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In this section you will find/ En esta sección encontrará:

  1. Excemption of visa requirements/ Requisitos para exención de visa. 

  2. New Guidelines for Boarding Foreign Nationals in Panama (Resolution 16024)

  3. Stamped and Authorized Tourist Visa

  4.  Transit Visa for Haitians citizens

  5. Visa de Tránsito para Cubanos

  6. Visa for Remote Workers

  7. Preguntas Frecuentes / Frequent Questions

1. Visa exemption

According to Executive Decree #521, any person, of any nationality, who meets the following requirements is exempted from the visa application:

  1. Have a passport with a minimum of three (3) months validity.

  2. Demonstrate financial solvency of at least of US $500.00 (five hundred US dollars) upon entry.

  3. Have a round-trip ticket.

  4. Have, from one of the following countries, a permanent residency or a multiple visa with six (6) months validity, from:


  • Canada

  • United States of America

  • Commonwealth of Australia

  • Republic of Korea

  • State of Japan

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain

  • Northern Ireland

  • Republic of Singapore

  • Any of the States of the European Union


-> For the multiple visa you must have used it at least once. For example, if you have a Canadian visa, you must have entered Canada in order to qualify for the exemption.


->The maximum period allowed to stay in Panama is six (6) months. If you wish to stay longer, you may extend it by applying at the Immigration Offices in Panama.

-> If you don't meet one of the previous requirements, you will need to request a stamped or authorized visa, depending on your country. 

2. 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: Afghanistan, Angola, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, Senegal, Togo, Uzbekistan, 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.

3- Stamped and Authorized Tourist Visa

If you do not qualify for the Visa Exemption mentioned above, you will need a Stamped or Authorized Visa depending on your nationality.

Stamped Visa: Cameroon, South Korea, Philippines, Ghana, India, Malawi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, People's Republic of China, Swaziland, Togo, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Authorized Visa: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burma Myanmar, Burkina Faso, Chad, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, kazakhstan, kyrgyzstan, laos, lesotho, lebanese, liberia, mali, morocco, mauritania, nepal, niger, nigeria, oman, pakistan palestine, democratic republic of congo, republic of kosovo, rwanda, senegal, sierra leone, sirina, somalia, suriname , Tanzania, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turknenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Djibouti, Zambia.​

The approval process may take up to 30 working days for the Stamped Visa and 90 working days for the Authorized Visa. Do not finalize your travel arrangements until your visa has been granted.

NOTE:

If the visa is granted, you must come in person to the Embassy/consulate to obtain the visa printed on your passport.

People over 18 years old, have to apply to the visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate. Here is https://mire.gob.pa/ministerio/embajadasyconsulados/


REQUIREMENTS:

1. Complete the visa application form.

2. Present the original and a complete copy of the passport or travel document with a minimum of three (3) months of validity.


3. Airline reservation, or electronic ticket, with the itinerary of onward travel, is required.

4. Copy of your identification document or residence card of the country where you are domiciled.

5. Provide three (3) photographs.

6. Pay the fee of sixty American Dollars (USD/.60.00), in exact cash only.

7. Proof of economic solvency for their maintenance and sustenance according to the term of stay in the country, which cannot be less than five hundred American dollars (USD/.500.00) and can be demonstrated by one of the following options:

  • Certified check or bank draft made payable to the applicant.

  • Traveler's checks made out to the applicant's name.

  • Bank certification, with account statement of the last month reflecting available balances.

  • Credit card with the last month's statement showing available balances.

  • Income tax return or similar for the last fiscal year.

  • Any other proof of income acceptable to the national immigration service.

8. For the activity that you carry out, you can present:

  • If you are employed by a public or private entity: work certificate with last payslip or accreditation of self-employment.

  • If you are retired: document proving the pension or retirement with proof of payment.

  • If you are self-employed: income tax return for the last fiscal year.

  • If you are a student: certification from the educational center indicating the studies you are taking and the vacation period. If you are not on vacation, you must stipulate the time you were granted to travel.

