Bud Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I know several people who are "in the queue" to get their citizenship and ultimately a passport here in Panama. The story remains consistent: done the interview, the medical stuff, all the paperwork, paid the fees, taken and passed the test, but the last step is still in limbo. Some have been in the queue for as much as three years.Does anyone know the real story about how long it takes to complete this process of getting citizenship? Or what the stumbling block(s) might be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I believe only one gringo in Boquete has been successful in turning her E- cedula into a N-cedula and getting a Panamanian passport. I've been told that Martinelli only signed that one application and Varela isn't interested in signing any. The new naturalized Panamanian citizen is Renae D'Oro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 Thanks Penny. This is not very encouraging news. I've been "in the queue" for two years and not much progress. I do not wish to renounce, but simply have two passports for security reasons. We travel in some parts of the world where a US passport is an invitation to problems, or actual prohibition against entry.We are aware of only one now former US citizen having gotten their Panama n-cedula and passport. That person is in Panama City. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 My hunch is it helps to rub elbows with somebody important who likes you a lot...... Bud...maybe you need to be drinking more Abuelo and writing some public testimonies...just a thought. If you have to start going to 12 step meetings before you get your N-Cedula let us know would ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Asking for update information: Has anyone had success in obtaining a Panama citizenship? We're told there is a hugh backload of requests on Varela's desk, but nothing is moving forward. Any ideas? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Don't believe anyone who says they were successful in converting their E-Cedula into a N-Cedula unless they show you the new cedula and their Panamanian passport. I know several people who are a little duplicitous in this regard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 We know of one person (one person only) who has received their Panamanian passport during the past three years. One attorney told us he is not accepting new applications from people seeking a Panamanian passport because he can't promise when or if a passport might be issued. Beginning to wonder if this effort is a worthwhile project or if Americans "can visit but not welcome to stay in Panama". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyS Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 You can stay as long as you want with a pensionado visa. You just can't vote or work as an employee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 I know we can currently stay in Panama with a pensionado visa, but the real question is why can't Americans get Panamanian citizenship. Is there a problem that no one wants to talk about. Seems to me that three years with no activity and no answers is a cause for concern and maybe alarm. Just trying to find the answer to this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyS Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Perhaps they aren't giving citizenship to anybody, not just Americans. Maybe because the process was initiated under Martinelli, and everything he did is under scrutiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Thanks; your idea sounds like a possibility--no citizenship for anybody. We know someone who is married to a local. Thought this would help get him a Panamanian citizenship. Hasn't worked. He is waiting like the rest of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyS Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 12 hours ago, Marcelyn said: Thanks; your idea sounds like a possibility--no citizenship for anybody. We know someone who is married to a local. Thought this would help get him a Panamanian citizenship. Hasn't worked. He is waiting like the rest of us. I remember talking to someone many years and two presidents ago. She was a Panamanian citizen, and it took a few years to get citizenship for her husband. So this is not new. It is rare when anything in Panama happens fast or efficiently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Just this morning I heard about five expats (two couples, three people local) whose citizenship papers have been signed and swearing in ceremonies scheduled. Maybe the logjam has been broken. I have encouraged the one who informed me to share the experience here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 5 hours ago, Bonnie said: Just this morning I heard about five expats (two couples, three people local) whose citizenship papers have been signed and swearing in ceremonies scheduled. Maybe the logjam has been broken. I have encouraged the one who informed me to share the experience here. I sure would like to know who is getting citizenship and how they went about getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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