RSO Travel MatrixShare a trip

← World map

PA

Panama

Recent reports of entry without significant problems.

Based on 10 reports. Score 0.94 on a scale from −1 (always refused) to +1 (always admitted), with recent reports counting most. How scoring works

What to expect

All nine reports, dated 2023 through October 2025, describe entry with no issues, including six by air, two cruise port stops, and one layover excursion.1–9 Most air arrivals came through Tocumen International in Panama City, where travelers were stamped in, sometimes fingerprinted and photographed, with no secondary inspection or questions.4578 Two travelers filed the 21-day notice before flying directly from the US and saw no reaction, while three others arrived from Mexico or a third country.12589

Written by an AI model from the reports below on September 21, 2026. The numbers link to the reports each sentence is based on. Read those before you decide.

Law restricts entry for people with criminal records

Panama's migration service may deny entry to any foreigner who has a criminal record in their country of origin or departure. The rule covers any criminal record, not only sex offences, and applying it is discretionary.

Decreto Ley No. 3 de 22 de febrero de 2008, Art. 50 num. 4 (and Art. 51) · discretionary

We haven't confirmed this citation against the official text yet.

Last checked against official sources on September 19, 2026.

Common questions

Can registered sex offenders enter Panama?

It's rated Open: Recent reports of entry without significant problems. Of 1 trips reported in the last two years by people on a US registry, 1 ended in entry and 0 in refusal.

Do Panama's border officers know about US registrants in advance?

None of the reports on file describe officers appearing to know in advance.

How do travelers usually arrive in Panama?

Reports on file describe 7 by air, 2 by sea or cruise. Outcomes can differ by how travelers arrive; each report below says which.

Reports

Been to Panama? Share your trip
  1. 1Oct 2025 (reported)

    Admitted, no issues · By air, Panama City airport

    The traveler flew into Panama City in the evening, stayed at a hotel, and recalls no entry card or problems entering or leaving; the arrival was from Mexico rather than the US.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand

  2. 2Apr 2024 (reported)

    Admitted, no issues · By air

    While still on the registry, the traveler entered Panama after routing through a third country rather than flying directly from the United States, and believes this is why no notification blocked them.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand

  3. 3Jun 2023 (reported)

    Admitted, no issues · By sea or cruise

    On one of eleven cruises the traveler went ashore in this country with no passport check and was not turned away.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand

  4. 4Mar 2023

    Admitted, no issues · By air, Tocumen International Airport

    The traveler flew from the US into Panama City and cleared customs with no issues before boarding a cruise. They later disembarked in Cristobal, toured the city, and departed from the same airport without problems.

    RSO Travel Matrix trip report form · Traveler report · Firsthand

  5. 5Mar 2023

    Admitted, no issues · By air, Tocumen International Airport, Panama City

    The traveler flew directly from the US to Panama to start and end a cruise, having filed the 21-day travel notice well in advance. Fingerprints and a photo were taken at immigration and the passport was stamped on arrival, at the ship, and on departure, with no secondary inspection or questions.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand

  6. 6Jan 2023

    Admitted, no issues · By sea or cruise

    The traveler took a Panama Canal cruise and went ashore in this country with no problems at the port.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand

  7. 72023

    Admitted, no issues · By air, Tocumen International Airport, Panama City

    The traveler flew directly to Panama to join a cruise and passed through immigration at Tocumen without issue; on departure, passports were rescanned and carry-ons re-screened at the gate.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand

  8. 82023

    Admitted, no issues · By air, Tocumen International Airport

    The traveler flew in to join a cruise after checking with the consulate and filing the 21-day notice 30 days ahead. Immigration did not react at all, the passport was stamped on arrival, and the traveler later departed from the same airport without problems.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand

  9. 92023

    Admitted, no issues · By air

    The traveler had a half-day layover and left the airport for a river excursion with no problems; the flight originated outside the US, so no advance notification was expected.

    ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand

  10. 10By 2022

    Refused entry

    Row from the RTAG Travel Matrix, an undated summary last maintained around 2021.

    Registrants turned away
    Yes
    Law bars sex offenders
    Yes
    Law bars people with felonies
    No
    Has its own offender registry
    No

    Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG) · Legacy matrix · Summary