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Executive Decree No. 20 of August 8th, 2025, published in the Official Gazette on August 8th, 2025, extends the validity of Executive Decree No. 188 of October 3rd, 2024, which established temporary measures to recognize the validity of expired passports of Venezuelan citizens within Panamanian territory.
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Validity: Under this Decree, expired Venezuelan passports are recognized as valid for a period of six (6) months, from April 5th, 2025, through February 8th, 2026.
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Scope of Application: Such passports shall be recognized in both the public and private sectors, for immigration, labor, tax, educational, and commercial procedures, as well as for obtaining driver’s licenses.
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Requirements: This measure applies to all Venezuelan nationals holding an expired passport:
- Who are present within the territory of the Republic of Panama; and
- Whose passport expired on or after April 5th, 2025.
- Entry into Force: This Decree entered into force on August 8th, 2025.
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Regulatory Background: Executive Decree No. 188 of October 3rd, 2024, recognized expired Venezuelan passports as valid for a period of six (6) months. That measure applied from September 1st, 2023, until April 4th, 2025, in both the public and private sectors, for immigration, labor, tax, educational, and commercial procedures, as well as for obtaining driver’s licenses
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Extension: Executive Decree No. 20 extends the validity of Executive Decree No. 188 from April 5th, 2025, through February 8th, 2026.
For more information, please contact please contact our Immigration Law team: