Panama visa requirements are simple and a UAE resident can get a visa within a few weeks. Sources claim that the citizens of the UAE do not require a visa to travel to Panama for leisure purposes, but if you are a resident of UAE without holding citizenship, you must apply for the visa whether you are visiting Panama for the tour or business activities.
2024 updates on the Panama visa state that a person is not required to gather a bundle of documents as well as the visa approval process takes only 60 business days. So if you are interested in visiting Panama, then come with me to explore the types of visas, their requirements, and the application process.
Types of Visa for UAE Residents
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Work Visa
1. Tourist Visa
As I explained above, a citizen of the UAE does not require a tourist visa, but a resident of the UAE must apply for a tourist visa in order to visit Panama. Normally, the tourist visa allows UAE residents to stay in Panama for 90 days, but the extension of the duration is possible if you follow the legal processes. Here are the Panama tourist visa requirements:
Requirements of Panama Tourist Visa for UAE Residents
UAE Passport: UAE passport holders do not require a visa to visit Panama for short stays from 90 to 180 days.
Passport Validity: The applicants holding UAE passports must check if their passport is valid for a further 6 months.
UAE Resident Passport: An applicant who holds a passport from another country, such as India or Pakistan, must check the tourist visa application by visiting the Panama Embassy in UAE because the visa requirements vary depending upon your passport.
General Requirements
UAE Residence Visa: An applicant who is not a citizen of UAE must check the validity of the UAE residence visa and ensure it should be valid for at least a further 3 months.
Travel Insurance: An applicant must have enrolled in a travel insurance program that is offered by a verified insurance company.
Proof of Accomodation: An applicant must provide the details of his accomodation site, such as the name of the hotel, the number of hotels in which he will stay, and the room he has already reserved.
Proof of Funds: An applicant must provide proof of funds, such as a bank statement of $500 to ensure the government of Panama that the visitor has sufficient funds to sponsor his trip.
Photograph: An applicant must provide 2 images of 45mm x 35mm which have a two-colored background theme.
Visa Application: An applicant must apply for the visa and hold the receipt of paid visa application dues.
Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Panama Embassy in the UAE in order to apply for a visa.
Step 2: Go to the relevant counter and address where you intend to apply for a tourist visa.
Step 3: Fill out the application form and provide authentic information.
Step 4: Attach all the required documents with the visa application.
Step 5: Review the application form before you submit it and make sure all the documents are attached.
Step 6: Submit the application form and pay the visa application fee which ranges from 265 AED to 300 AED.
Step 7: Schedule an appointment and appear on the invited day.
Step 8: If you pass the interview, the embassy will issue you a Panama tourist visa.
Note: Tourists are forbidden to visit Panama if they have visited South Africa, the UK, and Northern Ireland in the proceedings 20 days.
2. Business Visa
Business visas are for people who intend to engage in business activities, such as meetings and conferences in Panama. It does not allow business persons to initiate a new business in Panama, but people holding business visas can organize other business-related activities. Here are the requirements for a Panama business visa:
Requirements of Panama Business Visa for UAE Residents
UAE Residence Visa: A business person must have a UAE residence visa that is valid for 3 months.
Valid Passport: A business person may have a passport that is valid for a further 6 months.
Work Contract: If a business person is visiting Panama to sign or renew a business contract, then he must provide the details, including its nature, expiration duration, and the type of contract.
Invitation Letter: A business person is required to show the invitation letter if he is visiting due to an invitation from his partner in Panama.
Proof of Travel: A business person must provide the details of his travel process, such as the number of tickets he bought, the airlines he chose, and the arrival plus exit dates.
Travel Insurance: A business person must provide the details of his travel insurance to the embassy of Panama in UAE.
Proof of Accomodation: A business person must provide proof of his accomodation arrangements, including the name of his hotel and the number of his apartment.
Proof of Funds: A business person is required to show the bank statement for the past few months in order to ensure the embassy that he has enough money to fund his business trip to Panama.
Photograph: A business person is required to submit 2 images of 45 mm by 35 mm having a two-colored background and images must not be older than 3 months.
Criminal History: A business person must provide his police clearance certificate to prove that he has never been engaged in criminal activities.
Visa Application: An applicant must have applied for a business visa and have a receipt of paid dues.
Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Panama embassy located in the UAE.
Step 2: Fill out the business visa application form by providing the personal details and mentioning the reason for the business trip.
Step 3: Attach all the documents and then review the application carefully.
Step 4: Make sure the application is complete and all the documents are attached to the application.
Step 5: Submit the application and pay the visa application fee which is about 680 AED depending upon the type of visa you apply for.
Step 6: Schedule the appointment and clear the interview conducted by the Panama embassy.
Step 7: If you successfully pass the interview, you can collect a business visa from the Panama embassy.
3. Work Visa
Work Visa is for people who are looking for employment opportunities in Panama and want to pursue their professional career in Central America. They are required to get a work visa; otherwise, they cannot initiate any type of employment in Panama. The duration of a work visa is 60 days, but the process may take time if the employer is not cooperative.
Requirements of Panama Work Visa for UAE Residents
UAE Residence Visa: A UAE residence visa must be shown and a copy of it must be submitted with the visa application to make sure that the residence visa is valid for at least 3 months.
Valid Passport: An intended employee must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and the rules of visa depend on which country passport you hold.
Work Permit: An intended employee is required to show that he is permitted by the government of Panama to work there by submitting a copy of the work permit.
Work Contract: An intended employee must provide the details of the work contract he has signed with his employer in Panama.
Employer Letter: An intended employee must provide the employer letter to prove that he was hired by an employee in Panama to work.
Proof of Funds: An intended employee must provide the details of his funds by showing the bank statement for the past few months as well as he should have some cash when he travels to Panama.
Proof of Travel: An intended employee must give the details of his tour to Panama, such as the date of his flight, the name of the airline, and his ticket type.
Travel Insurance: An intended employee must have travel insurance to prevent any kind of catastrophe.
Medical Certificate: An intended employee must provide a medical certificate that a certified doctor of UAE signs and the certificate must prove you fit for work in Panama.
Medical Insurance: An intended employee must have medical insurance in order to get treatment for free if he faces any mental or physical health problem.
Proof of Accomodation: An intended employee is required to provide details of the hotel where he will stay, such as room number and address.
Photograph: An intended employee has to provide 2 images 45mm by 35mm size which have a two-colored background.
Criminal History: An intended employee must provide a police clearance that proves he has never been engaged in criminal activities.
Visa Application: An intended employee must submit a work visa application and pay the charges of the visa.
Application Process
Step 1: The process begins when your employer hires you and applies for an entry permit.
Step 2: The employer applies for the work permit on your behalf.
Step 3: The work permit is sent to the Panama Embassy in UAE.
Step 4: You need to submit a work visa application form along with all the documents.
Step 5: Pay the visa application dues and schedule an appointment.
Step 6: Appear in the interview and if you pass it, you can get a visa.
Note: You are required to translate all the documents in the Spanish language. You cannot travel to Panama if you are COVID-19 positive, or do not submit a COVID test.
FAQs
You need to apply for a Panama visa by submitting an application at the Panama Embassy and make sure that the passport is valid for a further 6 months, plus it has 2 blank pages.
The Panama visa takes 60 working days.
Final Words
Panama is an attractive country that has all: business and employment opportunities, beautiful sights as well as safe for business conferences. Additionally, the visa process in Panama is very simple and one can get it within 60 days. Determine which type of visa you want to apply for and follow the above guide to complete the application process.