Hello everyone.
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up as to the NEW requirements for leaving and entering the country. We made the border crossing yesterday. This is the freshest information but as we all know it can change at the drop of a hat depending on your attitude..... Attitude makes all of the difference.
I must say that I highly recommend crossing the border at Rio Serreno. There generally is never a line and the guy that works there is very friendly. I speak fluent Spanish and I asked all of the questions that have popped up on previous threads.
Requirements to re-enter Panama on a Tourist Visa
Passport (if you cross at Rio Serreno then you will need 2 photo copies of the information page)
***Passport must be valid and under 180 days from the last re-entry***
Proof of Solvency. They want to physically see $500 in cash or a bank statement dated within 24-72 hours of your border crossing
Airplane Ticket leaving Panama back to your country of Residence. In my case it was the United States. A bus Ticket out of Panama into Costa Rica is no longer valid. Also a car registration showing that you have a vehicle in Panama is no longer valid.
Here's the kicker. Panama is now requiring that tourist must remain out of the country for at least 24 hours. He was saying that their new system will not allow them to check some one back in immediately.
We have been here for 2.5 years. in that time frame I have crossed the border to renew my passport for driving 9 times. This is the first time the rules have changed. The immigration officer could not answer any of my questions as to the "why" and when I told him that my attorney said there was no minimum requirement time frames in which a tourist must stay out of the country.... I received a blank stare and a reiteration that 24 hours was the new rule....This was my final border crossing as my paperwork for residency begins on Monday... I would imagine that it will only get more complicated as time goes on.
Be prepared. Bring everything, Smile, Never let them see you get angry, and have a positive attitude.
Remember we are guests here. If anyone has had a different experience in the last 7 days please post!!
Eric
Replies
ANOTHER WAY OF THINKING ABOUT IT
I have no such problems, so I'm commenting sort of as an "outsider," having left Panama only twice in over five years (for another Central American country).
As with some other legal requirements, such as filing corporation (SA) income tax returns, paying the fine for not having met some requirement can be no more expensive than meeting the requirements.
A friend of mine entered Panama on a tourist visa between 1.5 and 2 years ago and just never left. He didn't have a car here and lived in an apartment in Boquete, hardly ever even going to David. Recently he decided to move to a South American country. He bought an airline ticket, paid a $700 fine and was on his way. Six or seven trips to Costa Rica might not have cost $700, but this guy was quite elderly and fairly feeble. Overall it was worth it to him.
What I find amusing is that self-proclaimed educated people don't understand that border hopping is completely legal under the current law. When you do something legal it is not scamming. Duh! The reason why people are complaining is that immigration officials are NOT acting in accordance to the law. The law states the requirements to exit and re-enter Panama and when people are told they can't enter due to a requirement outside the law (24 hour minimum and plane ticket to home country) then they have every right to file a complaint because the immigration official is not acting in accordance to the law. It's a simple concept that some overly pompous people can't seem to understand.
The punch line to this entire post is: "ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING" ! There are many theories as to why locals detest foreigners.....envy, greed, misunderstanding, ignorance, etc. I think it is a national low self-esteem thing. Any foreigner that appears 'self important' or 'insistent' is fair game. This goes for the border, the post office, the yard boy, EVERYONE! Now, that being said: If that same person can recognize your 'importance' by enriching him or herself, then you are 'important' for the moment. Be humble, charming and personable.....it's cheaper and probably a good experience for most of us. No comments about how it should be, how the law says "blek"........deaf ears. We are nearing the end of this administration so most functionaries will be losing their jobs. That means if they get caught taking a bribe or crossing a line it is their exit bonus...For the next little while until the new admin is in power do not expect any bureau to work at all.....they barely work at the peak of the admin.
I traveled to Golfido, CR last week (September 24-27) to be out of the country for 72 hours. When I reentered Panama, I had a valid air flight ticket from David to San Jose. The agent said I needed a ticket to my country of origin, (US). I was able to talk him into accepting my ticket to CR....but with stern warning for next reentry! Then, I had to go to the computer room and print bank statements for three months costing me $8.00. The 24-hour trip is a new twist. Last time I needed to get my passport stamped, I went to the border and completed the process within one hour with a bus ticket....those days are gone I guess. I think a ning site for this discussion would be noteworthy as noted in the discussion trail.
I have been here seven years. When the last government reached it's final year they made in even more difficult requiring an exit every 30 days. This seems to be a pattern of pushing to make the perpetual tourist concept more difficult and encouraging people to obtain permanent status. This government wants your money so they are having immigrations fairs. If you have two years of more in country legally you can pay for a resident visa and work permit. I do not have details but these events come every few months. If you plan to stick around they might be the right solution for people without pensions.