Panama extends the transit visa requirement for Cubans

The government of Panama has decided to extend until July 31, 2026 the requirement for mandatory transit visas for Cubans, a measure that has complicated travel for those who must stop in the isthmus on their way to other destinations for nearly three years.

The Executive Decree No. 22, signed by President José Raúl Mulino and published in the Official Gazette on August 25, confirms that all Cuban passengers and crew members must continue to present this visa to transit through Panamanian territory.

The text extends what was established in Executive Decree No. 162 of December 2022, which imposed a transit visa as a requirement for Cuban citizens, both passengers and crew members.

According to the document, the measure aims to “ensure the sustainability of migration policy” and addresses the need to maintain an orderly and secure control of the migration flows that traverse the country.

The decree also specifies that:

• Cubans must apply for the transit visa through the Embassy of Panama in Havana, via a qualified attorney.
• The visa allows you to remain for up to 24 hours in the international transit area of the airport, without formally entering Panamanian territory.
• Cubans who hold valid visas from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, or countries in the European Union are exempt from this requirement, provided that these visas are at least six months valid and have been used previously.
• It is also exempted for those who have permanent residence in third countries or a verifiable employment contract in their destination.

The news comes amid significant discontent among Cubans. The Panamanian Consulate in Havana recently warned about the increase in visa appointment scams, reminding that there are no travel agencies or authorized agents and that the only valid channel is through a licensed attorney in the Panamanian judicial system.

However, this demand has opened the door to new abuses. Several Cubans report that, even when hiring "suitable" lawyers, the appointments never materialize and the processes are delayed without explanation.

"I work with a qualified lawyer, and since last year, I have pending appointments. The lawyer follows up every month, and at Immigration, they do whatever they want. They just say, 'wait for the process,'" shared a Panamanian manager of Cuban origin.

Since 2022, Panama requires Cubans to have a transit visa as a mandatory condition to continue their journey to a third country. Although the decree includes exceptions for those who hold visas or residency permits in nations with "high migration standards," most travelers remain trapped in a bureaucratic maze that complicates and delays their plans.

With the new extension, thousands of Cuban families who use Panama as a stopover to reunite with their loved ones or start new migratory paths will have to continue facing a process characterized by obstacles, uncertainty, and the constant risk of falling victim to scams.

FAQs about the Transit Visa Requirement for Cubans in Panama