Tourist visa for Panama: documents, fees and steps

Documents requested

Visa application form, completedConditions and details
The migration regulation requires completing the visa application form. The Consulate of Panama in Washington requests a completed and signed visa application form, to be downloaded from its website.
Passport or travel document, original and complete copy, valid for at least 3 monthsConditions and details
The passport or travel document is presented in original, with a complete copy, and remains valid for at least three months. At entry, the traveler presents it upon request of the immigration authority together, if required for their nationality, with the visa in force.
Verified flight reservation with onward travel itinerary, or electronic ticketConditions and details
The immigration regulation requires a verified flight reservation, with the onward travel itinerary, or an electronic ticket. At entry, the authority also requests a reservation to leave the country within the planned period.
Copy of the identity document or residence card of the country of domicileConditions and details
The immigration regulation requires a copy of the identification document or residence card of the country where the applicant has their domicile. The Consulate of Panama in Washington specifies a valid identity document issued by the United States, which depends on the country of filing.
Proof of solvency of at least 500 balboas for the stayConditions and details
The applicant proves means of subsistence proportional to the duration of the stay, of at least 500 balboas. The immigration regulation accepts one of these proofs: certified check or bank money order in their name; traveler's checks in their name; bank attestation with the statement of the last month indicating available balances; credit card with the statement of the last month; employment attestation with the last pay slip or proof of self-employment; pension or retirement document with proof of payment; tax return of the last fiscal year for a self-employed person; bank reference for a merchant; for a dependent, letter of responsibility, attestation of the relationship and proof of solvency; any other proof of income acceptable to the National Migration Service. A minor under 18 years of age does not have to justify their means at entry.

Depending on your situation

Three photographs, for an application filed abroadConditions and details
The immigration regulation requires three photographs when the application is submitted abroad; the tourist visa submitted to the National Migration Service in Panama is excepted. The Consulate of Panama in Washington specifies the 2 x 2 (inches) format on a white background.
For a filing at the SNM in Panama: payment of 50 balboas for immigration servicesConditions and details
The regulation provides for 50 balboas for immigration services at the filing before the National Migration Service in Panama. For a consular filing, check the fees and means of payment with the competent consulate. In Washington, the page requests two postal money orders from Western Union or MoneyGram, of 50 and 90 United States dollars, made payable to the Consulate of Panama.
Last permit approved by the immigration authority, if applicableAttach your last permit approved by the immigration authority if your situation requires it.
Confirmed hotel reservation, if applicableThe immigration regulation requires, if applicable, a confirmed hotel reservation.
Letter of invitation, if applicable: from a resident or a Panamanian, or from a private entity, with its supporting documents and proof of solvency of the person who invitesConditions and details
The immigration regulation requires, if applicable, a letter of invitation. It can come from a temporary or permanent resident or from a Panamanian, established in Panama, with the authenticated copy of their identity card, a copy of the passport data and of the identity document of the foreigner and a utility document indicating the address of the residence. It can also come from a private entity, with the certification of the Public Registry, the copy of the notice of operations and a utility document indicating its address. The solvency of the person who invites is proven by a bank attestation, a tax return with clearance or, for a natural person, an employment letter with the last slip from the Social Security Fund.

Official fees

Tourist visa — migration service fees, paid when submitting the application to the National Migration Service 50 PAB

Steps

Check whether the nationality requires a visa to enter Panama; an exemption exists for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from Canada, the United States, Australia, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore or an EU State.
Determine the type of visa: stamped visa, which the consul affixes if the holder meets the entry conditions, or authorized visa, which the consul grants after authorization from the National Migration Service.
Inquire with the competent Consulate of Panama about the procedure: in Washington, the application is filed in person at the consulate.
Gather form, passport and complete copy, flight reservation, identity or residence document and financial supporting documents; add the photos for a filing abroad and, if applicable, a hotel reservation, invitation or last permit
File the application according to the instructions of the competent service; at the SNM in Panama, pay 50 balboas for immigration services. For a consulate, check its fees and means of payment
Wait for approval: according to the Consulate of Panama in Washington, up to 60 working days for an authorized visa and up to 30 working days for a stamped visa; do not finalize your trip before it is granted.
For a granted stamped visa, appear in person at the consulate to have the visa printed in the passport.
In the consulates of Cuba, Venezuela, China and India, make an appointment for a stamped visa on the Migración en Línea service of the National Migration Service.
On arrival, present passport, visa, entry and exit card, proof of solvency of at least 500 balboas and exit reservation; accept the interview and biometric verification.
Comply with the duration of stay granted by the immigration authority and the validity of your visa

