The government of Panama made official this Monday an executive decree that once again modifies the conditions and requirements for the issuance of transit visas for Cuban citizens who make a stopover in that country.
He Decree No. 30published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Panama and effective immediately, modifies articles 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Executive Decree No. 162promulgated in December 2022, which established the transit visa as a requirement for passengers of Cuban nationality.
The new decree maintains said requirement and establishes that Cuban citizens traveling to Cuba; have a valid tourist visa or residence in the Republic of Panama; have a valid entry visa from the country of final destination; or hold residence or multiple visa (previously used and valid for more than six months) from Canada, the United States, Australia, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Singapore and any of the states belonging to the European Union remain free of apply for the visa
The modification in this first article consists in the fact that those who have a proven employment contract in the country of final destination, which complies with the required international legal standards, are released from the obligation to obtain a transit visa.
From now on, it will not be necessary to prove five years of seniority for Cubans permanent residents in third countries, it will be enough to be flying back to the country where they have residence.
For those who still need to apply for a transit visa, Article 2 of the decree maintains the validity of this document for up to twenty-four hours in the Panamanian airport. It adds that the document will be valid while the decree is in force, that is, three months from its promulgation.
The rest of the modifications refer to carrying out the procedure and do not make significant changes. If before the interested party had the only option to carry out the process in person, now there is the possibility of using a legal representative, who must present the power of attorney authenticated by the Panamanian embassy in the issued country or by the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For minors, the process must be carried out by one of the parents, with the authorization of the other, or by an accredited legal guardian.
The minimum period for the request is still thirty business days prior to the date of travel.
