Panama removes transit visa requirement for Cubans traveling to Cuba

The Government of Panama exempted Cuban citizens or crew members transiting through the Isthmus on their way back to the island from the visa requirement. In addition, she has modified other details of the previous ruling.

Executive Decree No. 20, signed by the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, and the Minister of Public Security, Juan Manuel Pino, amending Articles 1 and 2 of the previous ruling, in effect since March 8, 2022.

According to the text published Wednesday in the Official Gazette of Panama, Cuban citizens transiting through the Central American country on their way to the island are exempted from the visa requirement for transiting travelers or crew members.

Cuban citizens who have valid residency or multiple visas, previously used in the donor country, valid for at least six months at the time of transit, duly granted by the United States and Canada, are also exempt from this requirement.

In this case, citizens with valid residency or multiple visas issued by Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Singapore and any of the countries that make up the European Union are also included.

Other passengers with a Cuban passport who need to make a stopover in the Republic of Panama will be subject to the visa for transit passengers or crew members, according to the new executive decree.

Articles 1 and 2 of the previous provision, No. 19, require a transit visa for all Cuban passengers or crew members in transit through the Channel State, valid for three months, and only authorized the person to stay for 24 hours in the international transit area of ​​the air terminal, in order to continue your journey to another destination or to your country of origin.

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(with information from Prensa Latina)