Canadians in Panama - Visa rules?
 

Hey GFY,

I know there are more than a few webmasters either living in Panama or spending a lot of time there. I'm about to book a 3 month plane ticket this winter, and have been holding off until I get a clear answer on the Visa rules.

I spent almost three months there last winter, was detained by migration just over 80 days of being there. The only reason being I didnt have my passport on me, other than that all was cool.

Now I just received an email from the Panamanian Embassy in Canada saying that stamped Visa is good for 30 days then I'd have to apply for a 60 day extension.

I had a Panamanian friend of mine call Panama Migracion and they told him it was 90 days upon entry...

WTF????

I planned to actually stay upwards of six months this time around, border hopping before the 90 days was up. At which point I would extend the plane ticket, or I may just book a six month from the get-go... anywho.....

I need to book a ticket asap as prices are going up due to high season. Can someone please enlighten me on this matter?

Thanks in advance!

the experts of gfy will be with you shortly

thank you kind sir :thumbsup

I would assume that the Embassy knew what they were talking about and hope to be pleasantly surprised on arrival.

Well I would be under the assumption the their department of immigration would have the final say. What I'm thinking of doing is just booking a 6 month plane ticket, and having a pre-booked bus ticket to Costa Rica within 30 days to show as I enter through the airport (only $25) and then just deal with it when I get there. Just trying to book a ticket ASAP as prices seem to be going up by the day.

Actually my Panamanian friend called both the Panama Immigration department and the Embassy of Canada in Panama and both said 90 days upon entry. The Panama embassy in Canada said 30 days.

I have a nephew that is 9 if you need a coke mule.

So when time is of the essence and you have conflicting information, assume the worst case scenario is correct, and plan for that.

I'm definitely working on it..

I just hoped someone here would have some recent first hand experience to guide me in the right direction.

I appreciate your insight lagcam :thumbsup

quick bump... still cant find a straight answer. Is border hopping to Costa Rica every three months still possible for Canadians?

i live in panama.. im a usa citizen.. but have tons of canadian friends here, you get 90 days upon entry.. (just gotta buy a $5 tourist card)

after 90 days just hop to costa rica for 72hrs (or pay someone at the border and they roll stamp back/forward so you dont have to stay 72hrs)... and u get a new 90 day..

BTW why move to panama? im bored here.. what do you do for fun here..

Panama is often TOO much fun :1orglaugh

Yeah, you MUST carry your passport (and tourist card).

Although people say "don't, take a copy", you have to in Panama (copies don't fly because they need to see your date of entry). I'm a permanent resident and carry mine everywhere (I'm American).

You get 90 days as a tourist. You can extend that another three months by going to immigration. You can also "go to Costa Rica" and pay someone to just stamp it so you don't have to stay if you don't want to...

They're idiots and wrong :thumbsup

Panama has its merits (cheap drinks,food, girls, can bribe cops, ok weather), but it gets old fast.. people do same shit everyday.. kinda miss days people had hobbies like skiing, kayaking, etc.. ill say 80% of my american friends here are here because they have nothing going on in the states... if given an option they would move back to USA...

If you are unemployed you might as well come to panama and teach english and get by, but if you have a lot of money(think $xx,xxx a month) then there are other countries with better quality of life...