The government of Panama has ended the COVID-19 national state
of emergency effective July 23, 2024. As a result, the
COVID-19-related concession that allowed foreign nationals seeking
to apply for SEM Visas to exceptionally register with immigration
authorities while abroad (where this typically requires in-country
process) and apply for the visa without submitting the required
Panamanian health certificate, insurance policy documents and proof
of domicile in Panama and submit these documents later, has ended.
Effective immediately, all foreign nationals and their dependents
seeking to apply for SEM Visas are required to register in person
with the National Immigration Service, obtain a Panamanian medical
certificate, and obtain insurance policies in Panama before they
can submit their SEM Visa applications. The change could be
cumbersome for SEM Visa applicants who were planning on applying
from abroad and only traveling to Panama later or once the visa was
approved.
