On March 16, Executive Decree No. 20 was published in the Official Gazette, which modifies the decree that requires a visa for Cuban passengers or crew members in transit through Panama.
Previously, the decree established that the visa was necessary for all Cubans in transit to another destination or returning to Cuba; however, with the new regulations there will be exceptions in the following cases: Cuban citizens traveling to Cuba; Citizens who have a residence or visa valid for not less than six months at the time of transit from these countries: Canada, the United States, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the States of the European Union.
“All other passengers or crew members with a Cuban passport who need to transit through the Republic of Panama will be subject to the visa for transit passengers or crew members,” the decree states.
In the same way, with this decree the duration of the visa is changed, previously it had been determined that it would only be granted for a maximum period of 24 hours, but now its validity is extended for the duration of the measure, which according to the regulations It is for a period of three months.
However, it should be noted that during their transit, the Cuban citizen will only be able to stay in the determined area for 24 hours.
This will take effect from its enactment and this was precisely on Wednesday, March 16. The requirements for the visa process are established in Executive Decree No. 19 of March 8, 2022.
