Welcome! Before arriving to this beautiful country, it is important to be aware of the visa requirements. Depending on the country that issued your passport, you will have three possible visa requirements. You may need an authorized tourist visa, a stamped tourist visa, or nothing more than a valid passport with at least 6 months left before it expires.

In all three cases, immigration officials require tourists to present proof of their intent to leave the country, usually in the form of a return ticket or proof of onward travel to another destination.

Immigration officials also require proof of economic solvency of $500 USD or more, or its equivalent, in cash, credit card or traveler’s checks.

According to Resolution 22068, as of October 1, 2021, the stay of foreign tourists cannot be longer than 3 months, starting from the moment the tourist enters the country.

Citizens of the United States and Canada, are exempt from this resolution for reasons of reciprocity described in Resolution 22076, thus receiving a stay as a tourist of up to 180 days (6 months) in Panama.

The types of entry visas that exist in Panama are:

Authorized Visa

Nationals of these countries can apply for an authorized tourist visa through their nearest 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 National Council for Public Security and National Defense of Panama. Tourists with an Authorized Visa are generally granted a 1-month stay in the country.

Stamped Visa

Nationals of these countries must apply for a tourist visa at the nearest Panamanian Consulate. This visa is stamped on your passport, and is usually valid for 3 years. Check with the nearest Panamanian Consulate, to confirm the documentation needed to submit an application. Stamped visa holders are generally allowed entry into the country for 30 days at a time.

No Visa Necessary

Nationals of these countries only require a passport valid for at least 6 months after entry to Panama. They are allowed to stay in the country for up to 180 days (6 months).

Tourist Visa for Panama: Exceptions

Panama exempts from a tourist visa those who have a passport valid for at least 6 months, with a multiple entry or residency visa valid for at least 6 months to enter any of these countries: United States, 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.

For example the holder of a passport from Iran and the holder of a passport from Zimbabwe. These tourists require an authorized visa and a stamped visa, respectively, to visit Panama.

However, Panama makes the exception to the authorized visa and the stamped visa if you:

• Have a valid passport issued by a country on the authorized or stamped visa list, which does not expire for at least 6 months.

• Have a multiple entry visa or residency, valid for at least 6 months, for these countries: the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, or Singapore.

• Have used this residency, or multiple entry visa, at least once to visit the granting country.

Outlier Legal is here to help you achieve your dreams in Panama. Contact us before your next visit to make sure you have the correct visa requirements.