Where to apply

Consulate or embassy of Panama: the consul stamps the stamped visa or grants the authorized visa after authorization from the National Migration Service
National Migration Service (SNM) of Panama: authority that issues tourist visas; its conditions sheet publishes the required documents
Migración en Línea online service of the SNM: appointment scheduling for a stamped visa in the consulates of Panama in Cuba, Venezuela, China and India
Example procedure of a consulate: Consulate of Panama in Washington, according to the Visas page of the embassy of Panama in the United States

Good to know

Exemption for holders of a visa or residence permit of certain countriesConditions and details
According to Executive Decree No. 521 of 6 August 2018, a person whose nationality requires a visa and who holds a valid visa or residence permit issued by Canada, the United States, Australia, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore or one of the States of the European Union may enter Panama. Executive Decree No. 196 of 28 October 2024 replaces its article 2: at entry to Panama, the traveler must hold a visa in force issued by one of these countries. According to the Embassy of Panama in the United States, a passport valid for at least three months, a proof of solvency of at least 500 United States dollars and a round-trip ticket are also required; the maximum stay is then 30 days, and migration officers also accept the United States permanent resident card.
Authorized visa or stamped visa depending on nationalityConditions and details
According to the Embassy of Panama in the United States, nationals of the following countries apply for a stamped visa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ghana, India, Malawi, Philippines, "Republic of China", Republic of the Congo, Eswatini (Swaziland), Togo, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. A longer list of countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, falls under the authorized visa. The list on the page is published without a date; the competent consulate confirms the type of visa applicable to the nationality.
Approval times of the consulate in WashingtonConditions and details
For an authorized visa, approval may take up to 60 working days, depending on the verification and the completeness of the documents; for a stamped visa, up to 30 working days. The embassy recommends finalizing travel arrangements only once the visa is granted. For a granted stamped visa, the applicant comes in person to the consulate to have the visa printed in their passport.
Requirements specific to the consulate in WashingtonConditions and details
As an example, the Consulate of Panama in Washington receives the application in person and requests: the signed form; copies of all the pages of the passport, valid for at least three months before the planned trip; a flight reservation with itinerary of continuation of the trip or an electronic ticket; a valid identity document issued by the United States; three photographs 2 x 2 on a white background; two postal money orders (50 and 90 dollars); a proof of solvency of at least 500 dollars; the last approved visa, if applicable; a hotel reservation, if applicable; a letter of invitation, if applicable; for a minor, the application of a parent or legal guardian; and a prepaid envelope bearing the address of the applicant for the return of the passport. Other consulates may require other documents and other payments.
Entry conditions to PanamaConditions and details
At entry, the traveler must: enter through an authorized land, air or sea immigration post; present their valid passport or travel document and, if required for their nationality, the visa in force; accept being questioned at entry as at exit, that their biometric data be verified on site and that their luggage and documents be inspected; present the entry and exit card provided by the transport company; not be subject to an entry ban; have sufficient resources for their stay; have a return ticket to their country of origin or residence when the immigration category requires it; have settled their obligations towards the National Migration Service; comply with the health standards of the Ministry of Health.
Solvency required at entryConditions and details
The National Migration Service recalls, among the entry conditions of visitors: an original passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months; a proof of solvency for the stay, which may in no case be less than 500 balboas (a minor under 18 years of age does not have to show it); a verified reservation to leave the country within the established period; and, if the country requires a visa, the visa.
Visa validity and authorized duration of stayConditions and details
Article 16 provides for a maximum validity of 90 days for the tourist visa issued by the SNM, subject to international agreements and reciprocity. This validity is not sufficient to determine the authorized duration of stay: respect the duration granted by the immigration authority for your situation and the dates appearing on your documents.
Transit through PanamaConditions and details
Nationals of certain countries subject to a visa (including Algeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Senegal) may board for transit through Panama only if they meet at least one condition: for example having a Panamanian visa or residence permit in force, a residence permit or a multiple-entry visa from Canada, the United States, Australia, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore or an EU State, or traveling to a country where they have a valid visa or residence permit, or to their country of origin. This rule (resolution No. 16024 of 8 June 2023, amended) is presented by the Embassy of Panama in the United States.

Nationalities covered

This procedure applies to 78 nationalities.

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Official links

Requisitos para solicitar visa de turista (new tab) www.migracion.gob.pa
Visas — EOP (new tab) www.embassyofpanama.org
Turistas – Servicio Nacional de Migración – Panamá (new tab) www.migracion.gob.pa
Preguntas Frecuentes – Servicio Nacional de Migración – Panamá (new tab) www.migracion.gob.pa
SERVICIOS CONSULARES – Ministerio de Relaciones exteriores (new tab) mire.gob.pa
Migración en Línea (new tab) tramites.migracion.gob.pa

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