Danger of Paradise Lost says executive

Paul McBridem CEO of Prima Panama said that the real estate boom will create potential problems.

He gives as an example some of the real estate promotions which talk of 20 year property tax exemptions. Under the law, unless the property you bought is completed by August 31 this year, you qualify for only a five-year exemption. A luxury apartment in Punta Pacifica that was a steal at $450,000 would call for an annual tax of $8,712.50 in five years time.

He adds that another property tax that could effect buyers is lurking in the background—the revaluation of land, which could lead to annual taxes of $700 a year on a $250,000 home, even if you qualify for a 20-year exemption. That´s $14,000 over 20 years. He advises that you check with the developer or seller to find out the valuation of the lot on the tax rolls. If it’s valued at over $30,000 you could be in for a hefty tax bill.

Too many foreigners pretending to be retired

Immigration clamps down on visa abuses

Panama eliminated the automatic extension of tourist´s visas and now you
have to apply for one that only lasts for 60 days.

By Steven Rich

Life used to be easy for foreigners in Panama. They automatically renewed their 90-day tourist cards without hassles. Everyone over 18 years old getting, $500 or more a month from his or her own company could call it a “pension” and qualify for a Pensionado Visa. But Panama is clamping down on immigration visa requirements, because of abuse by applicants.

Pensionado Visas now require a letter from a government entity or private company stating that the applicant receives a lifetime minimum $500 per month (plus $100 for a spouse and each dependant).

Letters from private companies must now state what job title the applicant held and the company’s complete contact information including physical address, telephone number, and e-mail address.

Panama´s Immigration Department requires proof of at least five previous pension payments. Some immigration officials only accept internationally recognized corporations and it seems that whoever processes your application has lots of discretion now.

Police clearance reports are now required for the applicant and the spouse. Local police clearance reports are not enough. Immigration wants a national police clearance report or computer printout from a national criminal database showing no criminal convictions.

Those younger than 50 are now closely scrutinized because Immigration believes that too many young, non-retired foreigners are applying as pensioners.

The original spirit and intent of the Pensionado Visa law was to qualify adults with social security or medical disability payments, private pension plans, or military pensions for the special visa. But now, too many foreigners pretend to be retired or pensioners and create phony companies with fake pension plans.

Tourist visas, too
Tourist visa extensions used to be an automatic 90 days, no questions asked.

On May 22 Panama eliminated the automatic 90-day tourist visa for a 30-day one. Instead of two more 90-day extensions, Immigration now only allows one extension up to 60 days for a maximum 90-day stay.

Bye, bye snowbirds coming from the northern cold climates for 270 warm days per year. This new law may not remain in effect for long as many attorneys, hotels, and tour companies oppose it.

Multi-entry permits are needed by every temporary or permanent resident who wishes to leave and return to Panama. Many foreigners wrongly think that once you have a permanent Visa id card (carnet) you can leave and return with just a passport and the carnet. Wrong! You need to purchase a two-year multi-entry permit allowing you to come and go as you please during your residency period.

Immigration patrols looking for illegal immigrants. have increased in Panama City Last year Panama deported 512 undocumented illegal immigrants. So, don’t get cocky and think that you can overstay your tourist visa and not get arrested and deported back to your country and be banned for life.

You need a competent immigration attorney constantly staying informed of these changes. Otherwise, you might make a mistake and wind up questioned by a wandering Immigration patrol asking for your papers. With no proper documents, it’s a good way to catch a fast flight back to your country.

Visiting the immigration office can be frustrating, and everyone has a host of horror stories to tell. You must go to Immigration at least one week before expiration to apply for an extension. The process is supposed to take four business days, but since this is Panama, don’t be surprised if it takes longer.

Always try to go around 7:30 a.m. because it gets crowded for the rest of the day. The office closes at 1:30 p.m. You are not allowed to wear sandals, shorts or a t-shirt when visiting government offices.

Immigration rules keep changing in Panama. Use a competent immigration attorney who keeps up with these changes.

Look at all visa options applicable to your situation. You might find an easier way to obtain a visa than the pensionado route.

Always carry a copy of your passport.

Steven Rich is Marketing Manager for Panama Offshore Legal Services

Pat Quinn completes the circle

Betsy Ward (left) and Pat Quinn (right).

Directing Tenessee Williams The Night of the Iguana, Pat Quinn returns to the theatre where she made her acting debut 50 years ago, as Madge in William Inge´s Picnic, directed by Ensign John Aniston. She is feeding the need to get back to the community that spawned her talent. Following Picnic, she moved to New York with Stella Adler and performed in her first play off-Broadway, Maxwell Anderson´s The Golden Six.

She was admitted to New York´s famed Actors Studio and performed in their Repertory Theatre Broadway productions of James Baldwin´s Blues for Mr. Charlie, and June Havoc´s Marathon 33. In Hollywood she plays roles in Dr Kildare and continued to guest star on Mannix, McCloud, Banacek, Gunsmoke and The Waltons among others.

