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Immigration question

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Panamaholmes
  6/22/2017 13:44 EST

As I understand it, when you apply for the favored-nations visa you eventually need to go to Panama for about ten days to finish the process. On day one, you surrender your passport, which you get back at the end. Here's my question. Do they give you any sort of ID for the interim period? I know that certain places within Panama require a passport to get to (e.g., certain of the Pearl Islands). Thanks.

PanamaJackie
  6/22/2017 17:59 EST

You'll need to be in Panama about 5 days for the processing Visa ( or temporary Visa). You will need to give up your passport for 24 hours to get a multi-entry Visa stamp in your passport which you will need if you plan to leave the country while you are waiting for your permanent visa to be ready. It's currently taking about 2 months to get your permanent Visa.

If you got your documents authenticated at the Panama Embassy, it could require an extra 1-2 days for authentication of the docs through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panama.

Keep a copy of your passport. That is all that you'll need for the 24 hours that you won't have the original.

SunsetSteve
  6/22/2017 20:45 EST

My lawyer took one day.

StanleySankey
  6/22/2017 20:51 EST

When I did mine, immigration issued my temporary residency card before they took the passport. I also had a photocopy of the ID page of the passport for backup. Passport was returned next business day with the multi entry visa

PanamaJackie
  6/22/2017 21:30 EST

When I got my Visa it took one day too. But things have changed a lot since then.

It now takes 5 days for the temporary visa and 1 day for the permanent visa.

If you want to get a multi-entry Visa stamp add an extra to do the temporary Visa. You will need this if you plan to leave Panama while you are "in process"

outsidecleanupset
  6/27/2017 17:58 EST

DO NOT use VISA-PANAMA.com took my money and let everything expire.

RedHatLady
  6/27/2017 18:19 EST

Keep bugging your attorney. Don't wait for them to contact you. Also good for any services you need. Make sure you get all documents, check for accuracy. Keep forever as don't depend on government to have copies.

outsidecleanupset
  6/27/2017 21:39 EST

sorry his website ,http://www.visas-panama.com/#!contact-us

dumluk
  6/27/2017 22:03 EST

No end to the scammers and the incompetence down here.........thats why I just keep it real simple..........and the govt are a bunch of pirates anyway..........

panamajames
  6/27/2017 23:46 EST

There are 4 banks in Panama to keep an eye on that were rated negative until just recently. One of them, mentioned here in this topic, is Global Bank and another one is Multibank, as Standard & Poor's Global Ratings improved the rating outlook for these four Panamanian banks, from negative to stable.

http://laestrella.com.pa/economia/standard-poors-mejora-perspectivas-cuatro-bancos/24009167

sealodgeg9
  6/28/2017 08:40 EST

Not sure why it would take longer for a Friendly Nations Visa compared to a Pensionado Visa.
We got our Temp Pensionado Visa and Multi Entry stamp in David in less then 24 hours 4 weeks ago. Same with our next door neighbour. She is picking up her Permanent Visa today. 4 months after getting her Temp Visa.

Panamaholmes
  7/2/2017 20:04 EST

Are you allowed to leave the country after the you get your temporary visa? If so, any limits to how long?

Panamaholmes
  7/2/2017 20:06 EST

I ask because it is hard for me to stay for more than a week. I would like to go for a week, submit the paperwork, go back to US and come back in a few weeks.

Panama2017
  7/2/2017 20:51 EST

If your attorney arranged for the mutilple-entry stamp in your passport then you can enter and exit as many times as you want while your permanent residency visa is being processed.

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