smilemoreoften
1/12/2017 14:50 EST
Helo all! Just joined and looking for info on our arrival in two weeks. We bought a one way ticket as we are moving lock stock and backpack but are now concerned that we will have trouble at Customs in Panama City (which could effect our connection to David) since we don't have an exit plan. Should we buy a ticket stateside from Panama to another Central American country? Can we get around the ticket out of country by showing our paperwork and intent on obtaining a pensianado visa? Thanks for any and all info.
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Panama2017
1/12/2017 15:04 EST
Smilemoreoften, I'm so jealous of you moving in 2 weeks. The US airport is required to check your ticket return/forward and should not allow you to leave without it IF they are doing their jobs. I wouldn't take the risk...book a return or forward travel ticket. Some folks on this forum recommend that you book return the allows you to cancel within 24 hours of booking.
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ranadelnorte
1/12/2017 15:13 EST
This topic has been covered many times here. It is the airline in your home country that won't allow you to board without a return. So... you either buy a cheap r/t ticket (which often costs less than a one-way), and eat the return portion, or buy a refundable ticket that you can modify once arrived in Panama.
Customs controls goods you are bringing into the country; Immigration are the officials who control your status. Consensus is it best not to mention your plans to obtain the pensionado visa upon arrival, as it only complicates things.
In summary, come in as a tourist, and have a return ticket. You must leave the country in 90 days under current law.
Good luck!
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smilemoreoften
1/12/2017 15:18 EST
Thank you for the corrections ( color me embarrassed) and suggestions. Will a ticket from Panama to Nicaragua suffice as it is a LOT less $.
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rrvantine
1/12/2017 15:28 EST
Just curious, if you don't mind. Did you take care of residency paperwork and make a trip to Panama to finish getting your permanent visa prior to your permanent relocation? How long do you have to submit paperwork in the states and then go to Panama?
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smilemoreoften
1/12/2017 15:52 EST
We have done all our paperwork here and are planning on entering on tourist visa while lawyer takes care of pensianado status.
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XSMEMORIES
1/12/2017 16:03 EST
You have to have a round trip ticket no matter how far in advance, it's the law. Sheila
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ranadelnorte
1/12/2017 16:59 EST
@smilemoreoften
A foward flight to Nicaragua might work, but what are the requirements of the Nicaraguans? The airline still might insist that you need a flight back from Nicaragua. You'll have to check that out.
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BoqueteGirl
1/12/2017 18:26 EST
Please call the airlines as they will be the ones who determine whether or not they allow you to fly. Speak with a supervisor and get their name and employee number. Also speak with the Attorney who will be handling your Pensionado visa. As they all have said, get an additional return ticket that is refundable. You will pay a little more for it,,,,but it is refundable.
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lapapuja
1/13/2017 06:28 EST
Twice I have come to Panama on a one way ticket. (2013 and 2016) Both times, I was told I could not board the plane without a return ticket to country of origin.
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smilemoreoften
1/13/2017 10:58 EST
Have called the airlines (Copa) and been told it is not the airlines who care, it is Immigration. They said get it handled at the Consulate. We called the consulate, they said they knew of needing an onward ticket and said a bus ticket out would work "Well, it is a ticket, isn't it?" So far no real answers but lots of questions! Such a Catch-22.
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Lamastus
1/13/2017 11:03 EST
Just to be safe purchase a one way 1st class back to the states and then cancel when you get here and get a refund on your credit card.
No worries
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expatpanama2016
1/13/2017 11:03 EST
@smilemoreoften:
there is no Catch-22 involved.
As everyone here has told you, you need a return-ticket (or, at least, an onward ticket), if you plan to set foot in Panama.
It's a case of "Better safe than sorry". Some people here have already suggested ways you can take care of an onward ticket, so that you don't find yourself standing at the airport, with all your luggage, and being told to turn around, and go back home!
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stgibson
1/13/2017 11:05 EST
You must have a return ticket to your country of residence. Where you go in between is of no concern to them. If you have a temporary or permanent residency card in Panama you can purchase a one way ticket.
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kimconway7
1/13/2017 11:07 EST
you definitely need a ticket out of panama (and it has to be within 90 days). it can be a bus or plane ticket anywhere else but it has to be out of panama. if you're planning on buying and then cancelling, make sure you purchase and cancel within 24 hours of your flight since most airlines give you only 24 hours to cancel with a full refund
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llseldon
1/13/2017 11:14 EST
Gonna' have to bite the bullet & buy a round trip with a return date in the future then pay to change the date when you want to come home. I miss the good ole days when you could purchase an open return date.
PL
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Panama2017
1/13/2017 11:28 EST
Smilemoreoften, I have personally witnessed Copa ticket counter turning away passengers trying to check-in with one-way tickets. I wouldn't take the chance.
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expatpanama2016
1/13/2017 11:33 EST
@Lsheldon:
Good point. I was just thinking the same thing: what on earth made airlines stop using the "open return date" system? I remember traveling back in the day, and being able to decide on-the-fly when you wanted to return
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BoqueteGirl
1/13/2017 12:29 EST
The last time we flew United and they said we could not board the plane without a return ticket to our homeland. We bought a one way ticket to the U.S. from Panama as we did not know how long we would be staying there with my husbands cancer issues. We were there 4 months at that time. So then I needed to purchase a one way back to Panama. I showed them our Pensionado and they said "you're OK to board with a Pensionado."
Our friends experienced the same thing with Copa and American. Do not risk it. Copa will be happy to sell you a more expensive ticket at the airport when you can not board. Just buy a refundable one way ticket if affordable to you. Play with the return dates (within 90 days) to get a cheap flight. I went in and played with the return date on United and found quite a range in prices. Remember your return flight can be with the cheapest airlines. Hope this helps ya,,,just a little.
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lapapuja
1/13/2017 12:38 EST
There is no way around it. If someone lets you board a plane you will be stopped at Panama immigration. Just get a ticket out before you go to the airport to fly to Panama. One you can cancel or one that is refundable should work fine. Knowing this far ahead you have time to choose the least expensive/best one.
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tony7240
1/16/2017 03:41 EST
If in process of getting Pensionado Visa you get a stamp in your passport while in Panama allowing 6 months.. Your attorney should know this.
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StanleySankey
1/16/2017 09:12 EST
Correct, unless you already have a Panamanian resident visa you will not be permitted to board the plane with a one way ticket. Period.
I can also tell you why the airlines are so anally retentive on the subject. Having done a stint working for CBSA I can tell you that every time an airline would deliver a passanger to Canada without sufficient or improper documentation, not only did the airline have to return that individual to their originating county at their expense but they would also be levied an additional $10K fine per person on top. This had the result of making the airlines overly cautious on everything else too.
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Hugemeister
1/25/2017 13:54 EST
What?.....you are 'moving' to Panama and you don't have this figured out yet? Lol.......
As obviously unprepared foe Panama as you are I would keep a return ticket in my back pocket.
Wow.....just fking wow.....
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