Panama visa requirements for Swazis

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Swazis visiting Panama

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Panamanian Visa.

  • Swazis are to apply for an authorized visa from the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • A Swaziland passport valid for at least 3 months after entry into Panama.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • The birth certificate of the minor is required as well as a letter of consent signed by both parents.
  • A valid means of identification of your host is required.
  • Three passport-size photographs (35 x 45 mm) taken in the white background that meets the visa photo specification.
  • For non-Swazis, a resident permit is needed.
  • You must also show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of US $ 500.00 upon entering.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Round trip ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to the home country, e.g. verification from the applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Valid medical insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
  • Payment of migratory services.

Panama Visa for Swazis

Facts about Panama

Panama is a country popularly known for its beaches, mountains, modern cities, and historic ruins. There are a lot of activities to do while they are in the country, Tourists can visit any of the beaches to relax and surf. Other activities that can be engaged in by foreigners include whitewater rafting, hiking through any of the numerous national parks and enjoy the sights of over 960 species of birds. Horses are a way of life in Panama, this makes horseback riding a popular tourist attraction.
 
In 2013, over 1.5 million foreigners visited Panama. The number of tourist visits has steadily been on the rise since the turn of the decade, the country was even named as the best place to visit by The New York Times Magazine. The number of tourist visits is expected to increase for years to come.
 
Foreigners are required to declare currency of up to $10,000 on entry and exit from the country. There are strict laws regarding the import into and export from Panama of items such as firearms, ammunition, wildlife species, biological material, and food products.
 
Citizens of the following country can enter Panama for up to 180 days without a visa: Andorra, Angola,  Antigua y Barbuda, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Paraguay, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela.

Types of Panama Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 90 days
Business visa 15 days 90 days

General Requirements for Panama Visa

  • Swazis are to apply for an authorized visa from the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • A Swaziland passport valid for at least 3 months after entry into Panama.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • The birth certificate of the minor is required as well as a letter of consent signed by both parents.
  • A valid means of identification of your host is required.
  • Three passport-size photographs (35 x 45 mm) taken in the white background that meets the visa photo specification.
  • For non-Swazis, a resident permit is needed.
  • You must also show proof of economic solvency for a minimum of US $ 500.00 upon entering.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Round trip ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to the home country, e.g. verification from the applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Valid medical insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
  • Payment of migratory services.
Panama Tourist visa Panama Business visa

Panama Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is for people intending to visit Panama for tourism purposes.
  • Any visitor who wants to visit Panama as a tourist will need to be in possession of a valid passport and an onward or return ticket.
  • You can visit friends and family with this visa type.
  • The Panama tourist visa is a restrictive visa that visitors need to obtain before they enter Panama.
  • The duration of stay granted for this visa type is determined by the migration authorities but it usually offers a stay of up to 90 days.
  • Applicants must ensure that the passport photograph they use matches or corresponds to all the specifications required for visa photographs. They will need to submit two copies of the passport photograph along with the visa application form.
  • You will be required to pay $50 for the migratory services at the National Service of Immigration.
  • Proof of accommodation which could be a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a host in Panama.
  • To be eligible for Panama tourist visa, you must provide proof of your financial ability to support yourself during your stay in Panama. This proof could come in the form of a bank statement showing that you have at least $500.
  • The visa application fee is non-refundable. Whether or not a visa is granted, the fee will not be refunded.
  • This visa costs $100 and it is usually processed in 15 days.

Panama Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Panamanian business visa is for Swazis intending to visit Panama for business purposes.
  • Another type of business visa is the Panama business investor visa.
  • The Panama business investor visa is for travelers looking to invest in a Panama business as shareholders or officers.
  • You must have a minimum capital stock of $160,000 to request for the Panama Business Investor Visa.
  • If the intending business investor has dependents, the Panama business investment must increase by $2,000 for each dependent. 
  • Certificate of original legal status from the Public Registry is required.
  • Certification by the Secretary or Treasurer of the Panama business attesting that the minimum value of $160,000 exists. The certification must be in writing signed before a notary.
  • Copy of the business plan for the company.
  • Receipt of advance payment of the capital gains tax in case the applicant has acquired an existing company of a third party and copy of the Panama business purchase contract.
  • For a recently started Panama business, the Unique Registration of the Taxpayer (RUC) identity number must be provided.
  • A statement signed by the applicant before a Notary Public, indicating the total of the minimum required capital invested, the role of the applicant in the company, as well as detailing the Panama business activities of the company should be provided.
  • A cover letter stating the purpose and duration of your stay is required for the business visa.
  • You are to present a valid return ticket to show that you will leave the country before your visa expires.
  • An invitation letter from the company in Panama is necessary for this visa.
  • Letter from Chamber of Commerce should also be provided.
  • You must receive an approval from Panama Immigration Department.

Panama Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

100.00 (USD)

Business visa

100.00 (USD)

Panama Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Swaziland

Location

Address

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter Panama without a Panama visa?
You can enter Panama with a valid visa or residence permit of Canada, USA, Australia, Korea, Japan, UK, Northern Ireland, Singapore, and some other EU countries. The visa must be a multiple entry visa and cannot have a validity fewer than 6 months.
Which cities are great for visit to Panama?
Panama City which is the capital and has 3 districts of interest is often a popular choice for visitors. Balboa, Boquete, Coronado, David Gamboa, and Portobelo are some other interesting cities to visit in Panama.
Can I visit Panama with only knowledge of English?
Panama is a bilingual country with Spanish and English as its official languages. About 14% of the country's populace speak English fluently and these are usually people in Panama City and areas near the canal. In Kuna Yala, Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca, Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro, and the north coast generally, indigenous languages are mostly spoken.
Is Panama a safe country to visit?
Most of Panama is very safe especially in the rural areas as the people are generally friendly and very helpful. However, the border region between Panama and Colombia is considered extraordinarily dangerous due to Colombian rebel groups and drug traffickers. A large part of the city of Colon is also considered dangerous as well as neighborhoods in Panama City like Chorrillo, Curundu, and El Marañón.