  •  If you are economically dependent, a sworn statement (Affidavit) from the family member responsible for your travel and support during your trip: certification of relationship and proof of economic solvency.

9. Copy of the last permit that was approved by the immigration authority (if applicable).


10. Confirmed hotel reservation (if applicable).


11. Letter of invitation (if applicable) in which case it may be made by:

A. Temporary or permanent residents or Panamanians living in Panama, attaching the following documents as the case may be:

· Authenticated copy of personal identity card of the national.

· Copy of all pages of the passport and the personal identification document of the foreigner.

· Copy of receipt of payment for the rendering of public services, where the location of the residence of the person in charge is stated.

B. Legal representative of public or private entities, attaching the following.

· In case of being a public entity: invitation letter.

· In case of private entity:

a) Certification of the Public Registry

b) Copy of the Notice of Operations.

c) Copy of the operation code of the Colon Free Zone (if applicable).

d) Copy of the receipt of payment for the rendering of public services where the location of the responsible company is stated.


12. If the previous numeral is applied, the economic solvency of the inviting responsible party may be accredited with any of the following documents:

· Bank certification

· Income tax return.

· Work letter with the latest Social Security record in the case of natural persons.

· If assuming the guest's expenses, they must present a sworn statement (affidavit) where they assume their commitment to cover their sustenance during their stay and their repatriation in case of being necessary.


IMPORTANT:


1- When the request is for a minor, it must be made by one of the parents or whoever has the custody and accredited parenting.

2- All documents must be translated to Spanish.

3- The applicant must apply in person at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Panama. List of Embassies and Consulates.

4- Transit Visa for Haitian citizens

Haitian citizens located in Canada that do not qualify for the visa exemption mentioned in the first section and have a flight to Haiti through Panama will need a Tourist Visa in Transit for Haitian citizens.

This visa will last 24 hours, and the migrant is ONLY authorized to stay in the airport's international transit area to continue their journey.

This visa must be personally requested by the interested party before the Panamanian Consulate with a minimum period of fifteen (15) working days prior the date of travel. Do not terminate your travel arrangements until your visa has been granted.

The visa cost will be the same as for the regular tourist visa, i.e., USD $ 60.00. (sixty American Dollars) Payment is made in exact cash.

NOTE: IF THE VISA IS GRANTED, YOU MUST COME PERSONALLY TO THE CONSULATE TO OBTAIN THE PRINTED VISA ON YOUR PASSPORT.

Requirements:

1. Complete the Application Form for the Tourist Visa in Transit for Haitians.

2. Two (2) card-sized photographs.

3. Copy of passport with a minimum validity of six (6) months.

4. Airline reservation, or electronic ticket, with continuation itinerary of the trip.

5. Copy of ID or residence card, with a minimum validity of six (6) months.

6. Pay for immigration services the sum of sixty US Dollars (USD/.60.00), in exact cash only.

7. Document demonstrating domicile in the country of destination.

8. Letter of invitation of the natural or legal person responsible for the destination parts (if applicable), attaching to it:

a. Copy of the identity document of the person responsible in the country of destination.

b. Document demonstrating domicile in the country of destination.

c. In the case of a legal person, provide a document proving the existence of the legal entity.

The application for a minor must be made by one of his parents or who has duly accredited guardianship.

NOTE:

The applicant must apply in person at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Panama. This is the list.

If you are in Dominican Republic, you can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of Panama by:

5- Visa de tránsito para ciudadanos cubanos

  • Según el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 19, del 8 de marzo de 2022, los ciudadanos de nacionalidad cubana que viajen, en tránsito por la República de Panamá, hacia otro destino o de retorno a su país, deberán solicitar una visa de tránsito a partir del 16 de marzo 2022, según Resolución 4918 del 11 de marzo 2022.

  • Dicha visa les autoriza a permanecer en el área de tránsito internacional del aeropuerto, por un periodo de máximo 24 horas con la finalidad de que pueda continuar su viaje hacia otro destino o su país de origen y tendrá una duración válida de tres (3) meses.

