Panama Passport Visa | Think Panama and what springs to mind? The canal? Cigars? Straw hats? Probably all three. However, for those in the know, this slender Central American nation is much more than that; it is a land of wildlife-rich rainforests and remote indigenous communities; Miami-esque promenades and paradisiacal beaches; verdant volcanoes and the impenetrable wilderness of the Darien Gap.
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Firstly, the canal. Though considered to be the star attraction (thousands flock here to watch container ships passing through the locks) the wild landscapes it scythes through are an altogether more exciting prospect. Here you can hike volcanoes, zip-wire over forest canopies, raft down rapids and meet one of the country’s largest indigenous groups, the Kunas, who eke out simple, traditional lives on the sumptuous San Blas Islands.
The Caribbean coastline features another facet of Panamanian culture. Jamaicans and Barbadians, drafted in to build the canal, ended up settling here and an Afro-Caribbean vibe endures to this day. The nearby Bocas del Toro islands, meanwhile, are the definition of Caribbean island ideal with their palm-fringed beaches, limpid lagoons and sleepy eco-lodges.
The wildlife is also spectacular. Whale watching in the Golfo de Chiriquí is a must and you never forget scuba diving or snorkeling alongside turtles in the Coiba National Marine Park. Its birdlife surpasses neighbouring Costa Rica and the most treasured sightings are the iconic harpy eagle, Panama’s national bird, and the endangered great green macaw.
With so much natural beauty to imbibe, it is easy to overlook the bustling capital, Panama City. But don’t. A metropolis divided starkly between the past and present, it is a city where crumbling colonial buildings stand in the shadows of high-rise steel and glass towers. It feels a little bit like Miami and the locals certainly give their US counterparts a run for their money in the hedonism stakes. Come join the party.
Please Note: Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing, We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel. See also: List of countries with Visa Application form
IMMIGRATION AND VISAS
All travelers are required to present the passport, except in the following cases:
1. Panama citizens, provided they carry proof of nationality:
– Certificate of citizenship or naturalization, or
– DNI, or
– Birth Certificate.
2 . Travelers with a ‘ Laissez-Passer’ issued by the United Nations.
3 . Refugees and people without nationality or citizenship as long as they carry proof of permission to enter, issued before arrival, through the foreign representations of Panama.
4. Travelers with a ‘ Seaman Book’ whenever they are on duty.
5. US citizens with an Original Birth Certificate or Naturalization Documents as long as the documents are accompanied by official photo identification, such as a voter registration card or driver’s license. Acceptance is subject to the judgment of the immigration authorities. Therefore, it is highly recommended to travel with a passport.
6. Travelers with ‘ Kinderausweis ‘, a German identity document issued to minors on condition that it contains a photo of the child.
Document validity
The passport and / or alternative documentation must be valid on arrival, at least three months after the planned visit.
to. Panama citizens with expired passports are accepted.
b. Panama citizens with alternative documents must be valid upon arrival.
c. Panama residents can enter with valid travel documents upon arrival.
Visa granting
Before arrival: Travelers should contact the closest representation in Panama.
Visa exemptions
All travelers are required to present the visa, except:
1. The citizens of Panama.
2. Travelers whose stay does not exceed 30 days as long as they are citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Republic of Korea, Monaco, Nicaragua, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Uruguay and Vatican City.
3. Travelers whose stay does not exceed 90 days provided they are citizens of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
4. Travelers whose stay does not exceed 90 days provided they are citizens of the Netherlands; this extension does not apply if they have a passport issued in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles.
5. Travelers whose stay does not exceed 90 days provided they have a British passport, regardless of approval in the passport on citizenship, except for travelers with a British passport with the inscription ‘British National Overseas’ (British Overseas Citizen) .
6. Travelers whose stay does not exceed 90 days provided they are:
6.1. Citizens with diplomatic, official, consular, special passports from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ukraine or Vietnam;
6.2. Citizens with official, consular or diplomatic passports provided they are from Colombia, Mexico, the Philippine Islands and Trinidad and Tobago;
6.3. Citizens of: Romania, Russia, United States of America or Venezuela with service, diplomatic, official, consular or special passport.
7. Travelers arriving specifically for business or tourism as long as they carry a stamped visa or a Tourist Card valid for 30 days, which is issued to citizens of the Netherlands (Does not apply if they have a passport issued in the Antilles Dutch and Aruba).
8. Persons without nationality or citizenship and refugees with proof of entry authorization issued before arrival by foreign representations of Panama.
9. Travelers with a Chinese Taipei passport on condition that they are members of the Taiwan International Development and Cooperation Fund and have a Tourist Card.
10. Travelers with an official or diplomatic passport, previously authorized by the Panamanian Foreign Ministry, provided they are traveling on an official mission. It is necessary to notify the Mission Chancellery.
11. Foreign residents of Panama, provided they have a re-entry permit.
12. Tourism or business travelers provided they carry a stamped visa or Tourist Card valid for 30 days, and issued to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America or Venezuela, and
– Travelers with Chinese passports from Taipei.
NB
– A Tourist Card can be issued by airlines or at airport offices, upon payment of $ 5 or its equivalent, provided that travelers have a normal passport.
– The visa exemption applies as long as the travelers have not received any type of compensation and as long as they carry return or transit tickets. To facilitate the trip, it is preferable that the Tourist Card be issued before arrival, along with the ticket.
– Transport companies can also issue Tourist Cards on flights of other airlines.
– Passport size photos are not required.
TWOV (Visa Free Transit)
1. TWOV travelers are allowed to continue their journey to a third country within 12 hours, provided they have all the necessary documents for their next trip and confirmed return tickets. Travelers cannot leave the airport transit area.
