Panama Visa and Passport Requirements

Passports

To enter Panama, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six (6) months from the date of exit from Panama. Your passport must also have an unused page.

Visas

Citizens of Canada and the United States of America can visit Panama and stay up to 180 days without a visa. Other nationals referred to in the chart above can stay up to 90 days without a visa.

In addition, passport holders of any country that have one of the following: a permanent residence card, a valid multiple entry visa (that has been previously used), study permit, or work permit from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom or any of the member countries of the European Union also do not require a visa to enter Panama.

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Panama.

Visa Note

If you arrive in Panama by sea, except via a cruise line, you will need a visa, even though you are from a visa-exempt country. There is a fee of USD$110 per person for passengers and crew members of vessels. Other fees may be charged, for example for cruising permits. Make sure immigration officials properly stamp your passport with the date of entry into the country.

Types and Cost

Fees vary depending on one's nationality.

Transit

International travellers transiting in Panama do not require a visa provided they don't go through immigration and are staying less than nine hours.

Application to

Consulate (or consular section at embassy).

Temporary residence

Visas for temporary residence are granted to those studying, visiting relatives, having medical treatment, or working with international firms.

Working days

Depending on one's nationality.

Sufficient Funds

Travellers should be ready to show that they are carrying sufficient funds, including the equivalent of USD $500 or a credit card.

Entry Documents

You must have a return or onward ticket.

Also, if you attempt to renew your tourist visa by visiting a neighbouring country (one that you aren't a legal resident of), you may be detained or refused entry. Instead of doing a visa run, you must follow the relevant rules and procedures when seeking to extend a visa.

Extension of stay

Visa holders wishing to extend their 30-day stay to 90 days need to visit the nearest immigration office in Panama and request a prórroga de turista.

Tourists who can visit Panama without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism purposes may not be allowed an extension, unless they apply to change their immigration status within the 90 days (for business purposes, marriage, etc).

Entry with children

Children require their own passports. Leaving the country, children require their birth certificates and letter of consent from both parents if either or both aren't present.

Entry with pets

Bringing dogs and cats into Panama requires a Certificate of Good Health and a rabies vaccination, and a Quarantine for Domestic Animals form should be sent three days ahead of arrival to the Panama Minister of Health. Then your dog or cat needs to be checked by a Panamanian vet at the airport – your best choice is to pay to have one meet your flight and get it done then and there. Please note that at certain times of year, restriction periods do apply for animals transported in a cargo hold. Contact the nearest embassy for further information.

Birds and reptiles require an import permit, and birds require vaccinations for chlamydia, salmonella, TB, avian flu and Newcastle disease. These vaccinations must be shown on your bird's Certificate of Good Health, and that and your import permit must be certified in the consulate in Panama before arrival.

This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.

Embassies and tourist offices

British Embassy in Panama

Telephone: +507 297 6550.
Website: http://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-panama-city
Address: Calle 53, Marbella, MMG Tower, 4th Floor, Panama City, PO Box 0816-0794,
Opening times:

Mon-Thurs 0730-1630, Fri 0730-1230.

Embassy of the Republic of Panama in the USA

Telephone: +1 202 483 1407.
Website: http://www.embassyofpanama.org
Address: , 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0900-1400.

Consulate General of Panama in the UK

Telephone: +44 20 7493 4646.
Website: http://www.panamaconsul.co.uk
Address: , 40 Hertford Street, London, W1J 7SH,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0930-1730.