Migration reports more than 11,000 pilgrims have passed through the border with Panama

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff With less than five days before Pope Francis visited Panama for World Youth Day, approximately 11,000 pilgrims has been recorded passing through the southern border, according to the last report of the General Directorate of Migration. According to Raquel Vargas, director of Migration "the processes of migratory control of entry and exit in the country have been carried out with total order and normality, taking into consideration the high concentration of pilgrims on the southern border of our country." The institution has made the following changes for the control and fluidity of the passage of the pilgrims: - a unique entry stamp for those pilgrims pass through the Paso Canoas* boarder post. Upon entering Panama that seal will be validated. - opening the control posts at Paso Canoas* and Peñas Blancas* for 24 hours. - Assigning an additional 100 officers to the migration posts of Peñas Blancas, Paso Canoas, Sabalito, Las Tablillas and Sixaola. According to the agency, from Jan, 9 through Sunday, January 20, 6,318 people had left the country. As of Monday at noon, 5,417 people were handled. In addition, safety programs have continued, such as the review of 249 buses. The agency also reports having made the registered 1,800 pilgrims boarding in Puerto Caldera*. Additionally, the government and the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica have prepared a guide for pilgrims, which includes detailed information on the requirements that they must complete, as follow: - have completed the immigration process before the corresponding Costa Rican authorities. - present the customs declaration of the traveler to the appropriate Costa Rican authority.

General Directorate of Migration courtesy photo Approximately 11,000 pilgrims has been recorded passing through the southern border. - make the payment of exit taxes to the Republic of Panama before leaving the Costa Rican territory. The amount of the exit tax is U.S. $7. In addition, the customs service raises the possibility of being exempt from the payment of taxes on purchases below $500. That exemption applied on the case of those who stayed  at least 72 hours out of the Costa Rica and have not used that benefit during the previous six months. All the requirements to travel to Panama apply for any pilgrim regardless of the means of transport, either air or land. World Youth Day 2019 is an international Catholic event focused on religious youth, due to be celebrated from today to Monday in Panama. This event will allow the Catholic youth an encounter with Pope Francis. -------- Should the immigration institution continue with the efficiency of its  services, even after the passage of the pilgrims ends? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Click on the blue letters to reach the place in google maps.

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