Thread: Confirmation of 180 day tourist visa?

"President Martinelli has signed an Executive Degree that all foreigners who do not require a visa- this includes all American and European citizens, effective now will get an automatic 180 days stay in Panama upon entering the country. Foreigners who enter Tocumen Airport are receiving this 180 stay."

Panamainfo’s Blog Great News : New Six Month (180 Day) Panama Tourist Visa for Most Tourists

No links to any official sources. Anyone know what's up with that?

Awsome!!!!!! Now as long as they don't change their minds next week we are good.

it wont be next week ,it is only thursday , they still have manana to change it LOL

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Awsome!!!!!! Now as long as they don't change their minds next week we are good.

When you fly in they want to know if you have a ticket to fly out. They also asked me specifically how many days I would be in country. Should I tell them six months?

It's the law so I don't see why not? I have always been honest every time with immigration and told them I plan to be here for 90 days. They take one look at my passport, see the stamps, and they know I have been living here. No need to hide it.

The stamp is for 90 days even if you say you are only staying a week. Remember when they changed to the well thought out 30 day visitor visa in 2007? That reverted back to 90 days about six months later.

Originally Posted by fleeted

When you fly in they want to know if you have a ticket to fly out. They also asked me specifically how many days I would be in country. Should I tell them six months?

same thing i'm wondering. i'll be flying in in nov with a return ticket for april - wondering if i should tell them the "truth" or print up an itinerary from expedia...

i'll try emailing the embassy for confirmation - but i did that last year and they told me it was only "30 days" and got me all confused.

Print up an itinerary, as long as you aren't Colombian you will be OK. Immigration officers love things printed in black and white, not explanations about how you plan to use a return ticket in four months time with a ninety day visa. Just make sure you do leave within ninety days to somewhere. I rarely get asked about the return flight anyway, it is pot luck.

I knew a Colombian girl who showed them her return e-ticket confirmation number on arrival at 8:30pm and they said they couldn't check it at that time of night... However, they planned to send her back on that ticket after an overnight stay in the holding area. i had to go and get her out the next morning.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

It's the law so I don't see why not? I have always been honest every time with immigration and told them I plan to be here for 90 days. They take one look at my passport, see the stamps, and they know I have been living here. No need to hide it.

I read some where that if you have 500 cash that can be used in lieu of a return ticket. Is that true or Panama legend?

Originally Posted by Contrail

Print up an itinerary, as long as you aren't Colombian you will be OK. Immigration officers love things printed in black and white, not explanations about how you plan to use a return ticket in four months time with a ninety day visa. Just make sure you do leave within ninety days to somewhere. I rarely get asked about the return flight anyway, it is pot luck.

I knew a Colombian girl who showed them her return e-ticket confirmation number on arrival at 8:30pm and they said they couldn't check it at that time of night... However, they planned to send her back on that ticket after an overnight stay in the holding area. i had to go and get her out the next morning.

You mean they targeted her and detained her just for being Columbian?

I also had to prove that $500 in cash was available for living expenses besides having the return ticket. Yes, Colombian women are given a hard time at immigration and it continues if they are granted entry in Panama. Travelling alone they are often considered to be prostitutes and it depends on the government's current policy of how many foreign girls they want in circulation.

Originally Posted by Contrail

I also had to prove that $500 in cash was available for living expenses besides having the return ticket. Yes, Colombian women are given a hard time at immigration and it continues if they are granted entry in Panama. Travelling alone they are considered to be prostitutes and it depends on the government's current policy of how many foreign girls they want in circulation.

Like most people I hate a double standard. They should just set and enforce one policy. The Police I encountered on the main highway road blocks were officers. A Captian that spoke perfect english asked me about my destination, how long in country and checked my passport. I was on my way in 2-3 minutes. He was very professional and as a Military man myself I saw that his uniform was impeccable. If only they could all be like him.

You were lucky to be on your way without a $20 douceur. If you are from Europe or North America you generally won't have a problem. However, if you are from Colombia, the Dominican Republic or similar you can be at the mercy of Panamanian officials.

