1. Tourists

To enter the national territory, it is indispensable that the foreigner has a Special Tourism Card or Tourist Visa, except for those countries with which Panama has subscribed Tourism Visa Suppression Agreements. The Cards or Tourism Visas have a validity period for a term not greater than ninety (90) days.   

   1.1 Extension until ninety (90) days:   

When entering the national territory as a tourist with a visa for a period less than ninety (90) days, you may request an extension until completing the maximum period of ninety (90) days.

   1.2 Extension for changing the Migratory Category

When entering the national territory as tourist, you may request an extension for a period of sixty (60) days, when the intention to request a change of the migratory category as temporal or permanent resident is justified.  If the extension is approved, you shall pay in advance the amount of B/.250.00 and consigned a guarantee deposit of B/.500.00. If it not approved, you shall leave the country and the payments will enter the Fiduciary Migration Fund.

2. Passengers and Crew in Transit   

In force majeure cases or acts of God, an extension for staying of seventy two (72) hours will be granted.  It shall be requested by the international transport company.

3. Visas for Sailors

You must be registered as sailor of a shipping agency that operates in Panama.

4. Visas for Entertainment Workers

You shall be hired as such in a company dedicated to entertainment activities within Panama and for a non-extended period of nine (9) months.

5. Visa for Passers-by or Partial Workers

You hall be hired as such in a company or determined work for a single time and that, in a temporarily way, you perform a technical, cultural, artistic or musical, sport, professional, educative or scientific work, for a non extended term of three (3) months.

6. Visa of domestic Workers

You shall be hired as such by a local, or temporary or permanent resident, for an extended period of one (1) year.

7. Short Stay Visa

Without having the spirit to establish your residence in Panama, you may request any of the following subcategories and such could not be greater than nine (9) months, that is to say non-extended.

   7.1 Short Stay Visa for Businesses

You shall request it before entering the country, with the purpose of establishing foreign branches in Panama.

   7.2 Short Stay Visa to visit Relatives: 

Only with the intention to visit your spouse, blood relative in straight ascending or descending line, relatives in collateral line up to the second grade of consanguinity that proof to be nationals or temporal or permanent residents.

   7.3 Short Stay Visa for Investigators and Scientists 

Without profit spirit, you may perform student exchanges, cultural, educative, of health, scientists, of investigation and apprenticeship missions. Same shall be granted in virtue of agreements held with the Government or between embassies or legations; foreign legal persons and companies, educational, government institutions or non government organizations recognized by the laws of Panama.

   7.4 Short Stay Visa for Medical Treatment

You must proof that you will be put under a medical treatment in public or private hospitals and clinics that do not exceed nine (9) months.

   7.5 Short Stay Visa in Quality of Retailers and Investors by Special Laws

You shall proof that you are in the Country to analyze investment possibilities or to carry out transactions in Processing Zones for Export, Call Center, or special Areas designated for the development of the Film and Audiovisual Industry.

   7.6 Short Stay Visa for International Humanitarian Assistance:  

Sustained by the principles and rights contained in the International Humanitarian Right and the Human Rights for those victims or affected by natural disasters and other situations of emergency that represent a risk to the population in general. Also, those that come in representation of governmental or nongovernmental organisms duly credited, to conduct an ordered aid management, obtaining an optimal use of the resources to reduce through a national arranged action, the loss of human lives, damages to the properties and emergency solutions that may arise, when the Foreign Affairs Ministry determines.

   7.7 Short Stay Visa for the Banking Sector

You may request this visa with the purpose of giving or receiving training, to attend meetings, conventions, workshops, seminaries, classes, apprenticeships, audits, verification and control of programs and procedures in banking institutions that have general, international or representation license.

8. Visa for Passengers and Crew of Ships with Recreation or Tourism Purposes

You may request it when you arrive to the Country by means of yachts or sailboats with the purpose of pleasure or tourism. When the yacht or sailboat are of foreign flag and it has its navigation permit for a period of three (3) months, the foreign passengers and crew will be able to remain in the national territory for the same period of time. It could be extended as long as the navigation permit of the ship is extended. When the yacht or sailboat is of Panamanian flag and it has it navigation permit for a period of one (1) year, the foreign passengers and crew will be able to remain in the national territory for the same period of time.