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Ruins, old town, Panama City

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Panama: visa and passport requirements

Passport required Return ticket required Visa required
Australian Yes Yes (1)
British Yes Yes No
Canadian Yes Yes (1)
Other EU Yes Yes (2)
USA Yes Yes (1)
Passports: 

To enter Panama, a passport valid for a minimum of six months is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport note: 

Many nationals requiring visas also require authorisation from the Immigration Authorities in Panama before entry.

Visas: 

Visas are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days, with a possibility of extending to another 90, except:

(1) nationals of Australia, Canada and USA who will be issued a tourist card in lieu of a visa for stays of up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at the discretion of the immigration authorities; the price is US$5 and is sometimes included in the airfare);

(2) nationals of Bulgaria and Romania  who do require a visa.

Visa note: 

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Panama. When flying into Bocas del Toro, a US$13 entry fee for a visa stamp may be required for citizens of Australia, Japan, Canada and US. Always check in advance with your Panama Embassy if you are required to get a visa, as lists change frequently.

Types and cost: 

There are few countries whose citizens require stamped visas in advance. For those who do, however, a tourist visa is $135 plus any service fee.

Tourist card prices vary, depending on nationality, and also on where the tourist card is obtained from (eg prior to departure, on the flight or upon arrival at the airport). For most people who require a tourist card however, the fee is US$5.

Some nationals can obtain the tourist card free of charge (including nationals of the USA). Enquire at the consulate for details.

Validity: 

Visas and tourist cards are valid within a three-month period from the date of issue and allow stays for up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at discretion of immigration authorities).

Transit: 

International travellers in transit in Panama do not require a visa provided they don’t pass immigration and are staying less than twelve hours. For anyone staying longer or leaving the airport, the above rules apply for visas

Application to: 

Consulate (or consular section at embassy). A tourist card can be issued either by the travel agent or on the flight or at the airport.

Schengen visas: 

Citizens of Schengen countries do not need visas for Panama.

Temporary residence: 

Visas for temporary residence are granted to those studying in Panama, those visiting relatives, those having medical treatment or those working with international firms. Apply to your embassy in this instance.

Working days: 

Normally 24 hours if no authorisation is needed; up to 40 days if authorisation (which depends on nationality) is needed.

Sufficient funds: 

Travellers should be ready to show that they are carrying “sufficient funds”; in this case, US$500 or travellers’ cheques. In practice, travellers are not often asked and sometimes a credit card or display of wealth is enough, but failure to show funds if asked can result in refusal of entry.

Entry documents: 

You must carry proof of an onward journey to enter Panama – in practice it may not be asked for, but it is technically required and grounds for refusal of entry if missing. Having a yellow fever certificate if coming from a yellow fever area is highly recommended.

Extension of stay: 

Once in Panama, it is usually possible to extend your stay by 30, 60 or 90 days, at the discretion of the immigration authorities. If applying for an extension, looking clean and presentable will go a long way.

Entry with children: 

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

Entry restrictions: 

Panama law allows for the deportation/refusal of entry of those with HIV/AIDS. You are not legally required to declare this on entry and actual occurrences of this are few and far between.

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 your 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.
 

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