long as they have used it to enter even once to those countries or nations, do not need to process the stamped visa.
Foreigners of Venezuelan nationality who have a valid visa or residence, duly issued by some of the countries, included in article 1 of Executive Decree No. 521 of August 6, 2018, are also exempt from the provisions.
Panama Migration indicated that all those requests that are in process will be attended until the conclusion of their respective procedure.
Due to the large amount of Venezuelans who cross the Darién jungle daily, the number of nationals in Panama has tripled this year.
Citizens use this dangerous passage between Colombia and Panama in order to continue their transit to the United States.
