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Panama Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | No |
| EU | Yes | Yes | No |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No |
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To enter Panama, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure. It should also have at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps.
All travellers entering Panama must complete a customs declaration form (one per family). You are required to declare items such as cash or monetary instruments totalling US$10,000 or more, high-value goods, restricted items, and commercial merchandise. A digital version of the form is available here.
Citizens of Canada and the United States can enter Panama visa-free and stay up to 180 days. Other nationals in the chart above can stay up to 90 days without a visa.
Travellers of any nationality who hold a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, or an EU member state — and have used it at least once to enter those countries — can also enter Panama without a visa, provided the visa or permit is valid for at least six months.
Nationals not covered by these exemptions should check with the nearest Panamanian embassy or consulate.
Travellers arriving by private sea vessel (not cruise ships) require a visa, even if otherwise visa-exempt. A fee of USD 110 applies per person for both passengers and crew, and additional charges may apply for cruising permits. Ensure your passport is properly stamped upon arrival.
International travellers transiting through Panama do not require a visa provided they don't go through immigration and are staying less than nine hours.
You must have a return or onward ticket.
Tourists are advised not to attempt visa runs (e.g. briefly visiting a neighbouring country to reset the stay period), as this can lead to refusal of re-entry. Any visa extension must follow proper procedures through the immigration office.
Visa holders wishing to extend their 30-day stay to 90 days need to visit the nearest immigration office in Panama and request a prórroga de turista.
Tourists who can visit Panama without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism purposes may not be allowed an extension, unless they apply to change their immigration status within the 90 days.
Children must have their own passports. To exit the country, children travelling without both parents must carry their birth certificate and a notarised letter of consent from the absent parent(s).
Panamanian law permits the refusal of entry or deportation of individuals with HIV/AIDS. However, enforcement is rare.
Bringing dogs or cats into Panama requires a Certificate of Good Health, a valid rabies vaccination, and submission of a Quarantine for Domestic Animals form at least three days before arrival to the Ministry of Health. Pets must also be examined by a licensed Panamanian vet at the airport upon arrival.
Seasonal restrictions may apply for animals transported in the cargo hold.
Importing birds or reptiles requires a permit. Birds must also be vaccinated for chlamydia, salmonella, tuberculosis, avian flu, and Newcastle disease. These vaccinations and the health certificate must be certified by a Panamanian consulate prior to arrival.
Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.
You know whereEmbassies and tourist offices
British Embassy in Panama
Embassy of the Republic of Panama in the USA
Consulate General of Panama in the UK
Do you need a Visa?
Our preferred partner VisaCentral can make applying for one fast and easy.
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