Travel with Colombian Girl friend?

Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 14:05:

Where will you be taking off from? If taking off from Colombia, she will need a visa to go to Mexico. But she can go to Panama without any problems.

Diana

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docbaker says on May 15, 2008, 14:10:

I can tell you what I found out this past year...Panama is pretty easy as long as she has a Colombian passport. Mexico was a whole different story, It was just as difficult as going to the States. I had researched for a possible job transfer and Mexico was so much hassle I decided to stay here instead (Bogota) Good Luck!

To achieve great things...you must live as though you are never going to die!

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azmike9 says on May 15, 2008, 14:10:

We would leave from Colombia. I would fly to Colombia spend a few days then we would go to Panama or Mexico.

azmike9

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docbaker says on May 15, 2008, 14:12:

Mononoke, Does that mean she could fly to Panama, then take another flight to Mexico?

To achieve great things...you must live as though you are never going to die!

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Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 14:19:

No. That means she can go to Panama as many times as she wants with only her passport in hand. But if she wants to go to Mexico, she would need a visa. And you're right, these visas are very difficult to get since most people use them to get to the US.

Diana

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azmike9 says on May 15, 2008, 14:19:

docbaker,

Good question

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docbaker says on May 15, 2008, 14:21:

Too bad it wasn't that easy...we would be heading to PV tomorrow!

To achieve great things...you must live as though you are never going to die!

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azmike9 says on May 15, 2008, 14:27:

Hell everybody coming to the US and I'm trying to get out:)) LOL

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Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 14:29:

Isn't it ironic?

Diana

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azmike9 says on May 15, 2008, 14:31:

Mononoke28,

Yes it is:)

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nine inch nails says on May 15, 2008, 15:13:

Hey girl friend

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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miamimike says on May 15, 2008, 18:33:

Why not go to Cuba? No problems for either of you Visa wise,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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azmike9 says on May 15, 2008, 19:53:

Not a bad idea. I have always wanted to visit Cuba!!

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Buongone says on May 15, 2008, 22:06:

Mono, better check your resources to make sure. My GF came to meet me in Panama City ovr the holidays, from Cali. She needed some papers from DAS. (a police report). A smallpox shot, and $500 US on her. If she's traveling with you, that might be different. But that is what she had to have to enter Panama. Good luck Azmike.

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calipro says on May 15, 2008, 23:15:

That is true a colombiana travelling alone will need at $500 US on her to enter the country.

Ten years ago a colombian could get a Mexican visa simply by paying a fee of $1000 at the mexican consulate. I have no idea what it costs now.

My colombian wife got a tourist visa for mexico and it didn't cost her a dime but I believe that was because she has a green card.

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azmike9 says on May 15, 2008, 23:59:

Thanks for all the replys.

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Mononoke28 says on May 16, 2008, 07:42:

Buongone,

I meant that a Colombian citizen won't need a visa to go to Panama, they don't need permission from Panama to go in.

As for Mexico, that's a whole different game. Twenty years ago we also paid a small fee for the visa and we were in. Now days, it's just as difficult as getting a US tourist visa.

Diana

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guacharaca says on May 16, 2008, 07:45:

We arrived in Mexico City two days ago. The officer asked if my Colombian wife had a visa and I said "no". I had never seen a man's eyes get soo big.

The officer then learned about PR cards from his co-worker and he then scan my wife's PR card and his screen populated just like it would with a modern passport. Everything went smooth with no visa and a PR card.

I did not see any tourist cards that we had to purchase years ago. There were only exit cards that we must not loose or be charge $42.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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Mononoke28 says on May 16, 2008, 07:56:

Did she have PR card from the US?

I have a Colombian friend who recently went to Guadalajara from Denver and went in and out without any issues.

Diana

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guacharaca says on May 16, 2008, 17:36:

PR card from Canada, but the US PR card works equally as well. I checked it out at the Mexican Embassy before we left. (Mexicana also knows these rules).

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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sloopskipper says on May 16, 2008, 19:52:

You had better check with immigration in Panamá. There was a requirement of a police report for Colombians to enter the country also, but I'm not sure if that still happens, or is enforced. There is also a requirement to show economic solvency ($500 or 800 cash, or maybe credit card), and a forward airline ticket. But all has been in flux here for some months.

http://www.migracion.gob.pa/eng/servicio.php?cont=paisvisa

But simply passing through is probably different, like in Caracas.

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sloopskipper says on May 17, 2008, 11:57:

A friend just returned from Cali last night. He had to produce a return ticket to Cali, but not the money, as he has a Panamanian multi-entry visa in his Colombian passport.

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rocinante says on May 18, 2008, 17:09:

Sloop is there a fine or penalty in Panama for a Colombian overstaying - like overstaying for 6 months??

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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sloopskipper says on Jun 3, 2008, 16:49:

Of course, and not only for Colombians. Actually I have read there is a special confinement for those folks, prior to deportation. They can be "black listed" and not permitted to reenter, maybe for 5 years.

I am working with an attorney here whose specialty seems to be immigration issues for Colombians, for a friend from Cali.

http://www.migracion.gob.pa/eng/sanciones.php

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hongo_joe says on Jun 3, 2008, 17:07:

Buongone: I don't think your girlfriend needed a smallpox shot, that disease was irradicated(sp) almost 30 years ago. Maybe yellow fever - but I would be surprised if even that is required.

Rocinante: I was in Panama immigration yesterday and a sign said the fine for overstaying is $25 for the first month and I think it was $300 for a year (not sure of the year amount). It used to be very straightforward - you just paid the fine and it didn't have any effect on future travel - I don't know if that has changed recently, but I doubt it.

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sloopskipper says on Jun 4, 2008, 04:18:

http://www.migracion.gob.pa/eng/sanciones.php

A Tourist Visa will let you get into the Republic of Panama and stay for ninety days. If an extension is desired, you must show up before the visa expires to the Migratory Movement Section of the National Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization, fill out tourist extensionl Form and attach the required documents. The National Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization will resolve by approving or denying the request.

In the case related to a nationality that has migratory restrictions, the length of time allowed will be stated on the visa that was granted to enter the country.

Those who exceeded the authorized length of time must pay a fine before leaving the country, in accordance with the following table:


Length of time in the country Fine to be paid

Spouse or children B/ 25.00
1 Month B/ 25.00
More than 1 month and up to 2 B/ 40.00
More than 2 months and up to 3 B/ 45.00
More than 3 months and up to 4 B/50.00
More than 4 months and up to 5 B/ 80.00
More than 5 months and up to 6 B/95.00
More than 6 months and up to 7 B/.100.00
More than 7 months and up to 8 B/180.00
More than 8 months and up to 9 B/190.00
More than 9 months and up to 10 B/200.00
More than 10 months and up to 11 B/250.00
More than 11 months and up to 12 B/275.00
12 months and over B/300.00

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sloopskipper says on Jun 4, 2008, 09:55:

I think the 90 day statement is maybe out of date. It used to be 90, then reduced to 30, with a possible 60 day extension.

PERHAPS the 90 day has been reinstated. Immigration has been in a state of flux for, maybe, a year, and there has been much mis-information. Even the agents at Tocumen were unsure, at one point.

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