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Get up-to-date information on the Coronavirus changing situation, its restrictions and requirements for U.S. citizens in Panama.
American Citizen Services
We have resumed routine American Citizen Services. Staffing is still reduced due to pandemic precautions, and there will be a limited number of interviews scheduled per week. Please see routine services below. If you need to request an emergency service, email your request to Panama-ACS@state.gov, and be sure to explain the nature of the emergency.
Visa Services
As of September 17, 2020, the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Panama is able to process certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa services. We are currently scheduling appointments for the following types of non-immigrant visas: students, crew-members, journalists, people with extraordinary abilities, artists, athletes, investors, diplomatic, and work visas. B1/B2 visa holders can also renew their visas by mail if they meet the requirements. We are also scheduling immigrant visa interviews. Please see routine services below.
International Parental Child Abduction
International parental child abduction is the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian’s custody rights.
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The U.S. Embassy in Panama can help you contact your family, bank, or employer so that you can arrange for them to send funds. The fastest way to provide money from the U.S. to Panama is to use a commercial service. Several companies offer such a service including Western Union.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you reside in Panama and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Costa Rica. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at: https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/. For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World. If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices.
The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) of the American Embassy in Panama assists U.S. citizens, Panamanians, and third country nationals who receive benefits from the Civil Service, Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. We also assist former employees of the Panama Canal Commission that suffered on-the- job injuries and receive compensation from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs under the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal Assistance Medical Assistance American Citizen Services Unit Living in Panama Travel in PanamaThe U.S. Embassy in Panama assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or reputation of the persons, medical facilities or companies appearing below. All listed institutions reported they had English- speaking physicians at the time the list was created in June 2017.
This section provides an overview of the intercountry adoption process. The process varies greatly, as it is governed by the laws of the countries where the adoptive parents and the child reside (which in the case of the United States means both federal and state law), and also in which of these locations the legal adoption is finalized. Additionally, if the child’s home country is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, the Hague processes of both countries must be followed. Prospective adoptive parents should consider all of these factors when evaluating what to expect.
Births
A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
U.S. embassy personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.
Issues Affecting Minor Children
Minors (children under 18) who are citizens (including dual citizens) or legal residents of Panama are required to present both parents’ identification documents, birth certificates, and notarized consent (in Spanish) in order to exit the country if not accompanied by both parents. (PLEASE NOTE that the notarized consent should also be apostilled if the consent is signed in the U.S). Any child born in Panama automatically obtains Panamanian citizenship.
Curfew for Minors
The Government of Panama strictly enforces the juvenile curfew law, which requires minors under 18 years of age who are not under the supervision of an adult to be off the streets between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The curfew law applies to both Panamanian and foreign citizens. Minors who commit a curfew violation are subject to detention at a police station until they are released into the custody of their parents. Parents may be fined for the violation, and the amount of the fine is up to the discretion of the Corregidor (magistrate) of the local area. Students attending night classes must have a carnet issued by the school. Minors who are employed must obtain a certificate of employment.
Please call: (507) 317-5000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (507) 317-5000
Outside of Panama: (507) 317-5000
Emergency Contact Enroll in STEP International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
