Shelbi
3/3/2017 10:23 EST
Hi Everyone,
We are ifrom Canada and in the process of getting our paper work and seeing lawyer in Panama. We are planning on seeing him next month. He said to plan for two full weeks in Panama. Did anyone do this in a shorter time? We are still working and just got back from Panama and taking another two weeks gets costly. Any recommendations of a lawyer that does the friendly nations faster?
Shelbi and Jim
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StanleySankey
3/3/2017 11:18 EST
In my mind two weeks in not unreasonable for the full package of things. The lawyer can set up the corporation before you arrive.
My experience from doing the friendly nations visa 4 years ago was: The bank account, you will have to be here for that and took up the first week. Without that you can not start the Immigration process. Immigration application etc t00k 2 days at the office with forms, photos, etc. then had to wait two days for my passport to be returned with the multi-entry visa.
I scanned and emailed copies of all the docs, before travelling so my lawyer could check everything in advance in case something was missing.
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SunsetSteve
3/3/2017 11:53 EST
I was able to pay a small premium (around $50) and my lawyer (Mayra de Ruzzi) got it ALL done in a single day in Panama city. One day. This was in 2016.
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SunsetSteve
3/3/2017 11:55 EST
I should add that I did spend time in Canada assembling all necessary documents and sending them down to my lawyer ahead of time.
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SunsetSteve
3/3/2017 11:56 EST
I should add again that mine was a pensionado visa and so the same considerations would not apply. I did not read the OP post carefully enough.
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stgibson
3/3/2017 13:03 EST
Where will you be in Panama?
If you are coming to the David/Boquete area it is much easier to do it in David rather than PC.
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Shelbi
3/3/2017 13:42 EST
Hi,
Thank you. We are doing as much as possible in Canada before we go. Quests two weeks is not bad. Can't wait for our move??
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Shelbi
3/3/2017 13:42 EST
Hi,
Thank you. We are doing as much as possible in Canada before we go. Quests two weeks is not bad. Can't wait for our move??
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Shelbi
3/3/2017 13:59 EST
Thank you, I will ask the lawyer if David is better or faster for him. They have offices in both cities.
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stgibson
3/3/2017 14:21 EST
It is not so much for your lawyers convenience as it is for yours. Trips to Panama can get expensive if you are in Chiriqui. If you apply in David you will only have to make one trip to receive your permanent carnet. The lines in David are almost non-existent as opposed to the mad house in PC.
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Shelbi
3/3/2017 16:05 EST
David it is. Like you said it gets very expensive with flights, hotels, meals etc.
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stgibson
3/3/2017 16:34 EST
Another tip, if you are applying for permanent residency once you receive your temporary cards you have 90 days to get a Panamanian drivers license. You will have to go to your embassy to have your Canadian license authenticated. Most flights coming into Panama arrive to late to catch the flight to David, so overnite is necessary. If you plan it right you can spend the day going to your embassy and catch the afternoon flight to David and take care of authenticating you license. This will save you another long trip.
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StanleySankey
3/3/2017 16:53 EST
Have your documents authenticated in Canada before you come.
The embassy will charge for this service while it is free if you have it done in Canada before you leave.
http://international.gc.ca/world-monde/study_work_travel-etude_travail_voyage/authentication-authentification/index.aspx?lang=eng
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augieman
3/3/2017 17:31 EST
I would like to concur with stgibson that immigration office in PTY is total madness.
Would not wish it on anyone.
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XSMEMORIES
3/3/2017 18:42 EST
I would recommend a lawyer that i'know for 20 yrs., perfect English the whole office name is Valentine Martinez his email is martinez-ach@cwpanama.net mention xs or Sheila for a fast response. Good Lucl
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ranadelnorte
3/3/2017 19:30 EST
Gosh, you're scaring people off the PTY Immigration Ministry. I survived quite nicely with a little help from my lawyer's assistant. It was actually kind of fun. Great people watching and I met some interesting folks during the wait; in fact one has become a friend. It took less than 3 hours, and to me was time well spent.
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stgibson
3/3/2017 20:31 EST
@ randalnorte
Yeah but you didn't have to drive 6 or 7 hours each way and stay in a hotel for 2 or 3 days each time you had to go to Tumba muerto! There is no comparison to the migracion office in David unless you enjoy sitting in over crowded bus stations for hours.
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SAY
3/4/2017 09:58 EST
Steve,
I didn't get my driver's license for 9 months after I got permanent residency - 90 days after I physically relocated to Panama. This was in 2016.
A Canadian friend who just moved here talked to the Canadian Embassy 2 days ago. They told her she had to take her Canadian driver's license to the embassy and go back in 3 days to pick up the notarization.
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cinparadise
3/4/2017 10:57 EST
@ Shelbi,
You wrote:
"He said to plan for two full weeks in Panama."
I obtained my Friendly Nations visa in early 2013 in PC and it only took two days. I went to immigration with my attorney early one morning and I was issued my temporary permanent residency visa card in the afternoon the following day. I believe it was one hour the first day and then one and a half hours the second day. I then obtained a Panamanian drivers license on the third day. It's that easy if all of your paper work is in order.
I do understand that it's quiet busier now and that they don't allow you to obtain all of the required window tickets at once further delaying your visit. It used to be that you would arrive at 7:00 AM to wait inline for the doors to open at 7:30 AM to get all of your window tickets with low numbers and they begin processing at 8:00 AM. I know for a fact that you used to be able to purchase window tickets back then but possibly not now.
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stgibson
3/4/2017 13:45 EST
The law is 90 days after you receive a temporary residency, if you are not going to drive in Panama, then this does not apply. Thank you for clarification on the Canadian embassy. I am a US citizen so I did not know this.
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ranadelnorte
3/4/2017 14:42 EST
To clarify: How long it takes the Canadian embassy to help you with the paperwork for your license depends on how busy they are and Panamanian holidays, such as Carnival which just finished. You call for an appointment, early in the day and usually they can see you the same day or the next.
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