New Consular Visa Exemption Eliminates Exemption for EU and Schengen Visa Holders
January 17, 2017
Country / Territory
Related offices
A new decree replaces the current Consular Visa exemption with a new one only for those holding a valid Australian, Canadian, UK or U.S. multiple-entry visa valid for at least one year from the date of entry and used at least once, for stays up to 30 days initially, renewable twice for 30 days each stay through an in-country process. The previous exemption, allowing EU or Schengen country visa holders to qualify for the exemption as well, has been eliminated.
EU and Schengen visa holders currently in Panama can remain until their visa exemption expires.
The decree applies only to visa nationals who use one of these visas to enter Panama without a Panamanian entry visa, and does not apply to visa-exempt nationals.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals affected by the decree should contact their immigration professional to discuss the amended entry rules.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Country / Territory
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Director David Iannella discusses how Global Entry can help frequent business travelers navigate US entry more predictably and access TSA PreCheck.
Advisory services
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm explore the EU Blue Card recast and its impact for employers, highlighting how hiring, retention and mobility decisions are affected.
Immigration analysis
Manager Konstantin Schmid provides a practical overview of Swiss citizenship routes, eligibility rules and common reasons applications are delayed or refused.
Media mentions
Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses how recent changes to Italy’s citizenship rules are affecting applicants with Italian ancestry.
Podcast
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.
Media mentions
Senior Manager William Diaz outlines how immigration changes in the US and UK may affect workforce planning and mobility for the games industry in 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole highlights how global mobility is becoming a strategic, board-level consideration requiring careful planning, compliance and workforce management.
Video
Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.
Video
In this episode of the Fragomen FC, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Jake Paul Minster, Manager Gustavo Kanashiro and Manager Sergio Flores discuss how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility, compliance and cross-border movement throughout South America.
Blog post
Senior Associate Ruben Fiedler outlines the new employer information obligation under Section 45c of the German Residence Act, explaining when it applies, what employers must provide to third-country nationals recruited from abroad and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance from 1 January 2026.
Podcast
Partners Cosmina Morariu and Rahul Soni examine how immigration and global mobility trends are influencing workforce strategy across the luxury sector.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit compares the EU’s new Visa Strategy with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system and assesses what the UK can learn to remain competitive for global talent.
Video
Director David Iannella discusses how Global Entry can help frequent business travelers navigate US entry more predictably and access TSA PreCheck.
Advisory services
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm explore the EU Blue Card recast and its impact for employers, highlighting how hiring, retention and mobility decisions are affected.
Immigration analysis
Manager Konstantin Schmid provides a practical overview of Swiss citizenship routes, eligibility rules and common reasons applications are delayed or refused.
Media mentions
Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses how recent changes to Italy’s citizenship rules are affecting applicants with Italian ancestry.
Podcast
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.
Media mentions
Senior Manager William Diaz outlines how immigration changes in the US and UK may affect workforce planning and mobility for the games industry in 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole highlights how global mobility is becoming a strategic, board-level consideration requiring careful planning, compliance and workforce management.
Video
Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.
Video
In this episode of the Fragomen FC, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Jake Paul Minster, Manager Gustavo Kanashiro and Manager Sergio Flores discuss how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility, compliance and cross-border movement throughout South America.
Blog post
Senior Associate Ruben Fiedler outlines the new employer information obligation under Section 45c of the German Residence Act, explaining when it applies, what employers must provide to third-country nationals recruited from abroad and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance from 1 January 2026.
Podcast
Partners Cosmina Morariu and Rahul Soni examine how immigration and global mobility trends are influencing workforce strategy across the luxury sector.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit compares the EU’s new Visa Strategy with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system and assesses what the UK can learn to remain competitive for global talent.