Travel To Panama: Tourist Visa Travel Requirements and Application Process

Before you start planning your Panamanian getaway, there are a few things you need to know first. Some citizens require an entry visa, also known as a Tourist Visa or a Business Visa.

This all depends on your purpose in visiting Panama, but I'll cover everything you need to know about the Panama Tourist Visa in this post.

We'll cover everything you need to know about the Panama Tourist Visa in this post. In addition, I will give information such as the Panama Visa fees, how long your Tourist Visa will be valid, and how to apply for the Panama Tourist Visa.

Let's get to it:

How To Get Your Panama Tourist Visa Without A Sweat

Before scrolling through many websites to find out how to get your Panama Tourist Visa, I suggest you apply through Atlys.

Applying for your visa can't be easier. All you need to do is provide some personal and travel information. Then the rest you can leave up to them. Welcome to the new generation of visa applications.

What Is The Panama Tourist Visa?

Before we get started with all the ins and outs of the Panama Tourist Visa, let me first explain what the Panama Tourist Visa is. If you plan a trip to Panama for tourism, you must apply for a Panama Tourist Visa. This type of visa allows you to travel to Panama for tourism purposes.

Later in this post, I will cover the Panama Tourist Visa required documents and the application process. Please feel free to use the provided links if you would like to skip ahead to these sections.

An Overview Of The Panama Visa

Before we get to the application process, there are a few things you should know. These things include:

Who Needs To Apply For The Panama Tourist Visa?

Citizens Who Apply For The Visa Waiver Program

Citizens That Can Travel To Panama Without A Tourist Visa

Citizens That Can Travel Without A Visa If They Are A Diplomatic Passport Holder

Citizens That Require An Authorized Visa

Citizens That Require A Stamped Visa

Who Needs To Apply For The Panama Tourist Visa?

As I mentioned earlier, the Panama Tourist Visa offers some visa exemptions for certain international travelers. Although it seems pretty straightforward, there are some strings attached.

Citizens Who Apply For The Visa Waiver Program

According to the Executive Decree No. 591, the following is applicable:

"Those who hold a valid passport with a 6 months validity left and a multiple entry visa with a remaining one-year validity from one of the following countries: United States of America, Australia, Canada, or United Kingdom, which has been used at least once to enter these countries, may enter the Republic of Panama regardless of nationality."

I know this might be a mouthful, but it basically states that you can enter Panama without a visa regardless of your nationality if you have a visa or permanent residency in one of the countries below.

Citizens That Can Travel To Panama Without A Tourist Visa

Perhaps you don't have a valid one-year visa for one of the countries I mentioned earlier. In that case, there is still a chance that you don't require a Panama Tourist Visa. Countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Japan, Singapore, and European countries don't need a Panama Tourist Visa. Don't get too stressed if I didn't mention your country above. You can head over to the Panamanian Consular website to check if you enjoy visa-free travel to Panama.

Citizens That Can Travel Without A Visa If They Are A Diplomatic Passport Holder

Although countries such as the Dominican Republic and Haiti don't enjoy visa-free travel to Panama, there are exceptions if you have a diplomatic passport. For example, suppose you have a diplomatic passport for one of the following countries. In that case, you don't have to apply for the Panama Tourist Visa.

Cuba

The Dominican Republic

Haiti

Indonesia

The Philippines

The Republic of China

Venezuela

Citizens That Require An Authorized Visa

Citizens who are not eligible for the visa waiver and need to apply for the authorized visa must head over to their closest Panamanian Embassy or Consulate to get their visa printed in their valid passport. Citizens from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, and Liberia must apply for the authorized visa. You can check out the complete list on the Embassy of Panama's website.

Citizens That Require A Stamped Visa

If you are from a country that doesn't require you to do an authorized visa application, you only need a stamped visa. This means that you still need to do a Panama Visa application, but you only receive a stamp on your passport, and you enjoy a faster visa processing time. The stamped visa includes Cuba, Ghana, India, and Venezuela citizens. Head over to the Panama Consulate website for the complete list of countries that applies for the stamped visa.

The Panama Tourist Visa Explained

Now that you know what the Panama Tourist Visa is, we can get to the more detailed information. This section will cover everything you need to know about the Panama Tourist Visa, and I will explain who needs to apply for the Panama Tourist Visa.

How Long Can I Stay In Panama With The Panama Tourist Visa?

What Is The Panama Tourist Visa Fee?

What Is The Panama Tourist Visa Processing Time?

How Long Can I Stay In Panama With The Panama Tourist Visa?

Your stay can vary depending on whether you are applying to enter via the visa waiver program. You do not need to apply for a tourist visa or the Panama Tourist Visa.