  • Debe ser solicitada personalmente por el interesado ante el Consulado panameños del país en que se encuentre o el consulado panameño más cercano, con un plazo mínimo de quince días (15) hábiles anterior a la fecha del viaje.

  • El costo de la visa es USD 60.00 y se acepta pagos en efectivo solamente.

  • Cuando la solicitud sea para una persona menor de edad, deberá hacerse por uno de sus progenitores, debiendo aportar la autorización del otro progenitor, o quien tenga la tutela debidamente acreditada del menor.

Los requisitos son:

  1. Formulario (proporcionado por el Consulado)

  2. Dos fotografías tamaño carné (  35mmx45mm)

  3. Copia del pasaporte, con vigencia mínima de seis meses.

  4. Copia del Pasaje con itinerario de continuación del viaje.

  5. Copia del documento de identidad del país de residencia, con vigencia mínima de seis meses.

  6. Pago de 60.00 USD en efectivo.


Excepción:

Para toda persona que posea visa o residencia vigente expedida por :

  • Canadá

  • Estados Unidos de América

  • Mancomunidad de Australia

  • República de Corea

  • Estado de Japón

  • Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña

  • Irlanda del Norte

  • República de Singapur

  • Cualquiera de los Estados de la Unión Europea

La visa debe ser multiple, haber sido utilizada previamente y su vigencia no sea inferior a 6 meses al momento de ingresar al territorio panameño.


Adicionalmente deberá presentar: 

  1. Pasaporte con vigencia mínima de tres (3) meses.​

  2. Copia de pasaje que demuestre la continuación del viaje. 

NOTE:

The applicant must apply in person at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Panama. This is the list.

If you are in Dominican Republic, you can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of Panama by:

6- Remote Worker's Visa
Visa para Trabajador Remoto

---Español abajo----

Remote Worker Visa

(DE No.198 of May 7, 2021). 

Granted for a maximum of 9 months, extendable to 9 more months.

The requirements are:

  1. Notarized  Power of Attorney

  2. Legal request

  3. Three (3) passport size photographs

  4. Copy of the passport authenticated.

  5. Police criminal record.

  6. Health certificate

  7. Personal History Affidavit Form

  8. Payment to the National Immigration Service of USD $ 250.00

  9. Application Form for Short Stay Visa as a Remote Worker (Download here)

  10. Copy of the Medical Insurance Policy

  11. Certification of the foreign company

  12. Bank certification of income

  13. Original bank statement showing remittance of funds and declared payments


Private Company Worker: Official company letter, signed by the legal representative. It must include the applicant's general information, position and functions, monthly income e greater than US$3,000.00, and frequency of payments proving their foreign source. It must specify that the company assumes the repatriation of the applicant and that the applicant will be teleworking.


Self-employed or independent worker: Company’s certification duly registered abroad and notarized Affidavit, describing the business connections, including the full name of the applicant, the clients, the provided services, period of the services offered, source of funds and frequency of payments received.

Note: If the currency funds are not the balboa or US dollar, you must provide certification issued by the National Bank of Panama, providing the currency exchange.

Note: The visa is requested in person at the Department of Special Procedures at the Servicio Nacional de Migración through a legal representative and not through Panamanian consulates or embassies. The applicant must have already entered Panamanian territory to apply for this visa.

Visa de Trabajador Remoto

(De No.198 del 7 de mayo de 2021)

Es otorgada por un máximo de 9 meses, prorrogables a 9 meses más.

