The Panamanian Tourist Visa for your Holiday or Visiting a Family
If you are considering of going to Panama as a tourist or to visit a relative or friend, then applying for a Panamanian tourist visa can become a necessary task.
Usually, a visitor can apply for the necessary Panamanian tourist visa online/ at the nearest Panamanian embassy in the country of your residence for a stay in Panama of up to three months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of Panamanian Tourist Visa
Before applying for a tourist visa for Panama, it is recommended you check whether you meet all the Panamanian visa requirements.
A brief summary of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the tourist visa for Panama:
- You do not plan to conduct volunteer work that can otherwise be undertaken by a paid employee in Panama.
- You do not intend to participate in an employment relationship in Panama.
- You do not intend to supply services to Panamanian organisations (this is allowed with a Panamanian work visa or business visa).
- You do not mean to provide or offer services or products to consumers in Panama.
- You and your family members are not in debt to the Panama Government.
- You do not pose a risk to the health or safety of residents of Panama.
- You are able to demonstrate that you have enough funds to finance your visit and return from Panama.
Do I require a Panamanian tourist visa?
It depends on your citizenship and also the type of travel document you are using to take a trip to Panama.Please go here to verify if you require a Panamanian visa.
Exactly who can get a Panamanian tourist visa?
Any person wanting to go on holiday to Panama can request a Panamanian tourist visa.
There are several types of visa for Panama which you can use as a visitor to Panama. If you are not exactly sure which type of Panamanian tourist visa you require to apply, please get in touch with the local Panamanian visa office to get more clarification as aim of this web page is to give you general overview when applying for Panamanian tourist visa.
What type of Panamanian visa do I need?
This depends on 3 aspects:
- The nationality according to your passport – If the citizenship according to the passport is from a nation that is on visa free travel to Panama or eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Panama, then you may not need to obtain a Panamanian tourist visa before departure from your home country. Please click on this link to find out if you need a Panamanian visa.
- The duration of your trip in Panama – If you intend to remain in Panama for a shorter duration less than ninety days, then you can get the Panamanian tourist visa. If you want to stay longer, then contact the nearest Panamanian visa office to obtain the appropriate visa for your travel.
- The activities you like to carry out in Panama – If your sole reason of travelling is for vacation, then you can apply for all types of Panamanian tourist visas mentioned on this web page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Obtain Panamanian Traveller Visa
- Tourist visa application form for Panama – Completed Panamanian visa application form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months prior to going into Panama and 3 months after leaving Panama. It must have at least two extra visa web pages and can not be older than ten years.
- Passport type photo – Photo has to be no older than 6 months and should be 35 x 40mm in width.
- Previous passport – Provide a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Panamanian visas information if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Panama – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some scenarios the Panamanian visa office may request pre paid flight tickets to Panama.
- Travel insurance – Proof of travel insurance policy with a minimum cover set by the Panamanian embassy provided with the Certificate of Insurance and the table of benefits. The travel insurance have to cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency must be issued by an insurer. If you are considering utilizing your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Panama, please call Panamanian embassy for additional information and travel insurance policy requirements for the Panamanian visa.
- Original bank statements – Original bank statements for the last 3 months revealing adequate funds to cover your visit in Panama. If statements are printed online then it has to be Validated (stamped) by the financial institution representatives.
- Hotel Reservations in Panama – Copy of confirmed hotel reservations including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, time-span of stay. In most circumstances, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Employment letter – This letter should be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, validating your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly income and annual leave. Also, please provide your 3 most recent pay slips. If you are self-employed: provide certified copies of company registration, tax return.
- For students. Please supply the following:
- Evidence of current student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming ongoing enrolment, verifying the payment of tuition fees or any scholarships, and confirming semester break.
- Insurance policy from Organisation/University – Give a letter from the University stating the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance policy for the whole trip along with the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
Generally, visa applications for Panamanian visa should be submitted for a maximum of 6 months, and no later than 15 days, before the trip.