Home/from/Saudi Arabia/to/Panama
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
🇵🇦PanamaSA-PA

Saudi Arabia to Panama visa requirements

Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders can enter Panama visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. No visa or eVisa is required in advance. As of 2026-05-30, holders of an ordinary Saudi Arabian passport do NOT need a visa to enter Panama for tourism or a short visit. Saudi Arabia appears on Panama's visa-exemption list, which permits entry for a stay of up to 90 days without any prior visa, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival application. Panama is located in Central America and is NOT part of the Schengen Area, so the Schengen 90/180 short-stay rule and ETIAS do not apply to this route. Travelers should still arrive with a passport valid for the duration of stay (a 3-month buffer is commonly requested), a confirmed onward or return ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds (Panamanian authorities may ask for proof of economic solvency of at least USD 500). Note one historical nuance: some legal-service aggregators still list Saudi Arabia under a "restricted/authorized visa" category; however, Panama's current published visa policy classifies Saudi Arabia as visa-exempt for 90 days, and this is corroborated by multiple independent visa-requirement references. As a conservative backup, any traveler turned away under an outdated reading would also qualify for Panama's separate 30-day visa-exemption pathway available to holders of a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit from the US, Canada, UK, EU/Schengen, Australia, Japan, Singapore or South Korea (Executive Decree, effective Nov 2024). Because there is genuine documentation variance, travelers should confirm with the Panama embassy/consulate or their airline before departure.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (no visa required for short tourist stay)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries permitted within authorized stay
from issue date
Visa fee
0 (no visa fee); proof of funds approx. USD 500 may be requested
consular fee only
Processing time
None required (entry granted at the border)
standard track
Validity
Passport valid for the duration of stay (3-month buffer recommended)
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your Saudi ordinary passport is valid for your entire stay; carry at least 3 months of remaining validity to satisfy airline and immigration checks.
· Before booking
/02
Book onward/return travel
Purchase a confirmed round-trip or onward ticket out of Panama. Airlines and immigration officers routinely require proof you will leave within the 90-day window.
· Required at check-in
/03
Prepare proof of funds
Have evidence of economic solvency of at least USD 500 (bank statement, cash, or credit card) and accommodation details ready to show on arrival.
· USD 500 minimum
/04
Verify with airline or Panama consulate
Because some references still list Saudi Arabia as a restricted nationality, reconfirm visa-free status with the Panamanian embassy/consulate or your carrier within a few days of departure.
· Recommended
/05
Travel and clear immigration
On arrival at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) or another port of entry, present your passport, onward ticket and proof of funds. No visa fee applies.
· At the border
/06
Respect the 90-day limit
Do not overstay the authorized period. Extensions require a separate application to Panama's National Migration Service; overstaying triggers fines.
· Within 90 days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
Saudi Arabia -> Panama · Visa-free (no visa required for short tourist stay)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RecommendedSaudi ordinary passport valid for the full stay (3-month buffer recommended)
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket out of Panama
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of economic solvency (approx. USD 500)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedReconfirmation of visa-free status with airline or Panama consulate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from/transiting an endemic country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
OptionalValid US/Canada/UK/EU/Schengen multiple-entry visa as fallback document
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Application link included: Visa policy of Panama (Wikipedia)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist entry / visa feeUSD 0No visa is required for Saudi passport holders for stays up to 90 days.
Proof of funds (not a fee)USD 500Minimum economic solvency that may be checked at the border; remains with the traveler.
Stay extension (optional)USD 50 approx.Payable only if applying to Panama's National Migration Service to extend beyond 90 days.
Total estimate00incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Authorized/stamped visa (only if classification disputed)
30-60 business days
Legacy pathway some aggregators cite for Saudi nationals; not normally required given current visa-exempt status.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Insufficient proof of onward travel
Travelers without a confirmed return/onward ticket can be denied boarding or entry even under visa-free rules.
Medium
/02
Inadequate proof of funds
Failure to show the approximately USD 500 economic solvency may lead to refusal at the border.
Medium
/03
Passport validity too short
A passport without the recommended remaining validity buffer can be rejected by the airline or immigration.
Low
/04
Outdated restricted-nationality classification
An airline or officer relying on legacy 'authorized visa' lists could question entry; carrying confirmation helps.
Low
/05
Overstaying the 90-day limit
Remaining beyond the authorized period results in fines and possible future entry issues.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Saudi Arabia to Panama route verified
Confirmed against Panama's visa policy and Saudi citizen visa-requirement references that Saudi ordinary passport holders enter Panama visa-free for up to 90 days; Panama is not in Schengen, so ETIAS does not apply.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Panama?
No. Saudi ordinary passport holders can enter Panama visa-free for tourism and short visits for up to 90 days. No prior visa or eVisa is required.
How long can a Saudi passport holder stay in Panama?+
Is Panama part of the Schengen Area?+
What do I need to show at the Panama border?+
I've heard Saudi Arabia is a 'restricted nationality' for Panama. Is that true?+
Does holding a US or Schengen visa help?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Saudi Arabia passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.