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Panama Travel: Entry and departure requirements

Visa and Passport

¹Passport

Required for:
A passport that is valid for six months beyond date of travel is required by
all travelers, except:

Not required for:
Nationals of the United States holding proof of U.S. citizenship and a photo
ID.

²Visas and Tourist Cards

Tourist Cards
A Tourist Card is issued in lieu of a visa to certain nationals listed below.  All other nationals must have a visa:

Eligible nationals:

• Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda,
  Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, Greece, Grenada,
  Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of (South) Korea, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé & Principe, Suriname, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Venezuela, and Vatican City

Duration: 30 days
Required documents:  A valid passport or proof of citizenship in one of the countries listed above, plus a fee (some countries are exempt from paying a fee, check with the nearest Panamanian consulate prior to departure).  Tourist Cards are obtained at the airport, either on departure, during the flight, or on arrival in Panama.

Types of visas:
Tourist

*Length of stay:
 - 30 days within a three-month period of issuance. 
 - Visas may be extended for 60 days more while in Panama.

1. Tourist Visa

Required for:
All travelers who do not qualify for a Tourist Card, except the following:

Not required for:

• (Stays up to 90 days)
  Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Cyprus,
  Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom

Duration: 30 days
Required documents:  1 completed application form, 1 photo, proof of sufficient funds, return ticket or onward travel itinerary, plus a fee. AIDS test required for persons adjusting visa status while in Panama.

³Return Ticket
A return ticket is required for entry into Panama by air.

*Restrictions
Immigration regulations are inflexibly enforced. Failure to comply with them will result in forcible return to visitor's country of origin, at the expense of the carrier.  Many of those requiring visas also need special authorization from the Panamanian Immigration authorities prior to entry. Again, check with the Panamanian embassy or consulate for clarification.

Note: Cost for specific visas varies according to nationality, type of visa, and length of stay.  For further information regarding passport and visa requirements and the possibility of other types of visas, check with your consulate or embassy in Panama or the Panamanian Consulate or Embassy of Panama in your country.
Embassy of Panama in the United States: http://usembassy.state.gov/panama/

Immunization

Immigration Department
Director General de Imigracion
Apartado 1870, Balboa 5
Tel: [507] 227-1077
Fax: [507] 227-1227

Duty Free

• Tobacco:
  500 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 500 g tobacco
• Alcohol:
  3 bottles of alcohol
• Perfume:
  Perfume and eau de cologne in opened bottles for personal use

Prohibited or Restricted

Prohibited 

• Explosives
• Drugs and narcotics
• Fruit, vegetable, and animal products

Departure Formalities

Any traveler with a visa is required to obtain an exit permit if they have been in the country more than 30 days. The Treasury Ministry provides a Paz y Salvo form, which the visitor passes along to Immigration, where officials attach the form to your passport and issue an exit stamp valid for one week. All travelers must pay an exit tax of US$20.