Panama and the D.R. focus on making visas more flexible to increase tourism

The ambassador of Panama in the Dominican Republic, Pablo Pérez Campos, reported that both nations are working on the tools to make the visa more flexible, thus seeking an increase in interest and reciprocity in tourism.

He indicated that his country currently has a regular visa process and recently launched the shopping tourism visa that encourages trade between Dominicans and citizens of other nations.

«Currently we have a normal visa that the application and delivery process takes about a month and sometimes even more; Now we have a new shopping tourism visa where the person basically only has to prove that they have more than US$1,500 (in the bank or in Panamanian pesos) and make the request, and in a week it is approved,” he explained.

He explained that for this reason the authorities have felt that the facility, in addition to shopping tourism, can be made for people who request a visa only for tourism.

“At the intergovernmental level, the issue of making a tourism card is being discussed where the person makes the request at the consulate or through authorized travel agencies, as is done with the shopping tourism visa, so that the procedure is carried out in less time,” he said.

He recalled that people who have a United States and Schengen visa can travel to Panama without problems, as long as they have been valid for more than 6 months.

The ambassador was emphatic on the subject, since approximately, with the new air route between Santo Domingo and Panama operated by Wingo, an increase in visitors to Panama is expected and later they hope that Panamanians “with the low prices of the airline” will tourism in DR.

He added that “with the aforementioned prices, competitive in the market, the arrival of Panamanian citizens will increase because they like the DR, but most found it very difficult to acquire a plane ticket plus lodging, but now with the cost that Wingo offers I think that tourism will be encouraged more, since there are internal flights that are more expensive than those offered by the airline ».

“For the aforementioned trips that begin next month, I recommend that if you do not have an entry visa for the US or the European Union, that you process the one for Panama, either through the consulate or the agencies that have been incorporated into the visa program,” he stressed.