For PBS´Hollywood Television Theatre, she played the lead role in Arthur Laurent´s An Invitation to a March.

Returning to New York, she performed with Rip Torn and Quilapayun at Carnegie Hall and in Arthur Miller´s Death of a Salesman at Broadway´s Circle in the Square, which starred and was directed by George C. Scott. In the Regional Theater she performed In the Boom Boom Room and A Street Car Named Desire; Pen´s Banned Books Reading , and L.A´s First Women Concert (narrator). At the Actor´s Studio, she was directed by Lee Strasberg in Chevhov´s The Seagull. She received Dramalogue´s Best Director Award for Steve Allen´s autobiographical play, The Wake.

In Panama, she played the lead and co-directed with her brother Bruce, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in the-Moon Marigolds for PC Jr. College´s 50th Anniversay. She performed for the 87th Anniversay of the Panama Canal gala. She coached the leads for Teatro La Huaca´s Evita! and Jesucristo Superestrella as well as Teatro en Circulo´s José El Soñador. She taught at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Hollywood.

Her films include her groundbreaking performance as Alice in Arthur Penn´s film Alice´s Restaurant; Zachariah, Shootout, An Unmarried Woman, Clean and Sober. She also narrated the Russian documentary, The Bolshoi Ballet 1967 and Father Sun Speaks with Mayan spiritual leader Hunbatz Men.

Nominations for her acting work include Best Supporting Actress as Alice, by the New York Film Critics for her perfomance in that Oscar-nominated film. She has just accepted an invitation from the XXIV Bogota International Film Festival to serve on the judge´s panel in October of this year.

Harry will face Lord Voldemort for the last time

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be the last and seventh book of the Harry Potter series. The worldwide launch of the book will be July 21.

The bookshop El Hombre de la Mancha, will celebrate the occasion with a series of events in its branch at Multiplaza on July 20 from 10:00 p.m. onwards, with a trivia game called The Duel of the Houses. All participants will have to wear the specific color of of the Hogwarts´House they belonged to.

They will play trivia and the winning house will be able to buy the new book with a 10 per cent discount. At midnight the other branches of Hombre de la Mancha will open so everybody can acquire a copy of the English version of Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows.

On the morning of Saturday July 21 at 7:00 o´clock, el Hombre de la Mancha in Albrook Mall will have the event Despierta Harry! which is a pajama breakfast for those who cannot keep awake after midnight, but want to greet sunrise reading the book.

The seventh book is the conclusion and the culmination of the Harry Potter saga. It narrates the danger Harry will face in his search for the Horcruxes which at the end will culminate with a final showdown with his enemy, Lord Voldermort.

J.K. Rowling, the author of the series said that she does not have any intention of writing an eighth book, but that it was more than likely that she will write about characters from Harry Potter´s story or maybe for a charitable purpose like Fantastic Animals and how to find them or Quidditch across the time.

Rowling stated that she wrote the last book a long time ago and the last word in the last chapter is scar. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows will give some clues about the mother of the young magician and something very important will be revealed about his aunt, Petunia Dursley.

J.K. Rowling has sold 325 million books around the world.

The launch for the Spanish edition has not been announced yet, but it is expected to come out at the beginning of 2008.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows will be launched simultaneously in the United States and the United Kingdom on July 21.

Flying bargains… to Panama

Oh those lucky New Yorkers. They have been taking advantage by the dozen of American Airlines special offers of packages for as low as $472 for a round trip to Panama including air fare, two nights luxury hotel accommodation, and all taxes .

The last offer is for flights leaving Saturday June 30, and it includes one package at $574 including four nights hotel accommodation.

Wouldn’t you like to have an offer like that for a few nights on the town in New York?

In their on-line offer they describe Panama as the geographical "lever" between two continents and two oceans. With the region around Panama City offering "culture-soaked urban excursions and ecological nature sprees."

The Joys of flying
Meanwhile American is offering new snacks on flights. You can now buy a raisin oatmeal cookie, a 3 Musketeers bar and orange cranberry trail mix along with Lay’s Stax crisps for three dollars on domestic flights of two hours or longer.

On domestic flights three hour’s or more, like Miami to Los Angeles, you can buy a "light" meal for $5.

Oh for those bygone days when airlines pampered you with free drinks, meals, and even a candy on take off and landing, and there was more leg room.

More bread varieties

The newly opened Canadian Panaderia in Paitilla has expanded its range of breads to meet an increasing call for sweeter offerings. They are also offering a wide selection of dessert cakes from apple pie to chocolate tortilla.

But black bread, integral and bagels, are still in high demand and the bakery is already supplying hotels and other outlets. Opening hours are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. The store is located near Bal Harbor Mall in Paitilla.