The Panama Government announced that it will maintain until July 31, 2026 the demand for transit visa for Cubans traveling as passengers or crew on international flights that scale in that country.

The provision was officially published by an Executive Decree signed by President José Raúl Mulino and becomes the most recent extension of a regulation that began to be applied in December 2022.

How Traffic Visa in Panama works

Citizens of Cuba who need to go through the Tocumen International Airport, one of the most used in the region for air connections, are required to request this visa before traveling.

The procedure is managed from the Panama Embassy in Havana, but it can only be done through an accredited lawyer in Panama, which increases the costs of the procedure.

The transit visa gives a very limited permission: it only allows a maximum of 24 hours to remain in the airport connection zone, without the possibility of entering the national territory or using it as a tourist or residence visa.

Exceptions for certain travelers

Although most Cubans need this permission, there are cases in which it is not mandatory. There are exempt who have a current visa from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan or European Union countries, provided that it has a validity of at least six months and has been previously used.

The demand is also released from those who have permanent residence in another country or have a proven employment contract in the destination. These exceptions seek to facilitate transit to those who already have consolidated migratory links outside Cuba.

Reasons behind the extent of the measure

According to Panamanian authorities, the extension of this requirement responds to the need to guarantee a stricter control in migratory flows and the safety of operations at the airport.

The Central American country works as an important transit point to North America, Europe and South America, so the authorities have reinforced their regulations to avoid irregularities and possible saturations of the airport system.

Difficulties for Cubans

For many Cuban travelers, this requirement represents a considerable obstacle. The appointment application at the Embassy can take months, even hiring specialized lawyers, which has generated a parallel market for managers and intermediaries that sometimes end up being scams.

In addition, the high costs of the procedure and uncertainty about approval affect those who need to travel urgently, more than access to international air routes and limiting connection options.

Key points on the transit visa in Panama

1. Validity of the extension: until July 2026.
2. Application: Panama Embassy in Havana, through an authorized lawyer.
3. Allowed duration: 24 hours in international transit zone.
4. Exceptions: Valid visas of USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and EU; permanent residence in another country; work contract at destination.
5. MAIN PROBLEMS: delays, high expenses and Risk of fraud.

The Panamanian transit visa for Cubans will continue to be an indispensable requirement until 2026. Although there are exceptions for certain travelers, most must face the bureaucratic process, which in practice has become an economic and logistics challenge.