Do I need a visa to travel or work in Panama?

Panama is an ideal vacation spot for thrill-seekers, culture enthusiasts, history lovers, and of course, beach lovers – its stunning biodiversity, beautiful coastlines, and incredible islands must be experienced firsthand.

The good news is that travelers from over 100 countries can explore Panama without needing a visa. Here’s what you need to know about entering Panama.

Not everyone is required to have a visa to visit Panama

Under the visa waiver program, visitors holding a valid passport from the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and most European nations do not need a Panamanian visa.

Citizens from visa-exempt countries can stay in Panama for up to 90 days. This limit was changed from six months following a policy update in October 2021, with only citizens of Canada and the United States still allowed to remain as tourists for 180 days.

The length of your stay will be determined by the customs officer, but you can generally expect to be allowed up to 30 days.

To receive this tourist stamp upon entry, you must possess a passport valid for at least six months (with several blank pages) and show proof of financial stability of at least US$500. Acceptable forms of proof include cash, traveler's cheques, recent bank statements, or major credit card statements, along with evidence of a return flight.

Panama is quite strict regarding proof of onward travel; you may be denied boarding a flight to Panama without it. Additionally, ensure compliance with any health regulations set by Panama's Ministry of Health (MINSA) at the time of your journey.

What should I do if I need a visa to travel to Panama?

Tourists who require a visa for Panama have two options: stamped visas and authorized visas.

Citizens from countries such as Cameroon, China, Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ghana, India, Malawi, and Zimbabwe must obtain a stamped visa. This can be applied for at the nearest Panamanian consulate or embassy, allowing stays of up to 30 days at a time.

Citizens from various Middle Eastern, African, and Asian countries need a more restrictive permit and an authorized visa. This category includes travelers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Egypt, Haiti, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Suriname, Syria, and Tunisia.

Those applying for authorized visas must obtain a letter from a local Panamanian sponsor, along with a recent utility bill, a bank statement, a completed Panama visa application form, a valid passport, and two passport-sized photos.

The fees and requirements can differ depending on the embassy you approach, and the process takes longer than securing a stamped visa because it requires approval from the Panamanian National Directory for Migration (NDM).

It's advisable to apply early—at least 90 days prior to your planned travel—and avoid finalizing travel arrangements until your visa is approved.

A visa may be required if you are transiting through Panama.

Travelers from visa-waiver countries do not need a visa to transit through Panama as long as they remain within the airport. Likewise, cruise passengers traversing the Panama Canal are also exempt from visa requirements.

As of June 2023, updates to Panama's transit policy mean that citizens from certain countries, including Afghanistan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, and Sri Lanka, now need a visa to transit through Panama. Make sure to check the complete list of affected countries on the Panama Embassy website before making travel arrangements.

It is possible to extend a tourist visa while in Panama.

If you have a tourist stamp or visa that is valid for fewer than 90 days, you can apply for a tourist extension, known as prórroga de turista. You must visit the immigration office in Tumba Muerto, Panama City, before your current term expires.

Make sure to dress in long-sleeved attire (men should wear long pants) as inappropriate clothing may lead to being denied entry. The process for applying for a visa extension can be complicated, and it’s often unclear which nationalities are eligible.

Panama now offers a digital nomad visa.

In response to a significant drop in tourism due to the pandemic, Panama launched the Short Stay as a Remote Worker Visa program (Visa de Corta Estancia Como Trabajador Remoto) to attract location-independent workers with verified income from outside the country. This new visa type was introduced by executive decree in May 2021.

If you work for a company, are self-employed, or own a foreign business and earn at least US$36,000 annually, you can apply for a stay of up to nine months, with the option for a one-time extension, allowing a total of 18 months.

Additional requirements include having medical insurance that covers your entire stay in Panama and signing an affidavit stating you will not accept employment within the country. A fee of US$250 is also required for the National Immigration Service.

According to international immigration attorneys Fragomen, applicants for the remote worker visa must apply while in Panama after entering on a standard tourist visa. For more guidance, consider consulting a Panamanian law firm.

Are there any vaccination requirements for entry into Panama?

Travelers coming from Brazil must be vaccinated against yellow fever and present proof at check-in. The only exception to this rule is if you possess a medical contraindication certificate.