PANAMA TOURIST VISA
Do I need a tourist visa to visit Panama?
If you wish to visit Panama, you will be in one out of three situations depending on your passport’s issuing country. Depending on the nation, you may need an authorized visa, a tourist visa, or nothing but a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Regardless of your situation, keep in mind that upon arrival to Panama, immigration officers require tourists to present a proof of exit intent from the country, usually in the form of a return or ongoing ticket.
Immigration officers may also require proof of economic solvency not lower than USD 500 or its equivalent in instruments such as cash, credit card, or traveler’s checks
According to Resolution 22068 of September 1, 2021, as of October 1, 2021, the stay of foreign tourists may not exceed 3 months, counted from the time of the tourist’s entry to Panama.
Citizens of the United States and Canada are exempted from this resolution for reciprocity reasons described in Resolution 22076 of September 10, 2021, thus receiving a stay as a tourist of up to 180 days in Panama.
Select your passport’s issuing country to determine your case:
Country Selection
Citizens of this country DO NOT require a visa to visit Panama. They must have a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Citizens of this country must have a STAMPED VISA in their passport to visit Panama. Contact your closest Panamanian consulate to to understand the process to obtain this visitor visa.
Citizens of this country must obtain an Authorized Tourist Visa from local Panamanian Authorities. This may require the assistance of a lawyer. Contact Kraemer & Kraemer todayor visit our dedicated page about the Authorized Tourist Visa to learn more.
No information available. Find out the procedure that applies to your case – contact Kraemer & Kraemer.
What each case means
Panama authorized tourist visa
Nationals from these countries may apply for an Authorized Tourist Visa through their closest Panamanian Embassy or Consulate*, or with the help of a lawyer in Panama. This is a longer process, compared to the other two cases, because your visit must be authorized by the Panama National Council of Public Safety and National Defense. It’s important to highlight that tourists with an Authorized Visa are usually granted a 1-month stay in the country. See all details in our dedicated article – Authorized Visa for Tourists Of Restricted Countries.
Panama stamped tourist visa
Nationals from these countries need to apply for a tourist visa in the closest Panamanian Consulate*. This visa is stamped in their passport, and it’s usually for multiple entries and valid for 3 years. Consult with the nearest Consulate* to confirm the documentation required to submit an application. Holders of a stamped visa are usually allowed entry to the country for 30 days at a time.
No visa required
Nationals from these countries only require a passport valid for at least 6 months to enter Panama.
Exceptions and waivers
Panama waives a visitor visa to tourists who hold a passport valid for at least 3 months, holders of a multiple entry visa or residence valid for at least 6 months to enter any of these countries: USA, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan or Singapore and who have used this multiple-entry visa or residence at least once to visit the granting country.
What this means in practical terms: take for example the holder of a passport from Pakistan and a holder of a passport from Cameroon. These tourists would require an authorized visa and a stamped visa, respectively. However, Panama waives the need for an authorized visa and a stamped visa if:
- They have a passport valid for at least 3 months.
- Have a multiple entry visa or residence, with valid for at least 6 months, and issued by any of these countries: USA, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan or Singapore.
- They have used this residence or multiple-entry visa at least once to visit the granting country
Contact us
Kraemer & Kraemer has more than 10 years of experience in Panama Visas and Panama Immigration Law. Contact us today, and we’ll be glad to assist you.