IMMIGRATION AND VISAS
Visa Exemption: There is a Law in effect regarding tourist visas for entering the Republic of Panama; EXECUTIVE DECREE # 521 states that:
Article 1: "Any person of nationality who requires a visa to enter the Republic of Panama, who has a valid Visa or Residence, duly issued by Canada, the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Korea, the State of Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Republic of Singapore and any of the States that make up the European Union, may enter the national territory "
Article 2: The visa granted by the countries mentioned in the previous article must be a multiple entry visa, has been used previously in the territory of the granting State and its validity shall not be less than six (6) months at the time of entering Panamanian territory. . If you meet the following requirements, you will qualify for the aforementioned decree:
• Has a valid passport with a minimum of three months validity.
• Has a multiple entry visa with six (6) months of remaining validity from ONE of the following countries: Canada, United States of America, Commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Korea, State of Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland North, Republic of Singapore and any of the States that make up the European Union
• You must have used this visa to enter the country. For example, if you have a visa from the United States, you must have entered the United States with that visa in order to qualify for the exemption.
• Migration Officers are accepting the visa exemption of Executive Decree # 521, if the holder has a valid permanent residence card of the United States.
• You must also show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of US $ 500.00 upon entering. NOTE: Make sure you have a minimum of three months of validity in your passport and a round trip ticket.
• The maximum amount of time that you can stay in Panama is 30 days.
For further information please access the following link which contains a copy of the law decree :
https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/28586_A/68706.pdf
No Visa RequireD: IF you are from any of the following countries
The maximum amount of time that you can stay in Panama is three (3) months.
Germany, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas,
Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Belarus, British National Overseas (BNO), Bolivia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Comoros/Comoros, Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark,
Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Granada, Greece, Guatemala,
Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta,
Marshall, Islands Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro,
Namibia, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Republic of Korea, South Russia, Sahrawi, Arab
Democratic Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Thomas and Prince, San Marino,
Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South
Africa, South Korea, Spain St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand,
Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United kingdom,
United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Vietnam.
No visa required: if you have a diplomatic passport of the following countries
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Haiti
Indonesia
Philippines
Republic of China
Venezuela
Authorized Visas: If you are from one of the following countries and do not qualify for the visa waiver mentioned above, you will need an authorized visa
Please be advised: for authorized visas, the approval process may take up to 60 business days, depending on the verification and completion of your documents. Do not finalize your travel arrangements until your visa has been granted.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso,
Burundi, Chad, Cabo Verde, Costa de Marfil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti,
Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho,
Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger,
Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, People's Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda,
Usbekistan, Yemen, Zambia.
NOTE: IF THE VISA IS GRANTED, YOU MUST COME PERSONALLY TO THE CONSULATE TO GET THE VISA STAMPED ON YOUR PASSPORT.
All the submitted documents must be notarized by a Public Notary in the United States prior to being sent to our offices. You must send the following requirements:
1. Complete and sign the visa application (Click here to download)
2. Copies of all the pages of your passport, with the passport having at least three months validity before expected trip.
3. Flight reservation with itinerary of trip continuation or electronic ticket.
4. Copy of a valid I.D. issued by the United States.
5. Three photographs (size: 2x2, with white background)
6. FORM OF PAYMENT: (2) Money orders from WESTERN UNION or MONEYGRAM. a) A first Money order for $50.00, made out to: SERVICIO NACIONAL DE MIGRACION. b) A second Money order for $10.00, made out to: CONSULADO DE PANAMA.
7. Proof of economic solvency during stay, (No less than USD $500.00) This can be verified with one of the following:
Certified bank check with applicant's name.
Travelers check with applicant's name.
Applicant's bank statement from the last three months.
Applicant credit card statements from the last three months.
Work certificate with last paycheck or independent worker accreditation, in case of being an employee of a public or private entity.
If you are a retired citizen, submit certification of retirement.
Letter from employer that reflects your monthly wages. (Must be translated to Spanish)
Tax returns from previous fiscal year.
If acting as a businessman, submit a bank reference
Any other reasonable proof of income accepted by the National Service for Migration.
8. Bring the last visa that was approved by the immigration authorities. (if applicable)
9. Hotel reservation (if applicable)
10. Present, if applicable, a letter of invitation, which may come from either a Panamanian resident or a private entity:
If temporary or permanent residents of Panama, they must provide:
i. An authentic copy of their serial number
ii. Their passport and an identification document for the foreigner
iii. Their tax reports.
If Private entities, they must provide:
i. Certification in the Public Registry
ii. Copy of the notice of activities
iii. Copy of the key of operation in the Free Zone of Colon. (if applicable)
iv. Their tax reports
11. If presenting a letter of invitation (#10), the economic solvency of the inviter can be verified with these documents:
Bank certification
Declaration of rent
Letter from work with the last date of the Social Security Fund in the case of natural born citizens
12. For the solicitation of a minor, it should be done by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH.
REQUISITOS DE VISA EN ESPAÑOL (The document must be submitted in spanish)
Stamped Visa: If you are from one of the following countries and do not qualify for the visa waiver mentioned above or do not require an authorized visa, you will need a stamped visa. In order to apply for a stamped visa, you will need to send us all the same paperwork as is listed above for the authorized visa.
Please be advised: for stamped visas, the approval process may take up to 30 business days, depending on the verification and completion of your documents. Do not finalize your travel arrangements until your visa has been granted.
NOTE: IF THE VISA IS GRANTED, YOU MUST COME PERSONALLY TO THE CONSUALTE TO GET THE VISA STAMPED ON YOUR PASSPORT
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ghana
India
Malawi
Philippines
Republic of China
Republic of the Congo
Swaziland
Togo
Venezuela
Zimbabwe
New Boarding Guidelines for Transit of Foreign Nationals in Panama (Resolution 16024)
Starting June 8th, 2023, the National Immigration Service of Panama, will allow the boarding of foreign nationals from the following countries: Afganistán, Angola, Argelia, Azerbayán, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Camerún,Congo, Costa de Marfil, Chad, Egipto, Eritrea, Etiopía, Gabón, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Guinea Ecuatorial, India, Kazajistán, Kenya, Kirguiztán, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Níger, Nigeria, Pakistán, República de Congo, República Democrática del Congo, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Sierra Leona, Somalia, Sudán, Tayikistán, Turkmekistán, Togo, Uzbekistán, Yibuti, who wish to transit through the Republic of Panama, only if they meet one or more of the following conditions:
Possess a valid Panamanian visa or residence permit.
Possess a valid residence or multiple-entry visa duly granted by Canada, the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Singapore, and any of the states that make up the European Union.
Diplomatic and consular agents, foreign officials of international missions duly accredited, foreign officials of international or intergovernmental organizations duly accredited.
Seafarers duly identified for such purpose.
Crew members of international transport companies duly identified through the general flight manifest.
Traveling to or returning from a country where they hold a valid visa or residence permit.
For further information please access the following link which contains a copy of the Resolution No. 24430 of 9 August 2023 with additions on the Resolution No. 16024 of 8 June 2023 issued by the Panama National Immigration Service.