Clarification Causes Confusion

In May it was announced that visitors to Panama entering on a tourist visa would no longer be granted a 90-day stay (extendable for another 90 days). Instead, immigration officials said, those entering on a tourist visa would be granted just 30 days-extendable up to 60 additional days.

This month, rumors began circulating that the new legislation outlined above conflicts with existing laws. Then, another rumor: new legislation allows citizens of certain countries 90 days, not just 30.

We called the Departamento de Migración y Naturalización en el Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia (Immigration) several times over the past week to find out if there was any truth to the rumors. Why call several times instead of just one? Unfortunately, in Panama (as in nearly every country in Latin America), you are liable to get a different answer every time you ask even the simplest of questions. (Tip: before proceeding with any transaction, ask several people-over several days-what you need to do and what the rules are. If most of them say the same thing, then you can probably proceed without encountering unwelcome surprises.)

Here's the deal, as explained to us by immigration officials:

Rumor #1: Yes, the new legislation conflicts with verbiage in existing laws. But the new legislation is being implemented. Which means, if you are from the U.S. or Canada, or most any country (save those mentioned below), a tourist visa will get you 30 days here.

Rumor #2: Immigration authorities made a mistake…and now they've been "reminded" that certain countries hold treaties with Panama that entitle their citizens to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. The countries are Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, El Salvador, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Uruguay. The same holds for Panamanian citizens visiting these countries; with nothing more than my Panamanian passport, I can go to these countries for up to 90 days. Immigration officials have been asked to stop applying the 30-day rule in cases where these treaties apply.

We called the immigration office today (one last check before sending you this alert) and spoke to a very helpful representative named Iris. She confirmed what I have just told you, and that the 90-day period for citizens of these countries can be extended.

"Are you sure?" we asked. She said that there has been much confusion, but that now the word is yes, citizens from these countries can apply for extensions. This makes sense and jives with how citizens of these countries were treated before the new legislation was passed. Case in point-a close friend moved here from France just over two years ago. Before obtaining her residency (via the Person of Means visa), she was allowed to extend her tourist visa several times. And despite Iris' assurances, we called back and spoke to yet another official, who also confirmed what Iris had told us.

Keep in mind, the fact that you can apply for an extension (no matter what country you are from) doesn't ensure that you will get one…petitions are approved or denied on a case-by-case basis. Immigration recommends you apply at least a week before your time is up. Keep in mind that the immigration offices in Panama City can be crowded and confusing (I highly recommend you go with an attorney or at least a Panamanian friend) and you'll spend hours waiting in line (take a good book and lots of small change for snacks).

If your application is in order, however, you should get your extension without difficulty. (This usually involves going to the immigration office at least twice.) There is an immigration office in David, Chiriqui, where citizens of certain countries, including the U.S. and Canada, can apply for extensions. Citizens of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, among others, must travel to Panama City to request tourist visa extensions, as the tourist visa they are granted upon entering Panama is classified as "restricted," so call ahead if you're not sure where you fit in, tel: + (507) 775-4515.

Panama's immigration department website has an English page, which you can view here, and a list of the world's countries-choose a country from the drop-down menu to see if its citizens require a visa to visit Panama-here. Also note that all government offices in Panama have dress codes and shorts, tank tops, and flip flops are not allowed. If you speak Spanish and would like to venture calling Panama City Immigration yourself, the number is + (507) 507-1800.

Best Regards,

Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider
International Living

P.S. Despite the inadequacies of government offices here, it isn't difficult to live and do business in Panama…you just need a little preparation.