New Visa Regulation for Tourists

Please be informed that in order to facilitate the tourist visa process and based on the Executive Decree 521 with date 6 of August of 2018, citizens of any nationality holding a VALID multiple entry tourist or business visa from ONE of the following countries: United States of America, Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, possess a Schengen visa and/or have a valid residency from a European Union country may enter the Republic of Panama and obtain a landing visa upon arrival.

Be aware that before entering Panama, you must have used this visa issued by any of the above mentioned countries at least once. For example, if you have a United States’ visa, you must have entered the U.S. with that visa in order to qualify for the waiver. Your passport and/or visa should be valid for at least 6 months. Transit visas will not qualify for this waiver.

You will qualify for this decree if you comply with all of these requirements:

• Have a valid passport with at least six months of validity.

• Have a valid tourist or business visa (not expired) from ONE of these countries: United States of America, Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, possess a Schengen visa and/or have a valid residency from a European Union country . It should be valid for at least six months prior to entering the Republic of Panama.

• You must have used this visa to enter the country of issuance before. For example, if you have a United States’ visa, you must have entered the U.S. with that visa in order to qualify for the waiver.

The maximum amount of time you can stay in Panama is 30 days.