Thread: Returning to Panama passport question

i was born in panama but with a US passport(my father was stationed there back in the 90s) i am planning to return on sunday or tuesday dont know yet. my question is can i purchase a one way ticket and go through immigration on the panamanian line without getting a visa. will the reject me? even though i was born in panama and have a birth certificate from there? my passport says born in panama. just wondering if any panamanians have went through this process

thank you

To enter Panama, you will need a Tourist Card, purchased for $5 (assuming you come in on a US Passport). That gives you 90 days here.

Once you're here, you can start the process to get the Panama Passport to which you are entitled. (You'll need a certified and probably apostilled birth certificate -- I don't know the exact rules.) Once you have that, you can come and go as you please.

Re: the one-way ticket: It is the law that all tourists (you, on your first entry) must have proof of outbound travel. However, Inmigración does not enforce it; only the airlines do, and then only sometimes. E.g., I twice entered Panama on a one-way ticket when I was still officially a tourist, but I know two people who were not allowed to board the plane in the US until they purchased a return ticket.

so when i come on sunday i have to purchase a tourist visa like a regular tourist then

thanx for the reply

Yes. If your airline is on the ball, they'll have them for sale at the gate in the US. If not, you'll find them in the hallway at the Inmigración check.