Panama Forum

panamajames
Joined 2012
Posts: 5096

10 years ago

Paso Canoas Border News

10 years ago

I spoke with an Immigration clerk at Paso Canoas this morning. She stated that everyone needs to show solvency of $500 and that they would accept your Credit Card, bank account statement for a Panama bank, or cash. I told her that I knew people with Credit Cards, that were refused because they did not have a copy of their card statement. Her supervisor, listening into our conversation laughed, and said it is determined by the agent, situation by situation. So, you should have 2 forms of proof.

If you are not a Panamanian National, or do not have some sort of acceptable Panamanian Carnet, you will need to have been out of Panama for 24 hours before re-entry. You will also need to have a return Airline ticket to your home country, dated no more than 6 months in the future. Costa Ricans can use a bus ticket.

This law is relatively new and is posted at the 'exit' window and is being enforced, selectively. I wanted to take a picture of the law, but of course it is "illegal" to take pictures at a border crossing.

The lady said that the law is not popular and there have been many unhappy and stranded people, but they are only doing their job.

This law may be to keep other Central Americans from coming to Panama and working, but it affects all foreigners entering Panama.

If you need to do the border dance for your visa, you might want to consider coming around morning or mid-day, with all of the required documentation. Mid week is usually best as there were no lines today. Check into Costa Rica, have lunch, a drink, sight see, check out, and return to Panama after 3 PM. See if that works for you. There are airlines that allow you to book a flight, and you have 24 hours to pay for it. Plus, there are many other resources on the web.

Another suggestion is not to raise your voice or argue with the agents, as they may target and remember you. If you speak some Spanish, you will be received better and if you don't, be as friendly as you can be. Learn a few good conversational Spanish words and sentences, and not only the swear words.

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