Panamanian citizens need a Tanzania e-Visa to enter Tanzania. The tourist single-entry e-Visa costs USD 50 (Tanzania prices all fees in USD, the same currency Panama uses), processing takes 3-10 business days, and the entire application is handled online at eservices.immigration.go.tz. No embassy visit is required.
Do Panamanian Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes. Panamanian passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Tanzania. Panama is eligible for the Tanzania e-Visa program, and Panamanian nationals can apply entirely online without visiting any embassy.
Tanzania does not have a resident embassy in Panama. The nearest Tanzanian diplomatic mission for Panamanian citizens is in Washington D.C. or via the online e-Visa system — which covers all nationalities. For tourist and business visits, the e-Visa is the standard and most practical option.
Panama uses the US dollar (USD) as its primary currency alongside the Balboa, which means Panamanian travellers pay the USD 50 e-Visa fee at face value with no currency conversion needed — a practical advantage shared with very few other nationalities.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Panamanian Citizens
- Valid Panamanian passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended departure from Tanzania, at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent passport-size digital photo (white background, colour, JPEG format, taken within last 6 months)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Tanzania (hotel/lodge booking or host's invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement showing USD 500 minimum recommended)
- Travel itinerary for your stay in Tanzania
- Valid email address for receiving the e-Visa approval
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Panamanian Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 |
| Transit | USD 30 |
Panama officially uses the US dollar (USD), so the Tanzania e-Visa fee is straightforward with no currency conversion. Payment is by credit or debit card on the official portal.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Go to the official portal — Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account — Register with your email address
- Start a new application — Select "Tourist e-Visa" and Panama as your nationality
- Enter your details — Fill in your name, date of birth, and passport number exactly as on your Panamanian passport
- Upload documents — Passport bio-data page, digital photo, hotel booking, and flight ticket
- Review your application — Check all entries for accuracy before submitting
- Pay USD 50 — By Visa, Mastercard, or other accepted card
- Save your reference number — Received by email immediately
- Wait for approval — 3-10 business days
- Download and print the e-Visa — Present at the Tanzania port of entry alongside your Panamanian passport
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the issue date, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Panamanian Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online before travel | At the airport on arrival |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Processing | 3-10 days | 30-90 mins at the counter |
| Available at | All entry points | Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports |
| Recommended | Yes | Backup option |
Panama-Specific Travel Notes
Airlines from Panama to Tanzania: There are no direct flights from Panama City to Tanzania. Common routing from Tocumen International Airport (PTY):
- Copa Airlines to Miami (MIA) or Bogotá (BOG), then Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD) to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) — approximately 22-26 hours total
- Copa Airlines to Miami, then Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) — approximately 24-27 hours total
- Copa Airlines to São Paulo (GRU) or Madrid (MAD), then Ethiopian Airlines or Kenya Airways connection
Currency: Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), though USD is widely accepted for tourist transactions. As a Panamanian traveller, you are already comfortable handling USD — bring USD cash for Tanzania. ATMs in Dar es Salaam and Arusha dispense TZS.
Tanzania has no embassy in Panama. All visa matters are handled via the online e-Visa portal. In case of emergency in Tanzania, Panamanian citizens should contact the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam (through consular sharing arrangements) or the Panamanian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, which covers Tanzania.
Popular Tanzania destinations: Serengeti safaris, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar beaches. Many Panamanian travellers combine Tanzania with a Kenya safari, given both can be accessed from the same region.