Panama: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Panama:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Panama: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Visa-Free Entry Requirements
- The traveler must enter Panama through officially authorized land, air, or sea border crossings and present a valid passport or an accepted travel document. The passport or travel document must be valid for at least three more months on the date of entry into Panama.
- The traveler must participate in an interview during border control; allow verification of identity and biometric data, examination of travel documents, and baggage inspection when necessary. Entry and exit information must be provided completely via an immigration card or the automated recording system used by the competent authority.
- At least 500 balboas or equivalent financial means must be shown to cover the expenses of stay in Panama and departure from the country. Travelers under eighteen years of age are exempt from this general financial sufficiency requirement. Transit passengers who do not leave the international transit area are also not required to provide this proof of financial sufficiency.
- The documents by which financial means are to be proven at border control are assessed according to the traveler's situation. Evidence such as cash, usable credit card, or bank resources may be accepted.
- A return ticket or travel reservation to the next country showing that the traveler will leave Panama must be held. If a visa or other permission is required for entry to the next country, the traveler must also carry that document.
- No common mandatory hotel reservation or invitation letter list has been published for all visa-free travelers. The border authority may request additional documents verifying the purpose of travel, accommodation address, duration of stay, and return plan.
- Travelers who are normally subject to a Panama visa but benefit from an exemption based on a valid visa or residence permit issued by a specific third country must present the relevant document at entry. The third-country visa used must be multiple-entry, must have been previously used in the territory of the issuing country, and must be valid for at least six more months on the date of entry into Panama. In the exemption based on a residence permit, the residence document must be valid. This exemption varies by nationality, the country that issued the document, and the type of document.
- The maximum duration of visa-free stay may vary according to the traveler's nationality, passport type, applicable agreement, or the period granted by the entry authority.
- A general vaccination certificate or medical report has also not been published as a common document for all travelers. The traveler must comply with the health measures in force on the travel date by the Panama health authorities.
- Visa exemption does not automatically guarantee the right to enter the country. A traveler who has an entry ban, cannot present the required documents, does not fulfill immigration obligations, or cannot provide sufficient explanation regarding the purpose of travel may be denied admission to the country.
E-Visa Application Requirements
- The online tourist visa application route is arranged for applicants who do not have a Panamanian diplomatic or consular representation in their country of nationality or residence and who need to obtain a tourist visa for entry into Panama. The right to apply varies according to the applicant's nationality, country of residence, and the presence or absence of consular representation.
- The application must be made through the online system of the Panama National Immigration Service, and the personal, passport, residence, occupation, travel purpose, accommodation, contact, and previous travel information requested in the electronic form must be provided completely.
- The form must not contain erasures or crossed-out information and no field may be left blank. Fields not applicable to the applicant should be marked with a statement indicating they are not applicable. The accuracy of the information in the application must be declared during the electronic application process.
- A complete and legible copy of the valid passport or travel document must be submitted. The document must be valid for at least three more months on the date of application.
- A flight reservation, e-ticket, or detailed travel itinerary showing round-trip or onward travel to the next country must be provided. If a visa or residence permit is required for entry into the next country, a copy of that may also be requested.
- The identity card or residence permit of the applicant in the country of residence must be submitted. If the applicant lives in a country different from the country of birth or nationality, a valid document showing legal residence in that country must be uploaded.
- The standard tourist visa checklist includes three recent photographs.
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate at least 500 balboas or equivalent financial means. Financial sufficiency can be proven by: bank statement and most recent account statement, credit card and most recent account statement, traveler's checks, cashier's check, employment certificate and most recent payslip, pension document, tax return, commercial bank reference, or any other income document accepted by the competent authority.
- The standard central tourist visa list shows the most recent month's account statement among documents that may be sufficient. The competent authority may request account transactions for additional periods.
- If the applicant is dependent on another person's financial support, a letter of responsibility, the sponsor's financial sufficiency documents, and documents showing the family or legal relationship between the applicant and the sponsor must be submitted.
- Depending on the nature of the travel, a confirmed hotel reservation or other accommodation proof may be requested. For an applicant invited by a person in Panama, the inviting person's identity document, passport or residence permit copy, and an electricity, water, or telephone bill showing the address may be required.
