News

Panama has eliminated the stamped visa requirement for citizens of the Dominican Republic, making short-term travel between the two countries easier.

The change was established through Executive Decree No. 12 of June 30, 2026, published in Panama’s Official Gazette. The decree removes the Dominican Republic from the list of countries whose citizens needed a visa authorized by a Panamanian consul before entering Panama.

Dominican travelers may now enter Panama as tourists without completing the stamped visa process. Under Panama’s tourism rules, visitors may stay in the country for up to 90 days for leisure or recreational purposes.

The decision follows a technical and security review by Panamanian authorities. According to the decree, the review found that there were no longer sufficient reasons to maintain the requirement. The document also refers to the strong diplomatic and commercial relationship between Panama and the Dominican Republic.

The timing is important for Panama’s tourism sector. In the first quarter of 2026, the country received 999,934 international visitors, a 17.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Visitor activity generated more than B/.2 billion in economic circulation during those three months.

For Dominican travelers, the change can make Panama more accessible for shopping, medical visits, family trips, short vacations, business meetings, conventions, and weekend stays.

The Dominican Republic is also an important commercial partner. Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries reported that Panamanian exports to the Dominican market, including activity through the Colon Free Zone, surpassed $500 million in 2025.

Commerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó described the relationship with the Dominican Republic as strategic during Dominican Republic Week in Panama 2026. He said the existing commercial agreement between both countries should be updated to strengthen exchange and create new opportunities.

The visa change fits into that wider relationship. It reduces travel friction with a nearby Caribbean market that already has trade, cultural, and business ties with Panama.

For hotels, restaurants, retailers, medical providers, event organizers, transportation companies, and short-stay accommodations, the impact will depend on how quickly Dominican travel demand responds. But the policy makes short visits easier, and in regional travel, convenience matters.

The measure will not transform Panama’s tourism sector on its own. But it can help strengthen a corridor that already makes sense: Dominican travelers looking to Panama for services, shopping, events, medical care, and urban tourism, and Panamanian companies looking toward a Caribbean market with room to grow.

5 Things You Should Know

1. Do Dominican citizens still need a stamped visa to visit Panama? No. Panama eliminated the stamped visa requirement for citizens of the Dominican Republic through Executive Decree No. 12 of June 30, 2026.

2. When did the change take effect? The decree took effect immediately after its publication in Panama’s Official Gazette.

3. How long can Dominican tourists stay in Panama? Dominican visitors may stay in Panama for up to 90 days for leisure or recreational purposes.

4. Why did Panama remove the requirement? Panamanian authorities conducted a technical and security review and concluded that there were no longer sufficient reasons to maintain the restriction.

5. Why does this matter for Panama? The change can support tourism, business travel, shopping, medical visits, events, and stronger commercial ties with the Dominican Republic.