Originally Posted by Contrail

You were lucky to be on your way without a $20 douceur. If you are from Europe or North America you generally won't have a problem. However, if you are from Colombia, the Dominican Republic or similar you can be at the mercy of Panamanian officials.

Do the locals get soaked by the police or just the gringos? What happens if you don't happen to have cash on you, some people use CC and ATM ? Is twenty the norm for bribes?

$20 is infinitely better than getting a ticket and dealing with the administration of paying the $100 fine or whatever after endless hours waiting in line. The gringos tend to be targeted for the traffic violation scam as they are more likely to have cash on them. Not sure what the exact norm is as I don't drive here, but I am sure someone else will know. Also not sure if they will wait whilst you source an ATM.

That is great news if the 90 days get changed to 180! After reading some of these posts, I want to know if you need to show a return airplane ticket upon arrival? I don't plan to relocate in Panama until Feb. 2012 but was wondering if I need to purchase a round trip ticket?
Panama Dreamer

Originally Posted by Panama Dreamer

That is great news if the 90 days get changed to 180! After reading some of these posts, I want to know if you need to show a return airplane ticket upon arrival? I don't plan to relocate in Panama until Feb. 2012 but was wondering if I need to purchase a round trip ticket?
Panama Dreamer

I always had a return ticket but they never asked (the 3 times that I went there).
Also they don't have the ugly attitude of american or canadian immigration employees.

One question... re Pensionado Visas - Do you know of a good cheap atty? & About how much do they charge, including the Government fee?????

Originally Posted by Panama Dreamer

I want to know if you need to show a return airplane ticket upon arrival? I don't plan to relocate in Panama until Feb. 2012 but was wondering if I need to purchase a round trip ticket?
Panama Dreamer

Of the three times I've entered through Tocumen International, I've never been asked for one. Only time i was asked for a return ticket was when I entered through the Paso Canoas border by bus from Costa Rica.

Still makes me nervous though...

"Still makes me nervous though..."

The worst that could happen is that they make you buy a ticket out of Panama. Just buy a fully refundable one way if that happens.

Copa just refused to refund the fully refundable ticket unless we could show other onward ticket. I pointed to my car - it was not a ticket. We had to buy tickets with TicaBus (or similar) to get the money back.

I had no problem to get a refund from Air Panama...(Panama - San Jose)

That whole return ticket thing really is a useless pain in the butt.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

That whole return ticket thing really is a useless pain in the butt.

Is it permissable to just show $500 cash or do you have to have a ticket as well

It's the airlines job to make sure you are meeting the requirements before letting you onboard the plane.

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

I always had a return ticket but they never asked (the 3 times that I went there).
Also they don't have the ugly attitude of american or canadian immigration employees.

Originally Posted by EdBowers

It's the airlines job to make sure you are meeting the requirements before letting you onboard the plane.

Correct. However, more so than the airline, it's the job of the employee issuing your boarding pass to ask you for proof of onward flight... if you fly in then you must fly out so a cheap bus ticket out will not work. Some airports are loose and don't care about the rule while others are very strict. From my experience Panama immigration never asks for this information so if you can get past airline check in and get your boarding pass then you are home free.

You can have a bus ticket out - no problem as per Copa in Miami. We had to show Copa in Panama a bus ticket out to get a refund for a fully refundable ticket (-$50 for each). Only took 5-6 hours in processing.

The thinking must be that people planning to stay past their visa or even permanently will never stump up for a return airline ticket or a bus ticket...

Originally Posted by EdBowers

You can have a bus ticket out - no problem as per Copa in Miami. We had to show Copa in Panama a bus ticket out to get a refund for a fully refundable ticket (-$50 for each). Only took 5-6 hours in processing.

Bus ticket used to work for me, but not the last time. Copa said if you fly in then you must fly out. They let it reluctantly slide and said I may be required to buy a plane ticket on the Panama side... but I knew that wouldn't happen because Panama is very loose about checking details like that.

Sam over at panama investor blog just posted about the 180 day visa also. Looks like it is the real deal!!!