- If the inviting party is a company, the company's public registry record, operating license, address proof, and business documents that may be required in the relevant sector must be submitted. From the sponsoring company or person, a bank statement, tax return, proof of no tax debt, employment certificate, or social security record may be requested.
- The procedures for applicants under eighteen years of age must be carried out by their parents or the person who legally proves custody. When necessary, a birth certificate, custody decision, and permission document from the other parent may be requested.
- It has been regulated that the standard immigration service fee of 50 balboas will not be charged in online applications.
- The application is subject to review by immigration and security authorities. The competent authority may request additional documents, explanations, verification, or an interview.
- When the application is approved, a travel authorization containing a reference number is sent to the applicant's e-mail address. The electronic authorization must be printed and carried in printed form during travel to Panama. No common rule has been published that a digital copy alone will be accepted.
- The permitted duration of stay in tourist status is a maximum of 90 days.
- The electronic approval does not grant a definitive right to enter the country. The border authority may again request documents related to a valid passport, financial sufficiency, return ticket, accommodation, and purpose of travel.
Consular Visa Application Requirements
- The tourist visa application must be made to the competent Panamanian embassy or consulate according to the applicant's nationality and place of residence. Some applications are processed directly as a stamped visa at the consulate, while others are subject to the authorized visa procedure requiring prior approval from the Panama National Immigration Service.
- The applicant must complete and sign the official tourist visa form. The form must not contain erasures or crossed-out information, no field may be left blank, and fields not applicable to the applicant must be filled with a statement indicating that situation.
- In the form, personal information, birth information, nationality, marital status, residence address, contact information, occupation, employer, passport information, accommodation address in Panama, travel companions, planned entry date, duration of stay, purpose of travel, previous Panama visas, previous visa refusals or cancellations, valid visas and residence permits in other countries must be declared.
- The applicant must submit the original and a complete copy of the valid passport or travel document. The passport must be valid for at least three more months on the date of application or planned entry. Since some diplomatic missions may require six months of validity, the current checklist of the mission where the application will be made also applies.
- The central tourist visa checklist requests three recent photographs. The consulate where the application is made may set different dimensions and technical specifications. Some missions require photographs of 2 × 2 inches with a white background; this condition applies only to applications within the jurisdiction of that mission.
- The national identity document or residence permit of the applicant in the country of residence must be submitted. Persons applying in a place different from their country of nationality may be requested a valid residence card, work permit, or long-stay visa showing their legal residence.
- A round-trip flight reservation, e-ticket, or detailed travel itinerary showing onward travel from Panama must be provided. If a visa or residence permit is required for entry into the next country, that document must also be presented.
- It must be proven that the applicant has at least 500 balboas or equivalent financial means. Acceptable evidence includes: bank statement and most recent account statement, credit card and most recent account statement, traveler's checks, cashier's check, employment certificate and most recent payslip, pension document and proof of payment, tax return for the last fiscal year, and commercial bank reference.
- Some consulates may request bank or credit card account statements for the last three months.
- From employees, an employer letter with position, salary, and leave information and the most recent payslip may be requested. From self-employed persons or company owners, company registration, operating license, tax return, and bank reference may be requested. Retirees must prove their retirement status and regular payments.
- Depending on the nature of the travel, a confirmed hotel reservation or other accommodation document must be provided.
- From an applicant invited by a person in Panama, an invitation letter may be requested. A certified copy of the inviting person's Panamanian identity card or, if a foreigner, the identity page of the passport and a valid residence document must be submitted. The address of the inviting person may be supported by an electricity, water, or telephone bill.
- If the inviting party is a private company, the company registration from the public registry, operating license, a utility bill showing the company address, and sector-specific business documents must be submitted. The invitation letter must explain the purpose of the visit, duration of stay, accommodation arrangement, and who will cover the expenses.
- The sponsor may have to submit a bank statement, proof of income, tax return, document showing fulfillment of tax obligations, employment letter, payslip, or social security record. The relationship between the sponsor and the applicant must also be documented.
- If the application is submitted to the National Immigration Service through a lawyer in Panama, the power of attorney and application petition must be duly certified. Documents issued abroad may be required to be apostilled or legalized by a Panamanian consulate. Additional rules regarding the financial sufficiency of the inviting party may apply in this application route.
