Panama is a pilgrimage for adventure lovers, culture and history buffs, and, naturally, beach bums owing to its biodiversity, rich coastlines, and unfathomable islands. The great news is that nationals from over 100 countries can enter Panama and enjoy its treasures without needing a visa.
Here’s everything you need to know about the entry requirements for Panama.
There’s a visa waiver program for visitors from some countries
The general tourist visa duration is three months (90 days). This was reduced from six consecutive months after a policy amendment in October 2021 (only citizens of Canada and the United States are exempt from this and can still stay as tourists for 180 days). The duration you are given will be at the discretion of your customs agent, but you can generally stay for up to 30 days.
To qualify for this tourist stamp upon entry, you must have a passport that’s valid for at least six months (with several blank, unused pages), proof of economic solvency of no less than US$500. This can be cash, traveler’s cheques, recent bank or major credit card statements, and evidence of an exit flight.
Panama is notoriously strict about travelers having proof on onward travel; you might not be allowed to board a flight to Panama without this. You will also need to make sure you adhere to any sanitary measures in place by the Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA) at the time of travel.
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Visitors from some nations are eligible for Panama’s visa waiver program © NeblettStudio / Shutterstock
There are two types of tourist visa
There are two Panama visa types for the tourists that require one: stamped visas and authorized visas.
A more restrictive permit and an authorized visa are needed for citizens of many Middle Eastern countries, as well as some other African and Asian countries. This includes travelers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Egypt, Haiti, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Suriname, Syria, and Tunisia. Applicants for authorized visas will need a letter from a local Panamanian sponsor who can provide a recent utility bill, bank statement, a completed Panama visa application form, a valid passport, and two passport photographs.
Fees and requirements vary according to the embassy you visit and it’s a longer process than obtaining a stamped visa as approval is needed from the Panamanian National Directory for Migration (NDM). Early applications (at least 90 days before intended travel) are encouraged.
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You don’t need a visa if you’re transiting through Panama
You do not need a visa to transit through Panama if you will not be leaving the airport. Cruise tourists passing through the Panama Canal don’t need visas either.
Always check Panama’s visa, passport, and health requirements ahead of your trip on IATA’s Travel Centre or enquire directly with your local embassy or consulate.
It’s possible to extend a tourist visa in Panama
If you have been given a tourist stamp or visa valid for less than 90 days, you can apply for an extension while in the country called prórroga de turista. Before your term expires, you’ll need to visit the immigration office in Tumba Muerto, Panama City.
Be sure to wear long-sleeved clothes (and long pants for men) when you go as you will be turned away if your clothing is deemed unsuitable. Visa extension applications aren’t straightforward and it is not always clear which nationals are eligible.
Panama has a new digital nomad visa
To help stimulate the economy after a sharp tourism decline during the pandemic, Panama introduced the Short Stay as a Remote Worker Visa program (Visa de Corta Estancia Como Trabajador Remoto) for location-independent workers with proven income from outside Panama. This is one of the newest Panama visa types introduced by executive decree in May 2021.
If you’re employed, self-employed, or own a foreign company and earn at least US$36,000 a year, you can apply to stay for up to nine months with the possibility of a one-time extension for an additional nine (up to 18 months in total).
Other requirements include medical insurance covering your full stay in Panama and an affidavit of non-acceptance of any employment in the Panamanian territory. A fee of US$250 will be required for the National Immigration Service.
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International immigration attorneys Fragomen state that applicants will need to apply for the remote worker visa while in Panama after entering on a regular tourist visa. For further assistance, consult with a Panamanian law firm.
Yellow fever certificates are required when entering Panama
If you’re traveling to Panama from Brazil, you must be vaccinated against yellow fever and show proof during check-in. The only exemption to this requirement is if you hold a certificate of contraindication on medical grounds.
Source : Lonelyplanet website
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