Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Panama is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Panamanian citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States, including a trip to Manhattan. An ESTA is not available. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate before booking. This site does not issue visas.
What the visa status means
Panama is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a B-2 visitor visa is required for a holiday in the United States, including New York City. An ESTA is not available to Panamanian passport holders. The visa is applied for in advance, not at the airport, and it is issued by a US embassy or consulate, not by this site.
Before you fly and on arrival
Apply early enough that the passport with the visa is back before booking anything that cannot be changed. At John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia or Newark Liberty, Customs and Border Protection officers check the passport, the visa and the purpose of the trip. Answer questions briefly and honestly, and allow time between landing and the first Manhattan appointment. Peak hours bring queues.
Staying in Manhattan
Carry a hotel confirmation that shows the Manhattan address and the nights booked, because officers may ask where you are staying. A return or onward ticket and a rough plan for the days help. The airports connect to Manhattan by public transport, taxi or ride app, depending on budget, luggage and the hour. Keep a copy on the phone and on paper.
Longer stays, work or study
A holiday visa does not cover work, study or a stay beyond the period granted at the border. Employment, academic programs, internships and relocations each have their own visa categories with their own requirements and paperwork. Check travel.state.gov for the category that matches the trip, and apply well ahead. Rules change, so confirm the category on the official site before planning.
Documents and trip paperwork
Keep the embassy paperwork together with the travel booking, so the file is ready at the airport and at the hotel desk. Officers and hotel staff may ask for an address, a date of return and proof of what funds the trip. Copies are useful, and a phone screenshot is not a substitute for the passport itself. Store everything where you can reach it quickly after a long flight.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the online DS-160 form with the passport at hand and save the confirmation.
- Pay the application fee on the official route, then keep the receipt.
- Book an interview at a US embassy or consulate before the trip.
- Attend the interview with the passport, the DS-160 confirmation and supporting documents.
- Wait for the passport to come back with the visa, then check details.
- Fly to New York and show the passport and visa to border officers.
Documents to carry
- Passport with the B-2 visa inside
- DS-160 confirmation page and appointment record
- Hotel booking with the Manhattan address and dates
- Return ticket and proof of ties to Panama
Panamanian citizens: questions
Do Panamanian citizens need a visa for Manhattan?
Yes. Panama is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Panamanian citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States. An ESTA is not available. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Can Panamanian citizens travel on an ESTA?
No. The ESTA system is for Visa Waiver Program countries, and Panama is not one of them. A Panamanian passport holder cannot use an ESTA for a holiday, a business visit or transit. The route is a B-2 visitor visa, applied for before travel.
Where do Panamanian citizens apply for the visa?
At a US embassy or consulate, using the online DS-160 form and then booking an interview. Applicants normally apply in the country where they live, so most use the embassy in Panama City, though other posts can be chosen where rules allow. Confirm details on travel.state.gov.
How early should Panamanian citizens apply before a Manhattan trip?
Apply well ahead of the travel dates. Interview appointments and passport return take time, and the wait varies by post and season. Book refundable flights and rooms only after the passport with the visa is in hand, and check appointment availability on the embassy site.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.