Panama Retirement Visa
In this post, you'll find important information about the Panama Retirement Visa. This post outlines who can apply for the Panama Retirement Visa, the requirements, and the application process.
Oct 28, 2022
11 min read
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:
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.
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.
Before we get to the application process, there are a few things you should know. These things include:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated tourists must have a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or Antigen) within 72 hours of travel to Panama or be tested at the airport at their own expense. In addition, before checking in, each person entering Panama must complete and sign an electronic sworn affidavit.
Suppose you are traveling from a country classified as a high-risk yellow fever area. In that case, you must bring proof of your yellow fever vaccination.
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:
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.
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.