I know this can be confusing, so I made a list of the duration of stays depending on how you enter Panama. Here it is:

Entering with the visa waiver program: 30 days

Entering without a visa: 3 months (180-days)

Entering with a stamped or authorized visa: 3 months (180-days)

What Is The Panama Tourist Visa Fee?

As you might have guessed, there is a Panama Tourist Visa fee. Although the visa fees are generally straightforward, the Panama Tourist Visa fee must be paid in two different sections, namely:

Visa fee paid to the National Immigration Service: 50 USD

Visa fee paid to the Consulate of Panama: 10 USD

Remember that you can pay your Panama Tourist Visa fee with your debit or credit card when submitting your visa application. Your visa application can be submitted at your nearest Panamanian Consulate or Embassy, but more on that later.

What Is The Panama Tourist Visa Processing Time?

The Panama Tourist Visa processing time can be anything between 30-60 days. It all depends on if you're applying for an authorized entry visa or stamped visa. The authorized visa can take about 60 days to be processed, and the stamped visa can take up to 30 days.

What Are The Requirements For Citizens Qualifying For The Visa Waiver Program?

As I mentioned early, some citizens can enjoy visa-free traveling if they qualify for the visa waiver program. However, although you can travel without a visa, you must provide the following travel documents to the immigration authorities.

Have a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months of validity left

Have a multiple entry visa with a remaining ONE-year validity from ONE of these countries: USA, Australia, Canada, or the United Kingdom

You must have used this visa to enter the country. For example, if you have a United States Visa, you must have entered the U.S. with that visa to qualify for the waiver

Immigration officials are accepting as valid the entrance of the holders of a United States permanent resident card under this law

Additionally, show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of 500 USD upon entry. If you want to show that you have enough money to cover your stay with card instead of cash you need to take a screenshot of your bank balance to show Immigration Updates.

What Are The Panama Tourist Visa Requirements?

Suppose you do not qualify for the visa waiver or do not enjoy visa-free travel. In that case, you must apply for the Panama Tourist Visa. Here is a list of required documents that must accompany your Panama Tourist Visa application:

Completed and signed visa application form

Copies of ALL pages of your passport, with the passport having at least six months validity before the intended travel

Reservation or flight itinerary of continuation of a trip or electronic ticket

Copy of a valid ID

Three photographs (size: 2x2, with white background)

Proof of economic solvency during the stay, which must be no less than 500 USD (bank statement, travelers check

The last visa that was approved by the immigration authorities (if applicable)

Hotel itinerary

How To Apply For The Panama Tourist Visa?

Now we can finally get to the Panama Tourist Visa application process. I know visa applications can be intimidating, but there is nothing to worry about. Just follow these 5 easy steps to apply for your Panama Tourist Visa.

Step 1: Gather The Required Documents

Step 2: Complete The Application Form

Step 3: Send Your Documents To Your Nearest Consulate

Step 4: Wait For Your Visa To Be Processed

Step 5: Get Your Approved Panama Tourist Visa

Step 1: Gather The Required Documents

The first and most important thing you must do is gather all the required documents. As I mentioned earlier, you will need these documents to apply for the Panama Tourist Visa.

Traveler tip: Always make extra copies of each document just in case something gets lost or misplaced.

Step 2: Complete The Application Form

After you have gathered all the required documents, you should complete the application form. When filling out the application form, you will be required to give some personal and travel information.

The application form is straightforward and isn't complicated at all.

Step 3: Send Your Documents To Your Nearest Consulate

Now that you are set with your travel documents, you must send them to the nearest Panama Embassy or Consulate. I suggest you contact them to find out if you should use a visa service or if you can send the documents to them via a courier service.

Step 4: Wait For Your Visa To Be Processed

The hard work is finally over. All you can do now is wait for your Panama Tourist Visa to be processed. As I mentioned earlier, you can expect to wait 30 days if you aren't applying for an authorized visa or 60 days if you are.

You will be notified via SMS, email, or phone call when your Panama Tourist Visa has been processed.

Step 5: Get Your Approved Panama Tourist Visa

The last thing you need to do is head over to the Panama Embassy/Consulate to get your stamped visa or printed in your valid passport.

Can I Extend A Panama Tourist Visa?

Yes, you can! If you enter Panama on a Tourist Visa, you can extend it for an additional 60 days. However, you need to make sure you apply for the extension before your visa expires.

How Can I Extend My Panama Tourist Visa?

If you have been given a tourist stamp or visa valid for less than 90 days, you can apply for an extension while in the country called prórroga de Turista. Before your term expires, you’ll need to visit the Immigration office in Tumba Muerto, Panama City.

Get Ready For Your Panama Getaway!

I hope you are all packed and ready to go because you're on your way to Panama. The last thing you need to do is sit back, relax and plan your next trip.