Who Needs a Tourist Visa to enter Panama?
We’ve all heard the news by now. The new US President has placed a ban on travel to seven countries including, Iraq, Iran, Somalia or Libya. And while many questions remain unanswered including how other countries will respond and what the new administration's policies will be; one thing is for sure: if you were planning to vacation in Panama soon, you're going to need a tourist visa.
In this blog post we'll walk through the following: Why You Need a Tourist Visa to enter Panama; How long it takes; Which countries are eligible for this visa; What You'll Need To Fill Out Your Form Prior To Applying? What Happens If Your Application Is Denied? - Plus more.
So if you’re planning to travel to Panama soon, or even if you already have your plane tickets booked and are preparing for your upcoming vacation - make sure you read this!
What's The Difference Between A Tourist Visa And A Tourist Card?
It’s important to understand exactly what kind of visa you need to enter Panama. Since travel between the US and the Republic of Panama is common, the only requirement is a tourist card. This is not a visa. They are used interchange by many countries who are members of the OAS (Organization Of American States) with authorization up to 90 days.
A Tourist Visa is a legal document issued by a country that allows its holder to visit that country as a tourist and in most cases, it is used for entry into another country (not always).
Before reading ahead, take the time to make sure you've read our article on How To Get A Tourist Visa To Panama. It will give you important background information about visas and the application process.
Also if you're already in Panama, check out our article How To Extend Your Panamanian Tourist Visa. It will help you decide when and what to do.
What Do You Need To Apply For A Tourist Visa?
For the US, a valid passport is a requirement; however, it is possible to provide other pieces of identification in lieu of your passport if you’ve been issued a tourist card. If you haven’t been issued a tourist card, then you will need to submit valid proof of your intention to visit Panama through visa application form DS-160 (link to form). If all the ports of entry have raised their fees significantly since January 6 2017 (from $27.00 to $160.00), the process is still relatively straightforward and can be done at your local US Embassy or by mail.
You need to understand that the process is not difficult, but there are some rules which are strictly kept and can only be found in the official website of Panamanian consulate in your country.
The biggest issue at this moment is not to forget you will need a valid passport before you apply for your tourist visa. If you're already in Panama, please read How To Extend Your Panamanian Tourist Visa for more information about whether or not it's necessary for you to obtain a new visa.
Are There Countries That Do Not Require A Visa To Enter Panama?
Some countries will not require a visa to enter Panama. These include the following: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia and Brazil. Citizens of other countries need to apply for a visa before entry. If you're already in Panama and you're not sure if you need to apply for a new visa or extend your current one - please read our article How To Extend Your Panamanian Tourist Visa for more information.
What Information Do You Need To Complete The DS-160 Form?
The DS-160 Form is an online application that will ask you for some basic information about you, your passport and travel plans. The most important information you'll need to provide on the DS-160 form is your passport data and emergency contact information. In addition, there are optional questions including: financial status, health insurance and emergency contacts for the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate in cases of emergency. If you have any questions or problems with this form, please contact the Consular Section at the Panamanian Embassy in Washington DC by emailing consuladosal@prodigy.net.mx .
Who Can Apply For A Panamanian Tourist Visa?
The DS-160 visa application form is available to all US Citizens including children over the age of 18.
Which Countries are Eligible to Apply for a Tourist Visa To Panama?
The following countries can apply for this visa: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica Croatia and Canada. Citizens of other countries will need to apply in their country of origin and pay the corresponding fee. Please note - all applications received after February 15 will not be accepted or processed. This information was posted in the Embassy of Panama in Washington DC: "All applications received at the Consulate after Thursday February 15th 2017 ........ will be considered as invalid and will not be accepted or processed. All applications received after February 15th 2017 at the Consulate of Panama in Washington DC (NY) will be considered as invalid and will not be accepted or processed. The Embassy of Panama in Washington DC has suspended the acceptance of applications for Tourist Visas from February 15th 2017 until further notice."
What Happens If My Application is Denied?
If you're refused a visa, you must leave the country immediately. Under no circumstances you can remain in Panama after being denied a visa. You'll also need to contact your airline and inform them about the situation so that they can refund your ticket fee accordingly. If you have a visa on arrival and you want to cancel it, you must visit the main airport in Panama City within the first 24 hours of arriving. Once you're there, go to the immigration office and inform them that you would like to cancel your visa on arrival. If you do not go to the immigration office within one day of arrival, you will be forced to leave immediately and forfeit your $25 USD fee.
Which Tourist Visa Fee Do I Pay?
The fee for a tourist visa is $25 USD. There is an additional charge of $8 per person if they are traveling with children or people over 60 years old.
Conclusion
If you're planning to travel to Panama soon, we hope our article on How To Apply for a Tourist Visa To Panama has helped you understand all the information you need and answered your questions. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.
You can apply online for your visa at http://panama.usembassy.gov/visa/apply-online and as always, feel free to leave us a comment if you have any more questions regarding the process.