VISAS AND IMMIGRATION
All tourists arriving in Panama must carry a valid passport with at least six months left before expiry, a flight ticket to the next destination of the trip or a return ticket, and a proof of sufficient funds, such as a credit card, cash, check book or traveller’s checks.
No Visa Required
The citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Panama:
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holland (the Netherlands), Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom or Uruguay.
Stamped Visa
A stamped visa does not require a previous authorization of the Panamanian Migration Office, and can be obtained at a Panamanian Consulate before traveling to Panama.
The citizens of the following countries require a stamped visa to visit Panama:
Chad, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Philippines, Peru, Russia, and Thailand.
Tourist Card
Valid for 30 days, airlines usually sell the tourist cards for $5.00 to passengers as they check-in at the airport before a flight to Panama. If the airline did not provide you with a tourist card, they can be purchased on arrival at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City from the Immigration Authorities. Some Tourist Cards allow stays of up to 90 days; otherwise an extension of two months may be obtained at the Central Immigration Office.
The citizens of the following countries may visit Panama with a tourist card:
Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, Curacao (Dutch Antilles), Granada, Guyana, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Paraguay, San Marino Santa Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, South Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Venezuela and Western Samoa.
Authorized Visa
Citizens who wish to visit Panama and who are not from the previously mentioned states will need to obtain an authorized visa at a Panamanian Consulates in their country, or through a lawyer in Panama.
Residence Permits
The following are the categories of individuals entitled to residence in Panama:
- Temporary Residents: includes foreigners who enter Panama reasons of work, education, culture, religion, humanitarian purposes or family reunification. They usually are valid for periods of up to six years.
- Permanent Residents: includes foreigners who enter the country for economic or investment reasons, with the intent to settle in the country.
- Foreigners under the protection of the Republic of Panama.
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