Foreigners with nationalities that require an entry visa may enter Panama with visas from Korea, Japan or Singapore

Executive Decree No. 521 of August 6th, 2018 

As of August 8th, 2018, foreigners of nationalities that require a visa to enter the Republic of Panama may enter with a Schengen Visa or current Residency from Korea, Japan or Singapore. 

Comments: 

  • By means of Executive Decree No. 521 of April 6th, 2018, any foreigner who requires a visa to enter the national territory, holding a Visa or valid residency in Korea, Japan or Singapore, may enter Panama, as a tourist, without an entry visa.
  • The Visa must: (i) be granted for multiple entries and exits; (ii) be used at least once to enter the territory of the granting State; and (iii) have a validity of at least six (6) months.
  • This Executive Decree became effective as of August 8th, 2018.

Aspects to be considered: 

  • This Decree includes Korea, Japan and Singapore within the list of exceptions. Previously, the list only included the United States of America, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom, and those holding a Schengen Visa from the European Union.

With this Executive Decree it is provided that the validity of the visa or residency of the above mentioned countries, must be of at least six (6) months, reducing the time established in the previous decree of at least one (1) year of validity.

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Foreigners with nationalities that require an entry visa may enter Panama with a Schengen Visa

By means of the Executive Decree No. 114, as of April 4th, 2018, foreigners of nationalities that require a visa to enter the Republic of Panama may enter with a Schengen Visa or current European Union Residence.

Comments:

  • By means of the Executive Decree No. 114 of April 4th, 2018, any foreigner who requires a visa to enter the national territory, holding a Schengen Visa or valid residence in the European Union, may enter Panama, as a tourist, without an entry visa.
  • The Schengen Visa must: (i) be granted for multiple entries and exits; (ii) be used at least once to enter the territory of the granting State; and (iii) have a validity of at least one (1) year.
  • The Executive Decree became effective as of April 4th, 2018.

 

Aspects to be considered: 

  • This Decree complements the list of exceptions for foreigners that require an authorized or stamped visa, who by holding a Schengen Visa or visas issued by the United States of America, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom, won’t need to apply for entry visas to the Republic of Panama.

By means of this Decree, the Schengen Visa is reincluded, after being eliminated by Executive Decree No. 591 of December 28, 2016, published in the Official Gazette as of January 2017.

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Citizens of the Republic of India will require a Stamped Visa to enter in Panamanian territory

By means of the Executive Decree No. 113 of April 4th, 2018, the Republic of India is included within the countries that require Stamped Visa issued by Panamanian Consulate, to enter the national territory.

Comments: 

  • This Executive Decree only applies to nationals of the Republic of India.
  • Officials from the National Immigration Authority and the National Security Council will be appointed at the Panamanian Consulates in India to verify the immigration requirements and the security backgrounds of each applicant.
  • The cost of the Stamped Visa may not exceed Fifty Dollars (US$50.00).
  • Stamped Visas can be granted for multiple entries and exits, and up to three (3) years, according to the verification criteria of the designated officials.
  • This Decree will become effective as of June 1st, 2018.

Aspects to be considered:

Nationals of the Republic of India:

  • Will not require a Tourist Visa (authorized) nor Certification to file residence (VTR) before the National Immigration Authority, which will considerably reduce the requirements and time to obtain immigration processes in Panama.

Holding a Visa duly issued by the United States of America, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom or a Schengen Visa, (i) granted for multiple entries and exits; (ii) that has been used at least once to enter the territory of the granting State; and (iii) with a validity of at least one (1) year, may enter the national territory without the requirement of a Stamped Visa (Executive Decree No. 591 of December 28th, 2016 and Executive Decree No. 114 of April 4th, 2018).

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Travel permit for minors will be online

As of April 1st, the travel permits for minors must be done only digitally. 

Comments:

  1. The interested party must access the website of the National Immigration Authority (migracion.gob.pa), then go to the section “Online Immigration” – option “Requests” and thus access to “Minors Permits”.
  2. Attach the following documents in PDF:
    • Copy of Passport (Residents) or Panamanian cédula of the Minor (Panamanians); and,
    • Copy of Passport (Residents) or Panamanian cédula of both parents (Panamanians).
  3. Once the online application is completed, the interested party must carry the printed authorization letter to any of the Notaries nationwide, where they will verify the data and register a digital copy of this process in the electronic platform.
  4. It is also recommended to carry the original documents to the Airport, since the National Immigration Authority may request them for verification.
  5. In the event that the two (2) parents travel with the child, they will only require their passports, Panamanian cédula of the minor (Panamanians) or Birth Certificate (Residents).
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