Lo requisitos son: 

  1. Poder otorgado por el interesado (notariado)

  2. Solicitud del apoderado legal   

  3. Tres (3) fotografías tamaño carné 

  4. Copia debidamente cotejada del pasaporte (Notario o Autoridad correspondiente) 

  5.  Certificado de Antecedentes Penales. 

  6. Certificado de Salud 

  7. Formulario de Declaración Jurada de Antecedentes Personales

  8. Pago al Servicio Nacional de Migración por US$ 250.00 

  9. Formulario de la Solicitud de Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto (adjunto)

  10. Copia de la Póliza de seguro médico 

  11. Certificación de existencia de la empresa extranjera 

  12. Certificación bancaria de ingresos 

  13. Estado de cuenta bancario con sello fresco que demuestre el envío de los fondos y pagos declarados

Trabajador de Empresa Privada: Carta de la empresa, en papel membrete, firmada por el representante legal. Debe incluir los datos generales del solicitante, cargo y funciones, ingreso mensual que debe ser superior a US$3,000.00, periodicidad de los pagos y los mismos deben venir de fuente extranjera. Debe declarar que asume la repatriación del solicitante y que el mismo se encuentra en la modalidad de teletrabajo.

Trabajador Autónomo o independiente: Certificación de la empresa propia, debidamente registrada en el extranjero y Declaración Jurada ante notario, que describa la relación comercial, incluir nombre completo del solicitante y de los clientes, cuales son los servicios que presta, y cuando devenga por los servicios ofrecidos, procedencia de los fondos y la periodicidad de los pagos recibidos 

Nota: Si los fondos vienen de otra moneda que no sea el balboa o dólar americano, debe aportar certificación expedida por el Banco Nacional de Panamá, haciendo el cambio de divisa.


Nota: Es importante señalar que esta visa se presenta en el Depto. de Trámites Especiales en la sede del SNM por medio de apoderado legal y no a través de consulados o embajadas panameñas. El solicitante ya debe haber ingresado a territorio panameño para solicitar esta visa.


7- PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES/ FREQUENT QUESTIONS

 

1. Long stay for Canadians or Permenant Residents of Canada

Question: Do Canadians or Permanent Residents of Canada need a visa to enter Panama?

Answer: No, Canadian passport's holders or Permanent Residents of Canada do not need visa to enter Panama, for a maximum stay of 180 days. 

2. Transitando por  Panamá -Transit through Panama

El máximo de horas que se permite estar en tránsito en el aeropuerto de Tocumen sin necesidad de visa? Respuesta: 12 horas. Para más información, entre aqui

What is the maximum transit period allowed in Tocumen Airport, without the need of a visa? Answer: 12 hours. For more information click here. 

Starting June 8th 2023, the National Immigration Service of Panama will allow the boarding of foreign nationals from a list of countries, under certain conditions. Kindly refer to the 2nd section of Visas. 

Si tiene más preguntas, por favor contactar al Servicio Nacional de Migración:

If you have more questions, please contact the National Immigration Service:

Whatsapp: +507 6005-0500

Phonecall: +507 504-3580

Social media: @migracionpanama

3. Travel Document:

Can I enter or transit Panama with a “Travel document”?

Answer: Yes, as long as the document has 3 months validity and there are no restrictions on returning to Canada. The only restriction would be if the person wishes to travel to their country of birth. In that case, it is not allowed.

4. Pasaporte Venezolano:

  • Venezolanos pueden entrar a Panamá con pasaporte vencido? Respuesta: No.

  • Venezolanos con pasaporte vencido pero con Residencia Permanente de Canadá pueden entrar a Panamá? Respuesta: No.

  • Venezolanos pueden salir de  Panamá con pasaporte vencido?  Respuesta: Sí. 

  • Venezolanos necesitan visa para viajar a  Panamá? Respuesta: Sí.  Deberá solicitar una, en caso de no cumplir con alguno de los requisitos para la exención de visa como por ejemplo tener residencia permanente canadiense vigente. Por favor referirse a la sección visas para más información.

  • Venezolanos necesitan visa para estar en tránsito en zona internacional del aeropuerto en  Panamá? Respuesta: No.

  • Venezolanos pueden hacer escala en Panamá con pasaporte vencido? Respuesta: Sí.

  • Sobre los puntos 4 y 5: Es importante registrar su equipaje hasta su destino final porque no podrá salir del area internacional. ​

Last update/Utlima actualización: January, 2024

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