Temporary Pensionado Visas, Baby!

So yesterday we were up early to wash our laundry, hung it out to dry and weren’t planning on doing much else. Our days seem to start out this way, a chore or two, coffee, journaling, reading, writing, taking a walk or a run to the store. Today – no plans.

Then Michelle, our lawyer, contacted us just before 10 am to see if we wanted to get our temporary Pensionado Visas today. She was taking another client and offered to pick us up – if we wanted to go. They were leaving shortly and she reminded us to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes to this office.

She picked us up at almost 11 am. We assumed we were going to Chitrè, a short 30 minute drive away. As we are passing Chitrè, we asked where we were going exactly? “Penonomé,” she said with a smile. And what we thought was a quick trip turned out to be an hour and a half away.

Well, that was unexpected! But what else do we have to do today? Michelle said she likes to go to the office in Penonomé because it is easy and quick with little to no wait time. We got to meet Tee, Michelle’s other client, getting a temporary Pensionado Visa today, too. She is newly retired and here for two weeks, getting things lined up before her last trip, fulfilling her dream of moving to Panama. A dream that started for her in 2008. She told us she would take the test to get her driver’s license as well during her visit.

We had actually forgotten about that option from our online Panama Relocation Tour guide. The consulate in Panama City authenticates US driver’s licenses. Unfortunately, these appointments stay booked a couple of months out. There is also the four and half hour drive to Panama City to consider. A quicker, closer option is taking the driver’s test in Las Tablas, only 20 minutes from where we are staying. Michelle gave us a contact to help us with this option.

After arriving at the migration office in Penonomé, we all went in and waited maybe 15 minutes while they processed our applications. We had our pictures and signatures taken and then, just like that, we had our temporary Pensionado Visa cards in our hands! We celebrated with lunch before the drive back. What an unexpected day!