Update
April 12, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Panama

Panama
Republic of Panama

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None One 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 None Multiple 60 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 $65.00 Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B $45.00 Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I $65.00 Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 $45.00 Multiple 60 Months
L-2 $45.00 Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 $45.00 Multiple 60 Months
R-2 $45.00 Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Most Civil documents may be obtained through the Registry Civil, and court documents may be obtained through the applicable court with jurisdiction.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Certificado de Nacimiento or Certificado de Nacimiento Copia Integra (depending on visa class)

Issuing Authority: Registro Civil (a department of the Tribunal Electoral)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at any provincial Registro Civil (Tribunal Electoral) office in Panama.

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  Copia Integra birth certificates are mandatory for cases in which the petition is based on a relationship by birth (parent-child, child-parent, or siblings).

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Birth certificates are available for persons born since April 15, 1914, when the Civil Registry of Panama was established. Incomplete records of births prior to that date are compiled from secondary sources.  The literal copy (copia integra), which is a legal size document that includes the date of registration of the birth and name and relationship of registrant, as well as the names of the grandparents.  Under Panamanian Law No. 60 of September 30, 1946, children born out of wedlock are legitimate if they are recognized by their natural father. As there have been cases of men recognizing children who were not their natural offspring, a literal copy (copia integra) of the birth certificate should be requested in all cases where it is necessary to establish paternity and to determine if the child was recognized at birth. Birth Certificates from the former Canal Zone are available from 1904 to September 30, 1979.  They should be requested from the Department of State at the following address:

Passport Vital Records Office
Department of State
Passports Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
Sterling, VA 20166-1213

Telephone number:  202-955-0307

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Certificado de Defuncion

Issuing Authority: Registro Civil (a department of the Tribunal Electoral)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Apply at any provincial Registro Civil (Tribunal Electoral) office in Panama.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  Death Certificates from the former Canal Zone are available from 1904 to September 30, 1979. They should be requested from the Department of State at the following address:

Passport Vital Records Office
Department of State
Passports Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
Sterling, VA 20166-1213

Telephone number: 202-955-0307

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees:  There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Certificado de Matrimonio

Issuing Authority: Registro Civil (a department of the Tribunal Electoral)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Apply at any provincial Registro Civil (Tribunal Electoral) office in Panama.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments: Marriage certificates have been available since April 15, 1914. Only scattered records are available prior to that date.  Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Panama.  Marriage Certificates from the former Canal Zone are available from 1904 to September 30, 1979. They should be requested from the Department of State at the following address:

Civilian Records (NWCTC)
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Road, National Archives
College Park, MD 20740-6001

Telephone number: 202-955-0307

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees:  There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Certificado de Divorcio

Issuing Authority: Registro Civil (a department of the Tribunal Electoral)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  There are no special seals, colors or formatting.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply at any provincial Registro Civil (Tribunal Electoral) office in Panama.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents:  Panamanian nationals may obtain evidence of relationship status by obtaining a Certification of Unmarried Status (Certificado de Solteria). The Certification of Unmarried Status certifies that there are no marriages registered in Panama. Certificado de Solteria is availableto foreigners in possession of a cedula (Panamanian identification document).

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Adoption Certificates

Unavailable

Comments: After adoptions are finalized, birth certificates are issued with the new names.

Identity Card

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Cedula de Identificacion Personal

Issuing Authority: Registro Civil (a department of the Tribunal Electoral)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria:  There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Apply in person at any provincial Registro Civil (Tribunal Electoral) office in Panama.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Applicants less than 18 years of age may obtain a Cedula Juvenil.  This is not a legal requirement.

Comments: None

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available

Fees:

  • Police Certificate (Para Uso Internacional) - USD $9.00
  • Canal Zone Certificate -There is no fee for this document

Document Name:  

  • Police Certificate (historial policivo y penal) - Available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) from the Direccion de Investigacion Judicial (DIJ), which bears the apostille seal.
  • Canal Zone Certificate - the Canal Zone certificate is available for both citizens of Panama and third country nationals who were born on or before October 1966 and who resided in Panama before 1982.

Issuing Authority: Direccion de Investigacion Judicial (DIJ)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:

  • Police Certificate - Bears the apostille seals (2)
  • Canal Zone Certificate - There is no special seals, colors or formatting

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:

  • Police Certificate (Para Uso Internacional) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) from the Direccion de Investigacion Judicial (DIJ)
  • Canal Zone Certificate - U.S. Embassy Consular Section, Panama City

Registration Criteria:

  • Police Certificate (Para Uso Internacional) - Applicants 18 years of age and older, who have resided in Panama for more than six (6) months, should get a police record (Para Uso Internacional) through the MFA from the DIJ.
  • Canal Zone Certificate - The Canal Zone certificate is available for both citizens of Panama and third country nationals who were born on or before October 1966 and who resided in Panama before 1982.

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • Police Certificate (Para Uso Internacional) - The processing time for this certificate is ten days. Requests for police records from the DIJ should be sent to the following address:

Record Policivo
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Departamento de Autenticaciones y Legalizaciones
Plaza Suntower, First Floor, El Dorado, Panama City

  • Canal Zone Certificate - Complete the form "Application for Certificate of Good Conduct" and submit it to the Consular Section. This document may only be requested in Panama.

Certified Copies Available:

  • Police Certificate (Para Uso Internacional) - Certified copies are not available
  • Canal Zone Certificate - Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: The Canal Zone certificate is available for both citizens of Panama and third country nationals who were born on or before October 1966 and who resided in Panama before 1982. Police records formerly held by the Panama Canal Commission are now held by the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section. The Canal Zone Certificate of Good Conduct available from the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section. 

Exceptions: None

Comments: Send a copy of the police certificate to the National Visa Center (NVC). Please bring the original  police records from Panama to the U.S. Embassy at the time of the interview.

 

Court

Available

Fees: Fees may vary for this service

Document Name: Resolucion de la Corte

Issuing Authority: The court with jurisdictional authority over the case.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply in person; applications are filed with the court that has jurisdictional authority over the case.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Prison Records

Available

Fees: Fees may vary for this service

Document Name:  Resolucion de la Corte

Issuing Authority:  The court with jurisdictional authority over the case.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Penal Court

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Apply in person; applications are filed with the court that has jurisdictional authority over the case.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments:  None
 

Court Records

Available

Fees: Fees for this document may vary

Document Name:  Resolucion de la Corte

Issuing Authority: The court with jurisdictional authority over the case.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Penal Court

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply in person; applications are filed with the court that has jurisdictional authority over the case.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  Court records created in the Canal Zone during American jurisdiction are held in the National Archives in the Records of District Courts of the United States (Record Group 21).   Information on fees for copies of court records may be obtained from the National Archives website. The mailing address is:

National Archives & Records Administration
Old Military and Civilian Records
700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20408-0001

Military Records

Unavailable

Comments:  Panama has no standing or reserve military

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):  Regular

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Pasaporte

Issuing Government Authority: APAP (Autoridad Panamena de Pasaporte)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals, colors or formatting

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: APAP (Autoridad Panamena de Pasaporte)

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Apply, in person, at the closest APAP (Autoridad Panamena de Pasaporte) office.

Alternate Documents: Salvo Conducto and Permiso de Regreso, when presented together, meet the requirements of INA 101(a)(30). Salvo Conductos are valid for a maximum of one year and are not renewable.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Documents Available: Passports issued on and after September 9, 1969, are valid for five years and are not renewable.

Other Records

Not applicable

Visa Issuing Posts

Panama City, Panama (Embassy)

UNIT 0945
APO AA 34002-9100

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Panama.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.