2. TWOV does not apply to persons without nationality or citizenship and refugees.
Additional Information
1. Travelers with Palestinian documents require a stamped and confirmed visa, issued by the nearest Panamanian consulate or a consulate in the country of residence. The authorization must be requested through the National Immigration Directorate, Ministry of Justice, Panama City.
2. It is possible to extend the planned visit for an additional 60 days, and this service is especially offered to travelers with British passports, regardless of the approval in the passport regarding their citizenship with the exception of the inscription ‘British National Overseas’ ( British Overseas Citizen) , provided the traveler is registered with the National Immigration Department, Ministry of Justice, Panama City.
3. Citizens of the Philippines and Haiti with normal passports must have a stamped and confirmed visa. The permit must be requested through a ‘Visa Authorization Form’ and must indicate that entry is permitted by the National Immigration Department, Ministry of Justice, Panama City.
4. Due to the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak, all travelers arriving from Mexico will have to fill out a declaration provided by the Ministry of Health officials.
5. All travelers must have:
– All necessary documents for their next trip, and
– Transit or return tickets, and
– A clear and sufficient means of support.
5.1. Exemption:
Travelers with Chinese Taipei passports as long as they are members of the Taiwan International Development and Cooperation Fund can travel with a one-way ticket.
6.Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Republic of Yemen, Zambia, provided they carry a stamped and confirmed Panamanian visa. The permit must be requested through a ‘Visa Authorization Form’, stating that entry is allowed by the National Immigration Department, Ministry of Justice, Panama City.
7. Travelers with a British passport with the inscription ‘British National Overseas’ must have a confirmed and stamped visa. The permit must be requested through a ‘Visa Authorization Form’, stating that entry is allowed by the National Immigration Department, Ministry of Justice, Panama City.
8. It is possible to extend the planned visit for another 60 days, and this service is special for citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia , Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands (does not apply if they have a passport issued in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba), Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and Vatican City provided the traveler is registered with the National Department of Immigration, Ministry of Justice, Panama City.
Notices
If the traveler does not abide by the entry or transit rules, they will be denied entry and deported to their country of origin, at the expense of the transport company. In addition, the transportation company will have to pay fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 USD.
CUSTOMS AND CURRENCIES
There are no import restrictions on:
1. A moderate amount of lotion, eau de cologne, and perfume in open bottles for personal use.
2. Gift items up to a maximum value of PAB 50.
3. 500 grams of tobacco or 500 cigarettes.
4. 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages.
The following items are prohibited: meat and animal products, including shrimp and shrimp larvae, vegetables and fruits.
Export regulations
There are restrictions on the export of pets, for which a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture is required.
Pets
1. – Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a certificate of vaccination against rabies and a certificate from the veterinarian that must be issued within a period of 30 days to 16 months from the date of arrival.
– Birds (only two birds are allowed per traveler) must be accompanied by a veterinary medical certificate. The importation of birds of any kind is prohibited if it comes from Mexico.
– Importing birds also requires a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture of Panama City. For more information, contact the nearest Panamanian consulate or embassy.
– Adult birds will be isolated for 15 days.
– The aforementioned certificates must be authorized by the Panamanian Consulate.
– All dogs and cats will be isolated on arrival by the traveler for a period of 40 days. A quarantine facility can be requested from the Ministry of Health using a form that specifies the color, origin, species of the animal and the owner’s address in Panama.
– Pets can be collected only from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 12:00.
Fee: $ 10 is paid for the vet exam; $ 6 for an import license and $ 3.50 for each day of quarantine.
NB
The animal will be slaughtered, if the necessary documents are not provided, and a fee ranging from $ 25 to $ 100 is imposed on the owner.
* Exceptions :
Only pets in transit on the same plane or on the same day on their way abroad.
2. Additional information
– An authorization issued by the Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry is required in advance for the import and export of animals and biological products for veterinary use and eggs for hatching purposes. This authorization must be issued by a veterinarian from the Department of Agricultural Quarantine of Panama, which is a division of the Department of Animal Health. The document must be confirmed by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of origin.
– The air carrier must obtain this confirmed document before shipping these products. The transport company that does not obtain this document will be responsible for returning the mentioned products to their country of origin or for their destruction, under the official veterinary control of an authorized employee of the Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry of Panama.
Baggage regulations clearance
Luggage must be collected at the airport of final destination in Panama, provided it is an international airport with customs service.
* Exemptions :
The luggage of travelers in the transit area with destination outside of Panama, provided they continue their journey on the same international flight.
Airport taxes
All travelers leaving Panama are required to pay an airport tax of $ 20.
Place of payment: Airport of departure
* Exemptions :
1. Members of the consular or diplomatic missions assigned to Panama (and their accompanying relatives) on the basis of reciprocal treatment.
2. Aircrew members whenever they are on duty.
3. Travelers who do not leave the airport and who have papers and tickets with confirmed reservations to a third country within 9 hours.
4. Children under two years of age.
Currency import regulations
There are no restrictions on the import of local currency (Panamanian Balboa-PAB) only in the form of currencies and the United States dollar (USD) in banknotes and foreign currency.
NB
One US $ equals one PAB.
Foreign currency export regulations
There are no restrictions on the export of local currency (Panamanian Balboa-PAB) only in the form of currencies and the United States dollar (USD) in banknotes and foreign currency.
NB
One US $ equals one PAB.
Additional information on regulations
Panama is a member of the CITES Treaty.
Wild Fauna and Flora
Panama is one of the members of the CITES treaty (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
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