
Visa policy of Panama

Visitors to Panama require a visa unless they are citizens of one of the eligible countries who do not require a visa for up to 180 days. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 3 months. 
On December 28, 2016, President Juan Carlos Varela decreed that the immigration authorities of the National Immigration Service will issue tourist visas valid for a term not greater than 90 days (three months); however, it was later clarified that did not change the situation for those who can enter visa-free for 180 days.
Visa exemption.
Holders of passports of the following 118 jurisdictions do not require a visa to visit Panama:
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of (including passport for public affairs holders), , , and do not require a visa.
In addition, all passengers with a national ID card or a birth certificate issued by Panama do not need a visa, regardless of passports they use to travel.
Third-country visas or residence documents.
As per Executive Decree 521, signed by President Varela on 6 August 2018, nationalities who normally need to apply for a Panamanian visa will be exempted for 90 days if they hold a multiple-entry visa valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry, or permanent residency documents issued by any of the following countries:
Panama Friendly Nations Visa.
In 2012, the Government of Panama launched the Friendly Nations Visa. The visa is open to the citizens of fifty countries deemed to have positive diplomatic and economic ties to Panama. To qualify, the citizens of those countries must present professional or economic ties to Panama. Once the applicant demonstrates those ties, they are eligible for permanent residency and a work permit in Panama. After three to five years, holders of this visa can apply for Panamanian citizenship.
Visitor statistics.
Most visitors arriving to Panama via Tocumen International Airport were from the following countries of nationality: