Summary.
The Cabinet decree authorizes the Executive Branch to set fees for consular services and governs their collection at Panama’s consulates. It also establishes exemptions, revenue and expense reporting, and compensation rules.
What it covers.
- Fees for consular services and their collection.
- Consular services exempt from fees.
- Reporting and review of consular revenue and expenses.
- Consular offices’ share of their revenue.
Who it applies to.
- Consuls and consular office staff.
- Users of consular services.
- The Executive Branch and agencies overseeing consular revenue.
Key points.
- The Executive Branch sets fees for consulates under the schedule of consular services; these fees are collected in addition to the amounts in the Consular Tariff.Art. 1
- The Executive Branch instructs consuls not to charge fees for the listed services and persons, including specified passport procedures and services for Panamanian students.Art. 2
- The Executive Branch adjusts the salaries of consuls and consular officials after favorable opinions from the Comptroller General’s Office (Contraloría General de la República) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores); consular revenue funds the adjustment.Art. 3
- Each consul submits monthly revenue and expense reports, with copies of receipts and supporting documents, within three (3) business days after the end of the month.Art. 6, Art. 7
- The General Directorate of Consular Affairs and Vessels (Dirección General Consular y de Naves) reviews the reports and credits or debits the corresponding amounts; it can cancel debits through a reasoned resolution with the Comptroller General’s approval.Art. 8, Art. 9
- Consular offices receive a share of the balance of their revenue after approved operating expenses are deducted; the consul’s share does not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the amount allocated to the consulate.Art. 10
- Each consul prominently displays the Consular Tariff and fee schedule in Spanish and in the language of the place where the consul serves.Art. 11