US Embassy Panama K1 Visa Interview in Panama City
Embassy Name & Address
Sección Consular
Embajada de los Estados Unidos
Apartado 0816-02561 Zona 5
Panamá, República de Panamá
Contact Information
Phone: (507) 207-7030
Fax: (507) 207-7303
Telephone inquiries are from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Emails:
Panama-ACS@state.gov (for American Citizen Services in Panama)
panama.uscis@dhs.gov (for USCIS Field Office in Panama)
panama-visas@state.gov (visa inquiries)
Embassy URL
http://panama.usembassy.gov/
Obtaining Police Certificate
There are two types of police and prison records available in Panama. The first is a police certificate that is available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) from the Direccion de Investigacion Judicial (DIJ), which bears the apostille seal. The second is a Canal Zone Certificate of Good Conduct available from the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section. The Canal Zone certificate is available for both citizens of Panama and third country nationals who were born on or before October 1966 and who resided in Panama before 1982. Police records formerly held by the Panama Canal Commission are now held by the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section. Since these two jurisdictions kept separate records, an applicant could have a criminal record in either database.
Applicants 18 years of age and older, who have resided in Panama for more than six (6) months, should get a police record (historial policivo y penal) through the MFA from the DIJ. The processing time is ten (10) days and the fee is USD $9.00. Applicants born before 1966 who resided in Panama before 1982 should also complete the form “Application for Certificate of Good Conduct” and submit it to the Consular Section. Requests for police records from the DIJ should be sent to the following address:
Record Policivo Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Departamento de Autenticaciones y Legalizaciones Plaza Suntower, First Floor, El Dorado, Panama City
Medical Exam Details
Immigrant visa applicants are required to undergo a medical exam by the panel physician. To undergo the exam, obtain a signed medical order from the IV Unit of the Consular Section (Window #8).
Take the medical order to either of the following panel physicians:
Centro Medico Paitilla
Avenida Balboa and Calle 53
Emergency Room
Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
Cost: Adults $75.00, Children
$40.00
Hospital Nacional
Avenida Cuba between Calle 38 and 39
Emergency Room
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Cost: Adults $65.00, Children $30.00
The results of the medical exam will be forwarded directly to the Consular Section, U.S. Embassy Panama and will be reviewed by the Consular Officer at your interview.
She should arrange to have her medical at latest 1-2 weeks before her consulate interview. She should fill in and bring the medical order, passport, photos, and her vaccination records. It is recommended she brings her vaccinations up to date while at the clinic. This is required later when she applies for her Green card in the USA, so by doing it now she will save herself time and expense later.
By Fred Wahl
