---
titulo: "Non-Resident Visas in Panama: Tourism, Business, and Short Stays"
titulo_seo: "Non-Resident Visas in Panama: Tourism and Business"
meta: "Tourism, family visits, business, seafarers and short-term work: the Panama visas that let you enter without residency, and the 90-day tourist limit."
autor: "Diego Ospina Serna"
fecha: 2023-03-22
actualizado: 2026-07-02
materia: "Immigration Law"
idioma: "en"
par: "no-residente"
resumen: "A guide to the visa categories available to those entering Panama for a temporary period without seeking residency: tourism, family visits, business, the banking sector, seafarers, temporary workers, and entertainers."
tags: ["Visas", "Non-Resident", "Expats Panama"]
orden: 20230322
---
For those seeking to enter Panama for a temporary period — whether for tourism, business, family visits, or other specific purposes — it is essential to understand the different categories of short-stay visas available. Below is an organized guide to non-resident visas.

## Tourism and personal visits

**Tourist Visa:** allows entry into the country for recreational and cultural purposes. The authorized stay is generally up to 90 days.

**Tourist Visa Extension:** in justified cases, an extension of the tourist visa may be requested before its expiration.

**Short-Stay Visa to Visit Family Members:** intended for those who wish to visit spouses, children, parents, or siblings who are Panamanian citizens or residents of the country.

## Professional and business activities

**Short-Stay Business Visa:** for foreigners entering the country in order to carry out commercial transactions, establish subsidiaries of foreign companies, or take part in business meetings.

**Short-Stay Visa for the Banking Sector:** aimed at personnel working in the banking sector who need to enter Panama for reasons related to their professional activity.

**Short-Stay Visa as Merchants and Investors under Special Laws:** for those seeking to explore investment opportunities or carry out transactions in special economic zones, such as Export Processing Zones or call centers.

**Seafarer Visa:** for ship crew members who need to disembark at Panamanian ports.

**Transient or Temporary Workers Visa:** for persons hired for a fixed period to perform specific work.

**Entertainment Workers Visa:** for artists and technical personnel who are part of public events and shows.

## What if I want to stay longer?

None of these visas grants residency: they are short-stay permits with a specific purpose and an expiration date. If, on the other hand, you are looking to settle in Panama permanently, review our [catalog of immigration permits](/servicios/migracion/) or the guide [What is an immigration status and how to obtain it?](/guias/what-is-an-immigration-status-and-how-to-obtain-it/).

Before traveling, always verify the current requirements on the [Servicio Nacional de Migración (National Immigration Service)](https://www.migracion.gob.pa) portal, since the categories and their conditions may be updated.