Panamanian Immigration Requirements

THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA IS THE HOST COUNTRY FOR THE SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (STRI). THE PANAMANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS GENEROUSLY CEDED CERTAIN SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS TO STRI THAT ALLOWS US TO FACILITATE YOUR VISIT TO OUR HOST COUNTRY.

THE PANAMA IMMIGRATION NATIONAL SERVICE HAS RECENTLY PUT IN EFFECT NEW REGULATIONS STIPULATED IN LAW #3, DATED AUGUST 2008. FOLLOWING THESE REGULATIONS, NEW VISA CATEGORIES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED FOR TOURISTS/VISITORS COMING TO THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA.

ALL VISITORS TO STRI MUST COMPLY WITH EXISTING REGULATIONS. THEREFORE, ALL VISITORS WHO NEED A VISA AND ARE COMING TO STRI FOR A PERIOD FROM ONE MONTH AND UP TO ONE YEAR, SHOULD APPLY FOR THE CORRESPONDING TYPE OF VISA (BELOW) BEFORE TRAVELING TO PANAMA AT YOUR NEAREST PANAMANIAN CONSULATE IF APPLICABLE.

SEE THE GENERAL VISA LIST BELOW AND INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA.

Required documents (FOR STRI VISITORS)

• Yellow Fever vaccine - Mandatory for countries marked in red
• A Valid passport (for at least 6 months)
• A round trip ticket
• STRI Letter ( of invitation or fellowship)- recommended
• Sufficient means of support (minimum $500.00 cash).
• Term of Stay as Tourists/Visas requirements, as follows:
• "People from any nationality carrying a valid stamped visa on their passports from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and member countries of the European Union, will be able to enter the territory of the Republic of Panama (without Panamanian visa or stamped visa...) Upon presentation of the visa issued from the above mentioned countries”. (Executive Decree 248 dated July 21, 2009, National Immigration Service).
  

1. 180 days as Tourists: Citizens of the following countries can travel to Panama for a stay only for 180 days or less. See notes.
   
   

   Argentina	Austria	Australia	Bahamas
   Belgium	Belize	Bermuda	Bolivia
   Brazil	Canada	Chile	Colombia
   Costa Rica	Cyprus	Czech Rep.	Denmark
   Finland	France	Germany	Granada
   Great Britain	Greece	Guatemala	Hungary
   Israel	Italy	Jamaica	Honduras
   Holland	Japan	Korea (South)	Lithuania
   Luxembourg	Mexico	Nicaragua	New Zealand
   Paraguay	Perú	Poland	Portugal
   Singapore	Spain	Switzerland	Sweden
   The Netherlands	Thailand	Taiwan	Uruguay
   USA	Vatican	Venezuela

   
   
2. Tourist Stamped Visa (mandatory): Citizens of the following countries must obtain a Tourist Visa stamped in passport before arriving to Panama, at any Panama Consulate/ or no Panamanian visa is mandatory if using the benefit of the Immigration, Executive Decree No. 248 of July 2009, mentioned above. Term of stay: 30 days only.
   
   

   Cameroon	China	Congo Dem. Rep.	Cuba
   Dominican Republic	Ecuador	Egypt	El Salvador
   Ghana	Haiti	India	Korea (North)
   Nigeria	Papua New Guinea	Philippines	Russia
   South Africa	Sri Lanka	Surinam	Turkey
   Ucrania	Vietnam

   
   

And other nations not listed above. See notes.

Important Notes

• If  you are coming to Panama through the U.S.A., please check with your Travel Agency if  you need an American Visa to travel in transit through that country. For some countries transit or tourist USA visa is mandatory.
• Any Panamanian Tourist Stamped Visa application should be made at your nearest Panamanian Embassy/Consulate, three months in advance of your intended arrival.
• If it is necessary, STRI can assist citizens of countries where there is no Panamanian consulate representation with the visa application from our headquarters in Panama, previous notification of at least three months in advance of your intended travel plans. Visa authorization will be sent to nearest Panama consulate in the country by you required.
• Any further extension of your stay in Panama is subject to approval from the Immigration National Service or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whenever applicable.
• The Panamanian tourist stamped visa should be used within a period of three months from the issuance date, and it is valid for only one entrance.

Additional Information

• Please register at the Visitors Services’s Office, STRI, Tupper Bldg., Ist. Floor, on the first business day upon arrival.
• Dependents, per Immigration regulations are only legal wife, legal husband, children.
• AT STRI, for additional information, you may contact Ms.Celideth De Leon, Office of External Affairs, Tel. (507) 212.8050,Fax (507) 212.8150, E Mail DELEONC@SI.EDU.
• Immigration information is subject to change, therefore we recommend that you check your nearest Panamanian Consulate, travel agent, airline or call Panama Immigration National Service at (507) 507.1800 for updated information. Web site: http://www.migracion.gob.pa/
• For information on what to do after arrival regarding immigration, check the section -upon arrival.

Back

Rev. 3/2011