They issue a new decree on the transit of Cubans in Panama

The Government of Panama has issued a new regulation regarding transit visas for Cuban nationals.

Executive Order No. dated June 28, 2023. 104, which requires that “the State may continue to observe the situation of Cubans who must pass through Panama to Cuba or to other countries.”

Also, permanent residents “who have a visa stamped in their passports of countries with high standards recognized by Panama, or who hold entry visas for the final destination country and who maintain proven labor status” in the “destination country”.

In this way, the Executive Order of December 19, 2022 no. 162, which establishes a transit passenger or crew visa as a requirement for Cuban nationals traveling in transit, has been extended until December 31, 2023. Transit through the Republic of Panama.

to say OrderModified in late March 2023, eliminating the transit visa requirement for Cubans:

• They travel to Cuba.
• Have a valid tourist or residence visa from Panama.
• Issuance of a current residence or multiple visa valid for less than six months at the time of transit, duly issued by Canada, the United States of America, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, and used in the territory of the State of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Singapore, and any State forming the European Union.
• Retain permanent residence in third countries and return to them.
• They have a valid entry visa from the country of final destination.
• Prove that they have an employment contract in the country they are joining, which has the registration stamps of a competent authority in that country, duly apostilled or legalized.

Likewise, Article 3 The order read as follows:

“The visa must be requested in person by the interested party before the Panamanian Embassy of the country where they are located or through a legal representative at the headquarters of the National Immigration Service. This must be requested at least thirty business days prior to the date of travel.