Here is the link for the numerous options one has in order to not be a tourist, but rather establish temporary or permanent residency in Panama.
http://migracion.gob.pa/index.php/permisos-y-requisitos-para-visas/permisos-migratorios
Changes are coming and laws are being implemented to make sure everyone residing in Panama is not on a tourist status, but rather 100% legalized in Panama.
If you stay your full 180 days, go over, or very close to it, you are likely to be denied entry, and may be able to come back eventually, but not after 30 days. The 30 days is for those leaving around the 5th month without being too close to the 6th month. There is talk and rumors mainly that the 180 days will be regulated to 180 days per year as of the date of entry, or per calendar year, that is coming up and only rumors right now, nonetheless, it is now more important than ever to look at the options.
There are visas for medical treatment, for short stay visiting friends, for investments, for RE purchases, etc., not all visas are for pensionados, however, all visas do require your background check (FBI or applicable) for every country you have lived in, financial information, money in the bank, certified tax returns, etc.
Always remember it is up to the immigration officer to grant you entry and if you have been a hopper for multiple years, they may hold it against you and not let you in. Also try to enter through Tocumen and try to have more than $500 with you, the exact money does not look good. There are also rumors of increasing that amount so it is uncertain. Bank statements, credit card statements also work as long as they are signed by the bank officer and not printed online.
Border hoppers who are planning to stay 31 days in Costa Rica to come back in, must also follow Costa Rican news, as Solis has already expressed concerned over the increased number of tourists arriving in Costa Rica since Panama's enforcement of the 180 days and Trump's administration and they are looking into their immigration admission laws, etc.
Replies
http://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Establecen-requisitos-extranjeros-r...
New Decree replaces Decree 167 and it establishes 4 main requirements for the Legalization/Regularization Process
1) be over 18 yrs of age
2) go in person
3) be in Panama for over 1 yr without exiting for more than 30 days
4) not having any processes open with SNM
If you are US or Canadian citizen, the cost is $517.
You will need background check, authenticated copy of your complete passport, financial affidavit/letter of responsibility by a Panamanian or a foreigner who permanent residency, photos and do the form online and request your appointment online.
Come on' now if you are not out of the tourist status is just an excuse
Wow! That seems too good to be true.........You have this from a completely reliable up to date source?
If it is true, there is still no clarification on what to do once you are approaching your 5th or 6th month. Do you border hop and stay out for 30 days? Would this 30 days out disqualify you since you can't have been out for more than 30 days? Is the receipt you print out on the website enough to have them let you back in?
How do you know that? If you have one month to go on your 180 day visa, and you apply, how would that stop you from having to border hop?
I was just using that as an example. It looks like you fill out an application on the website and you can print out a receipt. You then have to wait for an appointment. You would still have to border hop until then otherwise you would be here illegally if your visa expired. I asked immigration a month or so ago how long the wait was for an appointment and he said it is around 3 or 4 months. Maybe they have shortened that time now, I don't know. So when you do the border hop, will the receipt be good enough to let you back in and did you just invalidate yourself because you were gone for 30 days? Who knows? Maybe someone can be the guinea pig and let us know.
I also replied to your email
This is how things are done here in the third world.
Look at all the road projects. They build the road and then argue about who is responsible to remove the power poles.
No organizational or long term planning skills.
It will be sorted out eventually but in the interest of "fairness" they couldn't just stop the South Americans from border hopping they need to screw everybody in the spirit of political correctness.
If one owns property here residency is easy and you dont need a corporation or work visa.
Would you please elaborate Gato? Are you still talking about the not so Friendly Nations visa? Or something else?
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