Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)

The Panama Transit Visa (Visa para Pasajeros en Tránsito) was established to regulate the movement of foreign nationals through the country's international airports, primarily Tocumen International Airport, which serves as a major regional hub. Historically, Panama maintained a more open transit policy, but recent Executive Decrees, such as Decree No. 19 of 2022, introduced mandatory transit visa requirements for specific nationalities. The primary purpose of this visa is to authorize a temporary stay within the international transit area for passengers connecting to a third destination, ensuring that travelers remain within the airport's secure zone during their layover.

This visa is ideal for travelers from restricted nationalities who have scheduled layovers in Panama and do not intend to clear immigration or enter the national territory. It is specifically designed for those whose transit period is brief and does not exceed the 24-hour limit. A key distinguishing feature of this visa is its restrictive nature; it is strictly for air-side transit and does not grant the holder the right to leave the airport's international zone, making it a specialized logistical authorization rather than a traditional entry permit.