After a stay in Panama has expired: fines and voluntary return
Panama's migration service charges a fine of B/.50.00 per month or part of a month overdue, or B/.100.00 for people married to a Panamanian or with Panamanian children. It also describes a voluntary return process, which carries an entry ban of two to five years. People married to Panamanians or with Panamanian children get an internal alert instead. No current general regularisation programme was found.
1 entry rule for Panama based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Moving to Panama
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Panamanian Balboa
PAB
Panamanian Balboa
Cost of living
50
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–25%
Income tax (national)
ITBMS (VAT) 7%
Annual taxable income up to USD 11,000 exempt; 15% to USD 50,000; 25% above.
Living
1
Happiness
#37 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in Panama whose authorised stay has expired.
Standard fine
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou pay a fine for each month you are overdue, including any part of a month.
B/.50.00
Standard fine
Official wording
B/.50.00 per month overdue or part of a month.
Family fine
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou pay a higher monthly fine if you are married to a Panamanian or have Panamanian children.
Family fine and certificate stamp
- Per month overdueor part of a month
- B/.100.00
- Certificate stampon marriage or birth certificate
- B/.3.00
- You need a marriage or birth certificate stamped with B/.3.00
Official wording
B/.100.00 per month overdue or part of a month if you are married to a Panamanian or have Panamanian children. You need a marriage or birth certificate stamped with B/.3.00.
Voluntary return letter
Sign in to check this route against your profileWrite a letter to the Director General asking for voluntary return and giving your reason for travel.
Official wording
A letter to the Director General asking for voluntary return and giving your reason for travel.
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