The government of Panama extended until December 31 the mandatory transit visa requirement for Cuban travelers making a stopover in that country, decreed since March 2022.
Until the last day of 2023 the Executive Decree No. 162 of December 19, 2022which establishes the visa for passengers or crew members in transit as a requirement for citizens of Cuban nationality, who travel in transit through the Republic of Panama, pointed out this last week the official Gazette of the Central American nation.
The provision at the time was due “to the increase in the cases of passengers of Cuban nationality or admitted or rejected by the country of destination, has been generating problems at immigration checkpoints in Panamanian territory.”
Therefore, the Panamanian government decided it was necessary to establish more effective immigration controls for Cubans who need to transit in that country to Cuba or to other countries, or who are permanent residents or have a visa stamped in their passports from countries with high standards recognized by them. or have an entry visa to the country of final destination.
Since last December, those who travel to Cuba and have a valid tourist or residence visa from the Republic of Panama, in addition to those who have a valid residence or have a multiple visa, previously used in the territory of the granting State, with a validity of not less than six months at the time of transit, duly granted by Canada, the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Korea, the State of Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Singapore and any of the States that make up the European Union.
Also exempt from the transit visa requirement are those who have permanent residence, in third countries, with an age of five years or more and travel back to these and have a valid entry visa from the country of final destination.
The transit visa only authorizes the holder to remain in the international transit area of the airport for up to twenty-four hours. This must be requested at the Panamanian consulate in the country of origin and will cost about 50 balboas (about 50 dollars).
Those who request it must provide the following documents: a visa application form, two passport photographs, a copy of the passport with a minimum validity of six months, reservation or travel itinerary, copy of the identity document and proof of payment of consular services.
In the event that the application is for a minor, the process will be carried out by one of the parents, who are obliged to provide the authorization of the other parent or whoever has guardianship of the minor.
The announcement in early March 2022 of the entry into force of a transit visa to travel to Panama This became bad news for those Cubans who chose the Central American nation as a connection on their flights to Nicaragua, a country that has not required a visa for the island’s citizens since November 2021, and which has become a bridge for those seeking to arrive. to the US across borders.
After the announcement of the measure, Hundreds of Cubans demonstrated in the vicinity of the Panamanian embassy in Havana in order to obtain a postponement of the entry into force of the measure. First they managed to get it extended until March 13 and then until the 15th.
Already on March 16, the Panamanian government waived the transit visa requirement to Cubans who return to the island, to residents abroad or who have multiple visas of not less than six months at the time they transit through Panamanian territory. To these, Now those who have a visa of the final destination place are added.
However, the authorities They did not agree to an extension that would cover all of Marchas demanded by the Cubans who for several days gathered near the diplomatic headquarters.
