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🇵🇦PanamaUS-PA

United States to Panama visa requirements

US ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Panama. They are admitted visa-free and, under a special reciprocity rule (Resolution 22706), receive up to 180 days per entry. United States ordinary passport holders may travel to Panama for tourism without a visa. While most nationalities are limited to 90 days since Panama's September 2021 migration rules, US (and Canadian) citizens were granted a 180-day maximum visa-free stay under Resolution 22706. There is no eVisa, ETA, or visa-on-arrival process to complete in advance for short tourist visits. To be admitted, the traveler needs a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of entry, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of economic solvency (typically at least US$500 in cash or equivalent such as a credit card, bank reference, or traveler's checks). Immigration officers grant the stay on arrival; there is no fee for the tourist entry stamp. Travelers should ensure they receive an entry stamp, as the 180-day limit is strictly enforced and overstays can result in fines. Panama is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21
Visa type
Visa-free (no visa required for tourism)
Maximum stay
Up to 180 days per entry (US/Canada reciprocity rule)
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries permitted
from issue date
Visa fee
US$0 (no visa or entry fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None – admitted on arrival
standard track
Validity
Stay granted at the point of entry; passport valid 3+ months beyond entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your US passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of entry into Panama and has at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
· 3 months validity· Blank page
/02
Book onward or return travel
Purchase a confirmed return ticket to the US or an onward ticket to a third country. Airlines and Panamanian immigration may require proof at check-in and on arrival.
· Return/onward ticket required
/03
Prepare proof of funds
Have evidence of economic solvency of at least US$500 — cash, a valid credit card, bank statement, employment letter, or traveler's checks.
· Minimum ~US$500
/04
Prepare supporting details
Know your accommodation address and purpose of travel. Officers may ask for these at the border.
· Hotel/address· Trip purpose
/05
Arrive and clear immigration
Present your passport, onward ticket, and proof of funds. No advance visa or online form is required for a short tourist stay.
· No visa· No advance form
/06
Verify your entry stamp
Confirm you receive an entry stamp showing your admission date. The 180-day limit is strictly enforced and overstays incur fines.
· Get entry stamp· 180-day limit
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
United States -> Panama · Visa-free (no visa required for tourism)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUS passport valid 3+ months beyond entry date
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least one blank passport page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed onward or return ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of funds (~US$500 cash or equivalent)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedAccommodation address / hotel booking
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedCredit card or bank reference as backup proof of solvency
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalDeclaration if carrying over US$10,000 in cash/valuables
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination documentation if arriving from an endemic-risk country and requested
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RequiredEnsure entry stamp received on arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
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.
Application link included: Embassy of Panama to the United States - Visas (Executive Decree 196 update October 28, 2024; Resolution 22706)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa feeUS$0No visa required for US tourists
Entry / immigration stampUS$0No charge for the standard tourist entry stamp
Proof of funds (not a fee)US$500Must be shown but is not paid; demonstrates economic solvency
Total estimate00incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Visa-free reciprocity
Panama admits US ordinary passport holders without a visa for tourism under its visa policy.
High
/02
Extended 180-day stay for US/Canada
Resolution 22706 (2021) preserved a 180-day maximum for US and Canadian citizens while limiting most others to 90 days.
High
/03
Onward ticket enforcement
Airlines and immigration commonly require proof of return or onward travel before boarding and on entry.
Medium
/04
Proof of funds checks
Officers may request evidence of at least US$500; not always asked but should be available.
Medium
/05
Entry stamp / overstay enforcement
The 180-day limit is strictly enforced; missing or overstaying the stamp can lead to fines.
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
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Codex
Re-checked U.S. State Department, Panama National Migration Service, Visit Panama, and Embassy of Panama sources; refreshed checked-date and lastVerifiedAt, replaced the Wikipedia citation with official Panama sources, and confirmed visa-free 180-day tourist entry plus passport, return-ticket, funds, customs, and yellow-fever conditions.
2026-05-30
United States of America to Panama route verified
Confirmed visa-free tourist entry for US ordinary passport holders with a 180-day maximum stay (per Resolution 22706) against US State Department, Tourism Panama, and Panama visa-policy sources. No eVisa/ETA required; passport must be valid 3+ months beyond entry.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Panama?
No. US ordinary passport holders can enter Panama for tourism without a visa and are admitted on arrival.
How long can I stay in Panama?+
How much passport validity do I need?+
Do I need an onward or return ticket?+
Do I need to show proof of funds?+
Is there an eVisa, ETA, or arrival fee for Panama?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United States passport

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