Travel Info: How to get to Panama
Most travelers fly into Tocumen International Airport (Code: PTY), a major hub connecting all of North and south America. There is also a domestic airport in Panama City, the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport in the Albrook neighborhood, from which you can fly to many of Panama’s beach, country and mountain destinations. The domestic Airline in Panama is Air Panama.
Flying to Panama is easy; many of the airlines that serve the U.S. offer direct flights to Panama. Panama’s Copa Airlines has turned this nation into a true hub, expanding the airport and adding new direct flights every year. Recent additions include Chicago, Las Vegas, Boston, and Tampa. Another reason to fly Copa: free adult beverages in coach! In addition, Panama is serviced by many of the world’s major airlines, and in total some 70-plus cities offer non-stop flights to Panama City’s Tocumen International.
The Tocumen airport is one of the few in the region that has two landing runways able to serve the largest commercial aircraft operating today. In addition to Air France, American, Delta, KLM, United and more, few people know that Spirit Airlines offers inexpensive “red eye” flights to Panama, often for under $200 if flying from Miami. Just visit www.spirit.com to check on deals from several cities, including Chicago and Dallas. If your city isn’t directly served by spirit, calculate the costs of connecting through one that is.Expat contacts:
When you move, or if you’re just thinking of moving, somewhere new, it’s a good idea to talk to people who have already done what you're about to. Get in touch with expats in Panama, they’ll be able to help you with any questions or concerns you might have and you’ll be able to compare notes on moving here.
Here are the some resources you might find helpful:
International Living Panama Facebook: This is a great place to meet other like-minded, Panama-bound expats and get advice.
Viviendo en Panamá: A popular Panama forum. Spanish for “Living in Panama”, It’s a forum for English speaking expats who discuss living and working in Panama.
Networking tools like InterNations, Linked In and Facebook are extremely popular in Panama and great ways to grow your network.
Visa Requirements
Tourist visa: If you are from the U.S. or canada, you do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. Tourists may stay for up to 90 days and in general, extensions are available if you can show you need more time because you are changing your status from that of a tourist...for Example, if you entered Panama as a tourist and then decided to apply for residence.
Friendly Nations visa: Officially named the Permanent Residence for Nationals of Specific countries, this Visa opens the door for Professionals and Entrepreneurs from 50 countries that “maintain friendly, Professional and economic investment Relationships” with Panama, which includes the U.S. and canada.
The visa has some requirements, you to open a local bank account with a minimum balance of $5000, as well as doing one of the following; either you can purchase real estate with a minimum required investment of $10,000 or open a business, find employment in Panama.
Professional Residence permit: This option is open to foreigners who would like to work in Panama, provided they do not choose professions reserved for Panamanian nationals Eg: include medical professions, Accounting, real estate, and law. Panama has a tradition of welcoming people of different nationalities and backgrounds, especially those who may be able to contribute to our nation’s development. Panama does need and welcome foreign workers, and you could be one of them.
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