Panama Expat Forum

panamajames
Joined 2012
Posts: 5096

8 years ago

Immigration in Panama

8 years ago

In the past five years, the foreign population in Panama has increased by 124,433 people who managed to acquire regulated residence or immigration status in the country. Statistics from the National Immigration, revealed that during 2014 and the first 6 months of 2015, Venezuelans topped the list of foreigners with more approved residencies, followed by Colombians, who until 2013, topped the list.
Still, from 2010 to 2014 it was the Colombians who managed the most residencies with 15,244, compared with 8,266 Venezuelans approved.
In all, from 2010 until 31 July, 66,781 residencies were approved for foreigners, plus 57,652 residencies were issued and approved in the four years of the melting pot program.
During the first six months of the year, Spaniards, Italians and Americans have occupied the third, fourth and fifth place, respectively in approved residencies.
In Central America, Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans are the only ones off the list this year. However, between 2010 and 2014, some 611 Guatemalans acquired residency.
Statistics also show that 1,595 have been refused applications for residency, but this was not broken down by nationality.
Colombians were the largest population using the melting pot, a program that was created in 2010 and lasted until 2014.
During this period, 27,541 Colombians legalized their immigration status in the country, followed by Nicaragua (11,745) and Dominicans (6,434). Meanwhile, 5,148 Venezuelans regulated their status during this period and 985 Peruvians.
The list is composed of 89 nationalities including African, European and American.
Of the 57,652 foreigners who managed to regulate their status in the country during the past four years, 18,713 had renewed their license until 2014, ie 38,939 were others whose permits had not been renewed or were still in force.
Last May, the government launched a plan to renew these permits that had expired and explained that they would be granted new permits.
For the sociologist Marcos Gandásegui, there is underreporting of the foreign population in the country because the official figure apparently does not match the reality that is palpable in the streets. Although, he said, the theme is not statistical, but there is an absence of a migration policy to correctly produce numbers.
Gandásegui complained of the lack of immigration policy taken advantage of by the business sector, to hire cheap labor and pay below the minimum wage established in the country.
That fact was also recently reported by the Conato.
The sociologist said that migration is common in countries with economic growth like Panama.
In 2010, the government created the program Crisol Races, referred to above as the Melting Pot.
In four years, 57,652 foreigners were able to regulate their immigration status in the country with that program.
From 2010 until 31 July this year, another 66,781 have established their residency in Panama............

http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/cifras-migracion-rinen-percepcion-extranjeros-calle/23887760

Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Living in Panama Guide

Our Guide to Living in Panama is a perfect primer for readers interested in Panama. Covers healthcare, cost of living, best places to live, residency, visas, real estate, moving tips and the pros and cons of living in Panama.

Panama Forum
Join our Panama forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Panama.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.

Best Places to Live in Panama

If you're dreaming about living in Panama, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Panama in 2023.

Healthcare in Panama

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

Cost of Living in Panama

Expats in Panama enjoy a relatively low cost of living. However, it's important to do your research to make sure you'll actually enjoy those saving while creating a high quality of life as an expat in Panama.

Moving to Panama Guide

Do you have to buy a round trip ticket when moving to Panama? How difficult is it to bring my dog? Should I buy a home in Panama? Can I find health

Real Estate in Panama

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Panama.

Pros & Cons of Living in Panama

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Panama.

Retiring in Panama

Advice for people retiring in Panama.

Panama Visa & Residency Guide

This article covers the ins and outs of the most common tourist and residency visas that expats and global nomads obtain when moving to and living in Panama.

10 Tips for Living in Panama

If you've recently arrived in Panama, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Panama.

Additional Information:

Visit our Panama Index for a Full List

Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Panama by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Panama.