New rules for tourist stays

NEW RULES  governing the length of time tourists can stay in the country went into effect on Wednesday, May 31. It is aimed primarily   at residents from Colombia, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The new rule establishes a maximum time of stay of 90 days as a tourist in the country of 90 days. Previously it was 180 days.

It also clarified that citizens of the three  nationalities who entered the country before the validity of this decree will be able to maintain their status of 180 days as tourists.

The decree was signed by President Juan Carlos Varela and Minister of Public Security Alexis Bethancourt Yau.

The changes went into effect after being published in the Official Gazette.

One of the reasons for establishing this new regulation is that a large number of foreigners from those countries engaged in work without requesting the change of immigration status.

The new provision was announced by Varela on Friday. The president also said that there will be an increase in the surveillance of foreigners entering Panama.