[beaner]

Hello All,
We are still deciding on a country & are thinking about Panama. Anyone know what the travel requirements are?
Thx!

[reb621]

Hello, Beaner!
If you are from the U.S., you don't need a travel visa to get into Panama, you would just need to buy a tourist card ($5, I think) from the airline once you arrive in Panama.

I'm not sure if a passport is REQUIRED, but it makes life much easier and the adoption courts will want to know your passport number to be able to identify you (your social security number does them no good), so it's best to travel on a passport. ($85 each? or $65 for a renewal passport?)

Hope that helps,
Rebecca

[beaner]

Thanks for your reply Rebecca....more specifically I was trying to find out the length of time required to travel...I heard one month but that seems insanely long! Any info is appreciated...thx again -

[ccmccoy]

It is my understanding that you don't need a visa just a passport. My husband and I are using Commonwealth Adoption International, Inc. They have told us that it will be 4 to 5 weeks for travel. I am not sure if both of you have to stay for the whole time. This is a Panamanian government requirement. I am not sure exactly why, we were told it had something to do with getting to know the children before you take them home and getting a court date. My husband and I are looking forward to touring the country and visiting relatives. We are considering this a great vacation. We don't usually take such extravagant vacations.

I hope this helps. If you need anything else just let me know.

Cheryl

[reb621]

Cheryl,
Have you heard from the Commonwealth family who recently received their daughter? Are they still in Panama? If so, I wonder how long they'll be required to stay?

Beaner,
Since we (my husband and I) are adopting independently rather than through Commonwealth, we have been told (no guarantees, of course) that we should plan to make two trips. The first to meet the children, have our psychological evals done, and any preliminary court stuff (1-2 weeks). Then the second trip to finalize the adoption (1-2 weeks). So in all, 4 weeks, but at separate times. My husband can spare 2 weeks away from work at a time, but 4 weeks would have been a stretch.

If it turns out they want us to stay for the full month to monitor us with the kids, like most countries, they would probably allow me to stay there and let my husband return to the U.S. until the final court hearing.

At least this is what we (and our attorney) are hoping!

Rebecca