Are there any expats out there who can provide information about how a Panamanian goes about getting a passport? Anything you can provide in terms of locations, time frame, required visas to enter US, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
1
costero
You are talking about a Panamanian citizen? Living in Panama? And s/he wants to travel to the USA?
2
andrewgw
Passport office is in Caledonia - takes an hour or two if they have all the paperwork, cedula, etc. Can't remember how much it is - need to get my son's renewed soon. One of the more efficient Panamanian government offices.
Visa for Panamanian to visit USA - major pain - non refundable fee plus major waiting time and prerequisites - proof of ties to Panama - house, business, family etc, proof of economic solvency - can take months to get the interview and they turn down a lot of applications. Good Luck
3
hopefulist
Thanks, Andrew. Proof of ties to Panama or to US? I could tell from my reading that the visa would be the hard part. All she has up here is my son Carlos, who fell in love with her when he was living in Panama in 2004-2005 doing a community service project. Suggestions for proof of ties?
4
2travel2know
Getting a passport outside Panama City is much, much easier.
Try Oficina de Pasaportes, Gobernación de Chiriquí in David.
Birth certificate, Panamanian ID card and USD30 (or more) required.
It takes about 30 minutes.
5
hopefulist
That's fascinating! Is there an easier path for the visa, too, or does that always have to be the US Embassy in Panama City. Any advice about proof of ties to the US would be appreciated, too.
6
andrewgw
Hi just got back on here by chance as I hate thorntree now so really don't spend any time here anymore...
The passport office in Panama City is very efficient as well - just get there early.
As for the US Visa - no shortcuts that I know of - they are very strict these days. The ties need to be to Panama - what they want to see is that she will be returning to Panama and not trying to stay in the USA - the worst thing she could say is that she is going to visit her boyfriend - that will nix the application right there. She is going to visit you - the parents - friends of the family who have invited her for a short vacation.
She will need to prove she has good reasons to return to Panama and not be looking to stay in the States - bank accounts, property, work etc. She mustn't show any ties to the US at all.
Best of luck,
Andrew
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