Visa Requirements for Panamanian Citizens

Visa requirements for citizens of Panama are the rules for entering each sovereign state around the world that Panamanians must follow.

There are different visa requirements for Panamanians depending on the destination. The type of travel permit also varies according to the length of time they plan to stay and the purpose of the visit.

According to the Henley Passport Index, the Panamanian passport is ranked 34th strongest in the world in terms of travel freedom in 2021. It allows holders to enter over 140 countries and territories without a visa from a foreign embassy.

Panamanian nationals can obtain a visa or travel authorization online for a number of destinations. This is regarded as the easiest and quickest option for getting an entry permit.

Visitors from Panama can apply for one of these electronic visas (eVisas) or electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) from the comfort of their own home.

Several countries have a visa on arrival service for Panamanians. This can be obtained by standing in line at border control after arriving at the destination. However, it can mean that the Panamanian traveler has to spend some time waiting at immigration.

The visa requirements for Panamanian citizens to visit various countries include having to obtain a visa from a diplomatic mission (an embassy or consulate). It may be necessary to apply for a specific type of visa for the purpose of the trip, such as a tourist visa or business visa.

Almost all countries require Panamanians to obtain an embassy visa to relocate to and/or work in that destination.

There are also several countries and territories that have no visa requirements for Panamanian nationals for short-term visits. This visa-exemption is usually limited to tourism, transit, and, in some cases, business.

Find more information about the visa requirements for Panamanian travelers in the guide below.

List of Visa Countries for Panamanian Passport Holders

Panamanian passport holders must apply for a visa to visit over 160 countries and territories.

The terms of visas for Panamians vary depending on the destination. Some countries only issue single-entry visas, while others allow multiple entries.

Many countries have an eVisa or eTA available to visitors from Panama. These are typically easy to obtain by completing a simple online application form.

These digital entry permits generally allow short-term visits for tourism and leisure as well as transit through the destination country. In some cases, Panamanians may also use them for business trips and other purposes.

Travelers from Panama can apply for a visa on arrival for some destinations. Similarly, these usually allow short stays for tourism. However, if a visa on arrival application is denied, there is no time to resolve the issue and the traveler will not be allowed to enter the country.

Some sovereign states require Panamanian citizens to apply for a visa in person at an embassy before traveling, regardless of the length or purpose of the trip. The application process is generally longer than for online visas.

Browse the map below to see the visa requirements for Panamanian visitors to countries around the world.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization for Panamanian Citizens

Citizens of Panama can obtain entry permits online for various countries and territories.

Depending on the destination, this may be an electronic visa (eVisa) or an E-Tourist Card.

Over 35 countries have an eVisa for Panamanians.

Electronic visas for some destinations allow a single entry, while others are multiple-entry permits.

An eVisa for citizens of Panama is valid for short-term visits. Depending on the destination, the longest that a Panamanian national can stay in a foreign country with an eVisa varies between 28 and 120 days.

Electronic visas for Panamanians typically allow entry for tourism and leisure purposes. Holders may also transit through the destination country to a third destination. In some cases, other reasons for visiting, such as business trips, may also be allowed.

Panamanian citizens can obtain an eVisa by applying online. These digital systems are streamlined and user-friendly to make it easy for applicants.

Panamanians must submit their basic personal and passport details, a contact email address, and any other required information. They must attach any required supporting documents. A valid passport issued by Panama is required.

Nationals of Panama can fill in an eVisa questionnaire from any location with an internet connection, including the comfort of their own homes. This eliminates the need to apply for a visa in person at an embassy.

Electronic visas are generally processed very quickly. Panamanian applicants will receive the approved eVisa by email within a few working days.

Once issued, eVisas are linked to the Panamanian passport registered in the application. The traveler must use this passport to enter the destination country.

In some cases, Panamanian visitors are required to print a copy of their eVisa. For certain destinations, the visa is completely digital and is read when the individual’s passport is scanned at border control.

See below the list of countries that have an eVisa for Panamanians.

Visa On Arrival for Panamanians

A visa on arrival (VoA) for Panamanian nationals is a visa that is obtained by applying at immigration control.

Citizens of Panama can get a visa on arrival for over 20 destinations.

VoAs are generally valid for short-term stays. The maximum period of time that a Panamanian passport holder can stay in another country with a visa on arrival ranges from 7 to 120 days.

Panamanian travelers can use a VoA to visit another sovereign state or territory for the purposes of tourism and leisure. Certain destinations may also issue visas on arrival to Panamanians for business trips, transit, and other purposes.

In most cases, visas on arrival permit visitors from Panama to enter a country a single time.

Not all ports of entry issue visas on arrival to Panamanian visitors. It is advisable to check which airports, seaports, and/or land border crossing points grant VoAs before booking a trip.

It is often necessary to pay the visa on arrival fee in cash, frequently in the local currency.

Applying for a visa on arrival for Panamanians involves standing in line, which can mean spending a long time at border control before being allowed to enter the country.

Panamanians are advised to ensure that they bring all the necessary supporting documents with them. If a VoA application cannot be processed for any reason, the traveler will be denied entry and will be forced to return home.

For these reasons, it is recommended to apply for an eVisa for Panamanians in advance if this option exists for the destination in question.

Check the list below to find the countries that have a visa on arrival available to visitors from Panama.

Angola
Bangladesh
Comoros
Egypt
Guinea-Bissau
Lebanon
Macau
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Palau
Samoa
Somalia
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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Embassy Visa Required for Nationals of Panama

An embassy or consular visa for Panamanians is any type of visa that is obtained from a diplomatic mission belonging to the destination country.

Over 100 countries and territories around the world require Panamanian citizens to apply for all types of visa from an embassy or consulate. This includes short-term and/or tourist visas.

In addition, Panamanians who plan to live and/or work in any foreign country must apply for the relevant long-term visas and/or permits at an embassy.

Applying for an embassy visa for citizens of Panama usually involves going to the mission in person. Panamanians must bring the required supporting documents.

It is recommended to apply well in advance. Diplomatic missions often take much longer to process visa requests from Panamanians than online platforms.

Many foreign embassies are located in the capital, Panama City. There are also consulates in some other major Panamanian cities, including Colón, David, Jaqué, and Puerto Obaldía.

The nearest diplomatic missions belonging to certain countries may be based in neighboring countries to Panama. Embassies are typically located in capital cities, such as Bogotá, Havana, and Mexico City.

Consult the list below to find out which countries require Panamanians to apply for a visit visa from an embassy or consulate.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antarctica
Australia
Bahrain
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire
Botswana
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guernsey
Haiti
Iraq
Isle of Man
Japan
Jersey
Kiribati
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
Namibia
Nauru
New Caledonia
Niger
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Syrian Arab Republic
Thailand
Tokelau
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

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Visa Not Required by Citizens of Panama

Panamanian passport holders are exempt from needing a visa to visit certain countries.

Around 80 countries have no visa requirements for Panamanian citizens for short-term visits.

Visa exemption for Panamanians is generally limited to short-term visits. The maximum length of time that a national of Panama can stay without a visa varies from 30 days to 1 year, depending on the destination.

Panamanians visiting countries without a visa are generally only allowed to do so for tourism, leisure, and transit. Some destinations also permit business trips and other reasons for traveling visa-free.

For long-term stays in these countries, it is necessary to get a visa.

Find below the list of countries that allow Panamanian citizens to visit without a visa.

Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Austria
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Norway
Palestinian Territory
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vatican City

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Visa Requirements for Citizens of Panama