- Whether documents not in Spanish need to be translated, the qualifications of the translator, notarization, apostille, or consular legalization vary according to the mission where the application is made and the country where the document was issued.
- The procedures for an applicant under eighteen years of age must be conducted by the parent or the person who legally proves custody. When necessary, a birth certificate, copies of the parents' identity documents or passports, custody decision, and notarized consent from the non-traveling parent may be requested.
- The central immigration service fee for a tourist visa is 50 balboas. The general visa application fee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular portal is shown as 60 US dollars. However, the total fee, local service fee, and payment method may vary according to the mission where the application is made.
- Some missions accept bank transfer, cashier's check, or money order, but may not accept cash or personal check. Fees paid may not be refunded even if the application is refused.
- The processing of authorized visa applications may take up to 60 business days, and the processing of stamped visa applications may take up to 30 business days at some missions. These periods are mission-specific and may be extended due to security reviews.
- A tourist visa may be issued for a stay of up to 90 days. The number of entries for which the visa can be used, the period during which it can be used after the date of issuance, and the conditions for a multiple-entry visa vary according to nationality, visa type, and the decision of the competent authority.
- A tourist visa can be used for tourism, family or friend visits, business connections, professional visits, meetings, seminars, fairs, short-term outpatient treatment, and similar temporary visit purposes. For employment, long-term study, residence, or paid activities, the relevant immigration permit must be obtained.
- No common rule applicable to all missions has been published that routine fingerprint or biometric data registration is mandatory in a consular application. The applicant may be called for an in-person application, interview, or document verification.
- The competent authority may request additional documents, the original document, explanations, financial proof, or an interview. The issuance of a visa does not guarantee the right to enter the country; the border authority may reassess entry conditions.
Transit Visa Requirements
- Panama has an airport transit visa requirement that must be obtained in advance for certain groups of travelers. Whether a transit visa is required depends on the traveler's nationality, residence status, other visas held, final destination country, and whether they will leave the transit area.
- Travelers who are not subject to a specific transit visa obligation may continue their journey without leaving the international airport transit area and without exceeding the transfer time. If the traveler leaves the transit area, formally enters the country, or exceeds the permitted transfer time, normal entry rules apply.
- The transit visa application must be made in person at the competent Panamanian consulate. Depending on the applicable official regime, the application must be submitted at least 15 or at least 30 business days before travel.
- The application form must be completed and signed in full. The form must not contain erasures or crossed-out information, no field may be left blank, and fields not applicable must be filled with an appropriate statement.
- In the form, personal information, nationality, birth information, passport number and validity dates, residence address, phone and email, occupation and employer, persons traveling together, final destination country, previous Panama visas, previous visa refusals, valid visas in other countries, and legal residence information must be provided.
- Depending on the applicable transit regime, two recent passport-sized photographs must be submitted.
- A legible copy of the passport must be submitted. Depending on the transit regime, the passport is required to be valid for at least three or at least six months.
- A confirmed reservation, e-ticket, or travel itinerary showing all flights to the final destination must be provided. If a visa is required for entry to the final destination country, a copy of the valid visa must also be presented.
- The identity card or residence permit of the applicant in the country of residence must be submitted. In some transit regimes, this document must be valid for at least six more months.
- From a traveler invited by a person or company in the final destination country, an invitation letter may be requested. The identity document of the inviting person, address proof, and if a company is involved, registration documents showing the legal entity's existence may be required.
- The transit visa allows the traveler to stay in the international transit area for a maximum of 24 hours and to continue the journey within this period. The visa does not grant the right to enter Panama for a normal visit or to stay outside the transit area.
- In one of the applicable transit regimes, the application fee is 50 balboas. The accepted payment method varies according to the consulate where the application is made.
- On behalf of an applicant under eighteen years of age, the parent or the person who legally proves custody must make the application. If the child is traveling with only one parent, the consent of the other parent; if guardianship is involved, the custody or guardianship decision may be requested.
- The transit application is subject to assessment by immigration and security authorities. The consulate may transmit documents electronically to the Panama National Immigration Service. The competent authority may request additional documents, explanations, or an interview.
- The temporary transit visa regulation applicable to certain travelers has been extended until 31 July 2026. For travel after this date, the validity status of the regulation should be checked again.