🇵🇦 Panama visa requirements

US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free. Most other nationalities get 30 days on arrival. Panama isn't complicated for short stays if your passport is from a major country.

Who Gets in and For How Long?

If you're from the US, EU, UK, Canada, or Australia, Panama hands you 90 days upon arrival. Just show your passport, and you're golden. For a lot of other countries, it's a 30-day stamp. This covers pretty much all of Latin America and the Caribbean, for example. The list of countries requiring a pre-approved visa is shorter, mostly specific nations in Asia and Africa. Honestly, if you have to ask if you need a visa, you probably do. Check the official Panamanian immigration website or your local embassy to be sure. Don't rely on outdated blog posts.

Overstaying: The Panama Price Tag

That 90-day (or 30-day) stamp is your eviction notice. You need to leave Panama before it expires. What happens if you don't? You'll pay a fine. It's $100 USD for the first month of overstay, and then it goes up. After a month, you're looking at $200 USD per month. You'll also likely be banned from re-entering for a period, though the specifics vary.

A common gotcha is the "double entry" thing. If you leave and come back within your initial visa-free period, you usually get the full allotment again. So, a quick hop to Costa Rica or Colombia and back is often fine. However, don't assume. Always get your exit stamp and be clear with immigration officials if you plan on re-entering. They have the final say.

Panama's eVisa: What's New?

Panama has been rolling out an eVisa system, aiming to streamline the process for certain nationalities. Initially, it was limited, but they've been expanding it. This could mean faster processing for some visa applications that previously required a trip to an embassy. Fees can vary depending on the visa type and nationality, but expect something in the range of $50 to $100 USD for a standard tourist eVisa application.

The big change to watch for is the Panama Digital Nomad Visa, launched in late 2021. It allows remote workers to stay for up to 18 months (initial 9 months, extendable by 9 months). It requires proof of income (around $3,600 USD per month for an individual or $4,800 USD for a couple/family ) and a clean criminal record. This is the official route for digital nomads wanting peace of mind and longer stays. If you're serious about basing yourself in Panama, this is the program you should investigate.