visago
Panama
United StatesPanamaNo visa needed

Do citizens of the United States need a visa for Panama?

Citizens of the United States don’t need a visa for Panama and can stay up to 180 days. You need a valid passport; border officers may ask for a return ticket and accommodation. For a longer stay you need a visa or an extension.

For citizens of the United States: the passport opens 112 countries visa-free; Washington, D.C. — Panama City: ≈ 3,340 km, about 4.5 hours of flying.

Checked by visa analyst Albert Brown, 13 years of experience · September 26, 2026

At a glance

No visa needed

Stay: 180 days

Can I travel to Panama without a visa on a United States passport?

Yes, citizens of the United States don’t need a visa for Panama for up to 180 days. A valid passport is enough.

Panama visa rules at a glance

  • With a United States passport you can visit 112 countries visa-free, 32 with a visa on arrival and 35 with an e-visa; 19 more require an embassy visa.
  • By the number of visa-free destinations, the United States passport ranks 39th of 199.
  • United States passport: visa-free access to 112 countries; Panama passport: 88.
  • Citizens of the United States and Panama can travel together visa-free to 83 countries, for example: Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Honduras, Guatemala, Dominica, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Costa Rica, and Barbados.
  • Both countries use the same currency — US Dollar — so there is no need to exchange money.
  • Citizens of Panama, in turn, need an embassy visa to travel to the United States. United States visa for citizens of Panama

Travelling to Panama: good to know

  • Washington, D.C. — Panama City: about 3,340 km in a straight line; a direct flight takes roughly 4.5 hours.
  • Time difference with your country’s capital: +4 hours.
  • Local time: Washington, D.C. 12:00 — Panama City 16:00.
  • Local currency: Panamanian Balboa and US Dollar.
  • Languages: Spanish.
  • Exchange rate: $1.00 ≈ PAB 1.00.
  • Panama is the 20th closest of 197 destinations open to citizens of the United States.
United States → Panama

Combine your trip

Neighbouring countries and their visa rules for citizens of the United States:

How citizens of neighbouring countries travel to Panama

Visa rules for Panama for citizens of countries bordering the United States:

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight: Washington, D.C. — Panama City?

About 4.5 hours on a direct flight: the capitals are roughly 3,340 km apart. With a connection it takes longer.

What is the time difference with Panama?

Time difference with your country’s capital: +4 hours.

Do citizens of Panama need a visa for the United States?

Citizens of Panama, in turn, need an embassy visa to travel to the United States.

The cheapest e-visas for citizens of the United States

More destinations for citizens of United States

Where you can travel with a passport of: United States

Facts checked: · Government fees