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Visa application requirements for Panama

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The government of the country provides visa services to tourists and foreign nationals entering the country, in procedures governed by certain rules and regulations. These procedures are prescribed by Immigration authorities; the regulations rigidly enforced for the benefit of both the government and the visa applicants. Non-compliance of the regulations may result to disapproval of the visa and eventual transport of the tourist back to his country of origin at his own expense.

The types of visa in the country, aside from the tourist visa, are the Tourist Business, Private Income Retiree, Person of Means Investor, Small Business Investor, Self-Economic Solvency, Agriculture Investor, Student, Multiple Entry and Exit, and Temporary Work visas.

Visa is not required of all nationals staying in the country for up to 90 days but they will be issued tourist cards for a 30-day stay extendable to 90 days. These are the nationals of Australia, Canada and the United States. The visas and tourist cards are valid for three months from date of issue.

The tourist visa is required for all travelers who do not qualify for a tourist card except those staying up to 90 days. The required documents for a tourist visa include a completed application form, photograph, proof of sufficient funds, return ticket if travel is by airplane, and onward travel itinerary, prescribed fee, and AIDS test and health certificate for persons adjusting their visa status while in Panama. Any traveler who has stayed in the country for more than 30 days is required to obtain and exit permit for a $20 fee.

For visas to be approved, the government requires that all applications be made through a licensed Panamanian lawyer; all overseas documents to be presented to authorities be authenticated by a notary and by the nearest Panamanian consulate office; all documents must be fresh and passports have at least one year to run; and all applicants have a health certificate and HIV test in the country.