New requirements for admission as a tourist to the Republic of Panama

Resolution No. 22068 of September 1, 2021, published in the Official Gazette on September 3, 2021 (hereinafter “The Resolution”), establishes the requirements for entering the country as a tourist.

RELEVANT MEASURES:

The most relevant measures included in the Resolution are:

• Foreign persons who occasionally enter the national territory without the intention of establishing residence in Panama or abandoning their residence of origin while they are in Panama are considered tourists, provided that:
  • (i) They enter for the exclusive purpose of recreation, shopping, business, medical tourism, visiting, among other similar purposes.
  • (ii) Have their own and adequate financial resources to support themselves while their tenure lasts; and,
  • (iii) Comply with the departure from Panamanian territory, upon expiration of the authorized period.

• As of October 1, 2021, the legal term for the stay of tourists in Panama is reestablished, which may not be longer than three (3) months, counted from their entry into the territory as a tourist, according to what is established in Decree Law 3 of 2008.

• Nationals of countries that do not require an entry visa, will enjoy a term of up to three (3) months of tourism, counted from the date of entry into the country. For their entry, they must present:

• • 1. Nationals of countries that do not require an entry visa, will enjoy a term of up to three (3) months of tourism, counted from the date of entry into the country. For their entry, they must present:
  • 2. Checked reservation to leave the country, within the established period.
  • 3. Proof of economic solvency according to the term of stay, consistent with the terms declared for the stay and which may not be less than USD 500.00.
  • 4. Comply with the sanitary standards established by the Ministry of Health.

• When the foreign person from a country that has a visa suppression agreement or who is a national of a country that does not require a visa, wishes to enter Panama by invitation of a Panamanian person, temporary, provisional or permanent resident, prior to the date of entry, the invitee must present the following documents to the National Immigration Authority:
  • 1. Copy of the applicant’s passport.
  • 2. Letter of invitation in which the reasons on which the invitation is based and the purposes of admission of the person, who undertakes to take charge, assume their financial support and repatriation expenses.
  • 3. When the invitee is a natural person, a copy of the identity card or residence card must be provided. In case of being a legal person, it must be accompanied by copy of the public registration certificate of the company and the operations notice, operation code or license.
  • 4. The invitee must prove financial solvency, consistent with the period of stay with one of the following options:
  • Bank certification or statement of account for the last month that reflects the available balances of not less than four low figures.
  • Credit card with the statement of account from the last month that reflects the available balances.
  • Job letter accompanied by a file from the Social Security Fund, where a salary of not less than USD 1,000.00 is verified.
  • Document that proves the pension or retirement accrued not less than USD 1,000.00, with its proof of payment.
  • Income statement for the previous fiscal year.
  • Certified check on behalf of the applicant.
  • Any other option that proves the income and that is acceptable to the National Immigration Authority.

• The National Immigration Authority may reject the request when there is a notorious and unjustified recurrence of invitations made by a single person or related invitees.
• Nationals of countries that do require a visa to enter the country, must comply with the established prior authorization requests. Upon arrival, they will enjoy a period of up to one (1) month
  to stay as tourists in the country.

Comments:

• The National Immigration Authority includes the definition of tourist and restores the general period of stay for tourists.
• The National Immigration Authority includes the definition of tourist and restores the general period of stay for tourists.
• Those who upon arrival are granted a period of less than three (3) months for their stay as tourists, may opt for an extension of their tourism period, which must be carried out during the current period of their stay. The total term of the tourism period may not exceed three (3) months.
• The Resolution entered into force as of September 3^rd, 2021.