Panama
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Panama
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Panama based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS, Panama does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
According to the US Department of State, some HIV entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Panama. However it then states that Panamanian immigration does not require an HIV test, and the US Embassy is not aware of any US citizens who have been deported due to HIV.
Nothing in the list of documents required to request a visa, available on the website of the Embassy of Panama in Washington, suggest an HIV related restriction on entry.
Similarly, the National Migration Service of the Ministry Of Public Security of Panama has a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Under Article 50 Decree-Law No. 3 of 22 February 2008 – Creating the National Migration Service, the Migration Career and other regulations, entry or transit may be denied if someone is suffering from any disease the Ministry of Health considered a health risk. It is not clear if this could include HIV.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Panama
It is unclear whether Panama imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.
The requirements to apply for a temporary work permit for a period not exceeding three months include – among others – the presentation of a health certificate, an updated HIV test and a general medical health examination.
The National Migration Service of the Ministry Of Public Security of Panama has a number of lists of supporting documents that should be included with the visa application and some of these request a medical certificate, however it is not clear in all cases if it implies HIV testing or disclosure, however information shared by travellers suggests that it doesn’t.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Panama
It is unclear whether Panama imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
The requirements to obtain a work permit in Panama and the requirements to obtain a work permit for permanent residence don’t include any document relating to HIV or the general health of the applicant, in either case.
However, under Article 28 of Decree-Law No. 3 of 22 February 2008: ‘the application for a temporary resident or permanent resident permit […] must meet the following common requirements: […] 3. Health certificate issued by a qualified professional, within the three months prior to the submission of the application.’
Similarly, according to Article 120 of the same law, the naturalisation application requires presenting a medical certificate to the Ministry of Government and Justice.
It is not clear if these health certificates require HIV disclosure or testing, however information shared by travellers suggests that it doesn’t.
Treatment access in Panama
We did not find any available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Panama.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Panama page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
