Panama visa requirements for Kenyan citizens
Kenyan citizens need a visa for Panama and must apply for it before the trip at a consulate or embassy.
- Minimum passport validity
- 3 months
Last verified: 8 September 2026
How this visa is processed
The Panamanian consulate with jurisdiction over Kenya (authorised visa), unless the third-country-visa exemption applies
Kenya is among the countries whose nationals need an "authorized visa" for Panama. That visa is applied for in person at a Panamanian consulate and must be approved by the National Migration Service in Panama: the process can take up to 60 business days, so don't finalise travel plans until it is granted. It requires, among other things, minimum funds of USD 500 and a flight itinerary. The corridor's fast track is the exemption: a Kenyan does not need the authorised visa if they hold a valid visa or residence from Canada, the United States, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore or a European Union country, provided that visa is multiple-entry, has been used at least once in the issuing country, and has at least six months' validity on entry to Panama.
Official application site →Application details verified on 8 September 2026. Sources: embassyofpanama.org (Visas: authorised visa for restricted countries: approval by the National Migration Service, up to 60 business days, USD 500 in funds; exemption with a multiple-entry visa or residence from Canada, the US, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Singapore or the EU, used at least once and with 6 months' validity). Checked 8 September 2026.
Verified practical details
You'll need to apply for a visa at a consulate or embassy before travelling. Here are the practical details we've verified:
Fee
Tourist entry for the passports we track has no pre-authorisation fee (no paid ETA/eVisa).
Required documents
- Original passport or travel document, valid for at least 3 months.
- Completed Entry/Exit Card, provided by the airline or transport company.
- Traveller's Sworn Health Declaration, mandatory for every adult traveller.
- Return ticket when the immigration category requires it.
How much money you need to show
At least 500 balboas (US$500), and more for a long stay
The amount has to match the length of stay you declare and can never be under 500. Under-18s do not need to show it.
Source: National Migration Service of Panama, frequently asked questions. Checked on 1 November 2026.
Health insurance
Not mandatory for this destination.
When travel insurance is mandatory → Travel insurance policies ↓Transit rules
Tourist visa/permit valid for a maximum of 90 days.
More Panama rules
They don't depend on your passport, so they are on the Panama page:
Official portal: https://www.migracion.gob.pa. Destination data verified on 18 August 2026. Sources: migracion.gob.pa (National Immigration Service: entry requirements, entry/exit card, USD 500 proof of funds, 90-day maximum stay); panamadigital.gob.pa (Traveler's Sworn Health Declaration, mandatory health form); ana.gob.pa and declaraciondeviajero.ana.gob.pa (National Customs Authority: USD 10,000 cash declaration, USD 500 baggage allowance every 6 months) (checked 18/08/2026). Passport validity: migracion.gob.pa (National Immigration Service FAQ, entry requirements for visitors), checked 31 October 2026.
Travel insurance for Panama
It isn't listed as mandatory for this entry, but without insurance, medical care during the trip can get expensive.
See IATI's international site →IATI sells its policies according to the country you live in. Where do you live?
If your country isn't listed, try IATI's international site.
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Things to see and do in Panama
Tours, skip-the-line tickets and day trips, most with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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This pair in context
In the other direction, citizens of Panama need an electronic travel authorisation to enter Kenya. See the Panama → Kenya page.
Of the 18 passports from Eastern Africa that VisaRadar tracks, for travel to Panama 4 enter visa-free and 14 need a visa. Same result as Kenya: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique.
With a passport from Kenya, in the rest of Central America you need a prior authorisation or a visa on arrival for El Salvador; you need a visa for Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
A passport from Kenya ranks 124 of 199 in the VisaRadar passport ranking and reaches 65 of 198 destinations without applying for a visa in advance.
Counts from the same requirements matrix behind this page's verdict, using the UN M49 subregions.
Frequently asked questions
Do Kenyan citizens need a visa for Panama?
Yes. You must apply for the visa in advance at the relevant consulate or embassy.
What minimum passport validity is required?
Original passport or travel document, valid for at least 3 months.
What currency is used in Panama?
Panamanian Balboa (PAB).
I have a multiple-entry US visa I've already used: do I need a visa for Panama?
No, provided it also has at least six months' validity on entry. With a valid visa or residence from the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and other listed countries, a Kenyan is exempt from the authorised visa.
How long does the authorised visa take?
Up to 60 business days, because it is approved by the National Migration Service in Panama, not by the consulate. Don't buy tickets until you have it.
How much money do Kenyan passport holders need to enter Panama?
The reference amount is at least 500 balboas (US$500), and more for a long stay. The amount has to match the length of stay you declare and can never be under 500. Under-18s do not need to show it.
What do Kenyan passport holders need for the countries near Panama?
With a passport from Kenya, in the rest of Central America you need a prior authorisation or a visa on arrival for El Salvador; you need a visa for Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
Related pages
See Panama requirements for other passports →
Informational only. Always verify requirements with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.