Panama · How long you can stay
How long can a US citizen stay in Panama?
Short answer
No visa needed: US citizens can be admitted for up to 180 days per entry. The officer decides how long, and the stay can't be extended past 180 days.
The rules for a US passport
| Visa needed? | No, a valid US passport is enough for a visit |
|---|---|
| Days allowed | Up to 180 days per entry, a special rule for US and Canadian citizens; the officer decides |
| Can you extend? | Not past 180 days; the general extension rule covers shorter stays, up to 3 months in total |
| What you can't do | Paid work, including remote work: that needs the separate remote-worker visa |
| Overstay penalty | About $50 for each month or part-month over; other penalties can apply |
| Passport validity | At least 3 months; one valid for your whole stay is safer |
Not yet verified Rules read in the official admission rules; the full entry case is still open.
Still being checked Health certificates, vaccination, insurance and entry bans.
Good to know
- At the border: carry a return or onward ticket and proof of at least $500.
- Want to stay longer? You can apply for residency from inside Panama, through a Panamanian lawyer.
- Applying isn't approval: keep your stay legal until a residence permit is granted.
Sources (6)
Legal basis and exact figures
- Still being checked: route-specific health certificate or vaccination, insurance, and the full overstay and entry-ban rules, before a complete entry guide is certified.
- Law: visa exemption per the Panamanian Embassy in the US; US/Canada 180-day exception (Gaceta 29379, 2021); general visa-exempt conditions in SNM Resolution 22068 of 1 Sep 2021 (3-month passport minimum, $500 means, onward ticket, extension capped at 3 months in total); status change from inside Panama needs a legal representative (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008).
- Overstay: the immigration office's current FAQ states 50 PAB per expired month or fraction in its overstay context; other circumstances and enforcement have separate rules.
- Remote work: a separate nonresident visa of 9 + 9 months (SNM checklist PM 18); tourist admission gives no paid-work rights.
Links
Count your days in Panama → Entry and visas in full → The full Panama guide →
Questions people ask
Do US citizens need a visa for Panama?
No, a valid US passport is enough for a visit
How many days can a US citizen stay in Panama?
Up to 180 days per entry, a special rule for US and Canadian citizens; the officer decides
Can a US citizen extend a stay in Panama?
Not past 180 days; the general extension rule covers shorter stays, up to 3 months in total
Can I work in Panama as a tourist?
Paid work, including remote work: that needs the separate remote-worker visa
What happens if you overstay in Panama?
About $50 for each month or part-month over; other penalties can apply
How long must my passport be valid for Panama?
At least 3 months; one valid for your whole stay is safer