" Law 47 of August 31, 1999 reformed several provisions of the Immigration law. This has resulted in changes to several Immigration procedures and charges. TOURISTS Tourist visas are valid for 90 days, and may be extended for another 90 days. Citizens from the United Kingdom, France and most G-7 countries, and from United States (with a tourist card) do not need to formally apply for a tourist visa. However, citizens from African, former USSR, and most Asian countries must formally apply for visas to enter Panama, by submitting: 1) Passport 2) Airplane ticket 3) Proof of economic solvency for no less than $500, in credit cards, bank references, letter from employer in country of origin or traveler cheques. The full list of countries that need preapproved tourist visa or not is available at <a href=""http://www.ipat.gob.pa/visita_panama/requisitos.html"">http://www.ipat.gob.pa/visita_panama/requisitos.html</a> All tourist visa and tourist card holders who wish to extend their stay for 90 days must now submit: 1) Tourist visa extension form, 2) Passport 3) Airplane ticket with return date within the additional 90 day period, 4) Proof of solvency, in credit cards or letter of sponsorship by Panama citizen or resident 5) If letter of sponsorship is submitted, sponsors must provide letter from employer, social security receipt or similar documents. These applications do not require filing by an attorney. IMMIGRANTS / TEMPORARY VISITORS Charges for identity cards of temporary visitors (""VT- "") and immigrants (""VI- "") have been doubled. VT-, VI-, Pensionado and Rentista visa holders that travel outside of Panama must apply for a Single Return Permit or a Multiple Return Permit in order to maintain their status as residents. Government charges for a Multiple Return Permit have been doubled to $50 (for a 6-month permit) and $100 (for a 12-month permit). However, the duration of the Multiple Return Permit has been extended to 24-months for a charge of $100. Permit applicants must submit the enclosed form with their passport and are processed in 3 working days. Applications for Single Return Permit and Multiple Return Permit do not require filing by an attorney. The full list of requirements for resident visas is available in Spanish at <a href=""http://www.gobiernoyjusticia.gob.pa/MGJGeneral.cfm?PareaID=02&PentidadID=01"">http://www.gobiernoyjusticia.gob.pa/MGJGeneral.cfm?PareaID=02&PentidadID=01</a> May 11, 2001 . <a href=""http://www.geocities.com/soluciones_67/sfco.htm""> <img src=""http://www.geocities.com/soluciones_67/city2.jpg""></a> Photo: View of downtown Panama City from residential area "

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" Is it OK to travel around Panama with just a birth certificate,if we are US citizens? "

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" <i>Is it OK to travel around Panama with just a birth certificate,if we are US citizens?</i> That ll maybe happen the day Panamanians are allowed into the US with just a birth certificate like Canadians are. That used to be true before 2000, under the Panama Canal Treaties, ONLY for US citizens of the US military stationed in Panama. All other US citizens still required a passport. Don t try to save the US$25 paid to the State Department for a passport - it is still a good form of identification when going abroad. "

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