OUR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS ASSIST CLIENTS TO OBTAIN AUTHORIZED VISA 

Our experienced and trusted attorneys assist clients with authorized visa.  With more than 15 year of experience, our attorneys can help clients of certain countries to obtain authorizedvisa in order to enter Republic of Panama. Get in touch with our attorneys if you wish to enter Panama for vacation, business or residency.  Citizens of  certain countries,  require to apply for an authorized tourist visa before entering Panama. The visa application can be made through the nearest Panamanian Consulate or in Panama via a Panamanian attorney.

Applicants must submit their applications at least 60 days before traveling to Panama and comply with all the required documents.  Panama Immigration agency, have full discretion to approve or reject any application for Authorized Visa.

Requirements to apply for an authorized visa:

•  Completed tourist visa application form 
• Apostilled passport
• Five passport size photographs 
• Apostilled copy of identification card
• Flight reservation itinerary 
• Hotel reservation (if applicable)
• Proof of economic solvency, such as certified bank checks from a Panama bank in the amount of $500. 
• Work requirements, if the applicant works for a public or private entity: work letter with receipt of the last paycheck.
• Notarized Letter of Invitation from the applicant’s sponsor
• Economic solvency of the sponsor
• Copy of the utility bill of the sponsor

Exemption to Authorized Visa

Citizens of restricted countries are exempt from getting  Authorized Visa if they have a valid Visa or Residency from one of the following countries:

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. European Union
5. United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
6. Japan
7. Republic of Korea
8.  Republic of Singapore

The visa granted by the countries mentioned above must be:

1. A multiple entry visa.
2. Has been used previously in the territory of the granting State
3. Its validity shall not be less than six (6) months at the time of entering Panamanian territory.

In other words, it will not be necessary to request an authorized visa if the applicant meets the following criteria:

• The applicant has a valid passport with a minimum of three months of validity. (I recommend six months to avoid any inconvenience at entry points)
• The applicant has a multiple entry visa of the countries mentioned above
• This Residence or Tourist Visa must be valid for at least six months
• This residence or Tourist visa must have been used at least once to visit the granting country

Immigration officers are accepting the visa exemption if the holder has a valid permanent residence card of the United States.

Also, the applicant must prove economic solvency for a minimum of USD 500.00 upon entering and have a round trip ticket.

 HOW TO APPLY FOR AUTHORIZED VISA; COMPLETE GUIDE 2026

Panama visa laws can be divided into two (2) categories:

1. Visa free countries:

Countries such as USA, Canada and European countries are not required to obtain a visa to enter Panama.

2. Authorized Visa countries:

Most African and Middle Eastern countries are required to obtain a tourist visa to enter Panama.

Panama Legal Center attorneys have more than 15 years’ experience obtaining authorized visa for clients. 

HOW THE AUTHORIZED VISA PROCESS WORK?

 Panama offers several types of visas for those looking to visit, reside or work in Panama, including authorized visa, digital nomad visa and a self-solvency visa. Generally speaking, Panama requires a valid passport, photos, criminal background check, proof of income, and health insurance to approve a visa. The self-solvency visa, aimed at those with significant financial means and it requires demonstrating sufficient income and investment in Panama real estate or a bank deposit.  Individuals from certain countries such as middle east and Africa, must apply for a visa to enter the Republic of Panama.

HOW TO APPLY FOR PANAMA AUTHORIZED VISA?

According to the immigration laws, all applicants must retain a Panamanian attorney to process their visa applications. Our experienced immigration attorneys act on behalf of their clients to apply and obtain entry visa to Panama.  Upon approval of client’s visa, applicants need to visit a Panama embassy or consulate, to have his/her passport stamped.  

WHO NEEDS TO APPLY FOR AN AUTHORIZED VISA?

Citizens of the following countries need to apply for an authorized visa in order to enter the Panama territory: 

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Cabo Verde, Costa de Marfil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, People’s Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR AN AUTHORIZED VISA

Applicants need to provide certain documents in order to apply for an authorized visa.  In addition, applicants are required to fill out and sign the visa application form. (Click here to download)

1. Power of attorney    

2. Copies of all the pages of their passport, with the passport having at least three months validity before expected trip.

3.     Flight reservation with itinerary of trip or an electronic ticket.

4.     Copy of a valid I.D.  such as driver license

5.     Five photographs (size: 2×2, with white background)

6.     Immigration fees 

7.     Proof of economic solvency during stay, (minimum of USD $1000.00) This can be verified with a certified check. 

8. Hotel reservation

9. Notarized invitation letter from a Panamanian citizen or resident sponsoring the applicant

10. Economic solvency of the sponsor

 HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET A VISA?

The Panama visa process usually takes between 1-3 months.  All applicants are required to hire a Panamanian lawyer and sign a power of attorney in order the visa approval process begins. 

NO VISA REQUIRED IF YOU ARE FROM THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES

 Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Belarus, British National Overseas (BNO), Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros/Comoros, Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Granada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall, Islands Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Republic of Korea, South Russia, Sahrawi, Arab Democratic Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Thomas and Prince, San Marino, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand,Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Vietnam.

Can You Extend Your Visa?

The answer is “YES“. Once you have entered Panama, our experienced immigration attorneys can extend your stay in Panama.

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