Guide to your appointment at the Panamanian Embassy in Cuba

If you have an appointment to apply for a visa stamped on the Embassy of the Republic of Panama in Cuba, you should review the following aspects because we guarantee the most complete and detailed explanation so that you do not make the same mistakes that others may have made before.

You can certainly apply for your visa without reviewing the following material, but it doesn't hurt to keep these aspects in mind. If ignored, they could invalidate your visa application or make you appear nervous or tense on that important day.

We'll speak to you the same way the staff who greet you on the day of your appointment does, so please pay close attention.

After the greeting, the consular assistant will welcome you to "Little Panama" (please note that although the embassy is located in Havana, once you pass the embassy perimeter you are already in the official territory of another country, in this case Panama. Therefore, you should be respectful and understand that there are standards of behavior and respect there that may differ slightly from those to which you are accustomed).

He will then explain that since it is still early in the morning, he will give a brief explanation in public so that you can organize your documents and even go outside and correct any in case there is a mistake and you need to reprint a document outside the embassy.

If you have all your paperwork in order, the interview won't take more than 4 minutes. However, if your documents are disorganized, you have missing papers, etc., the entire process can become more complicated, and you may even lose your visa.

What is the order in which you should submit the documents, as instructed by the consular advisor? Let's see (please note that the papers should not be stapled, only the bank certification will be accepted stapled as it consists of several pages, but even if they are not stapled it is better):

1. Proof of your scheduled appointment (the printed sheet you received on the day you made your appointment, which includes an appointment number, the date, your full name, and your passport number.
2. Correctly completed application form (we will explain how to do this later)
3. Personal visa application letter, duly signed by you (we will explain how to do this later)
4. Photocopies of your passport (we will explain how to do this later)
5. Photocopy of your identity card
6. Proof of financial solvency that you have brought with you (usually a bank statement or voucher, etc.)

The interview will take no more than 4 minutes if all the documentation is in order.

Let's look at some of the most common mistakesunes:

1. The appointment receipt doesn't match the current date. (If your receipt indicates your appointment is on December 9th, you must show up on that day and no later, or before or after that date, as you won't be seen.)
2. The name on your national ID card or passport doesn't match the one on the receipt. (If your passport and name don't match the information on the receipt, the appointment will be cancelled. For example: Your name is Maria and the receipt shows Juana's name. ó Your passport number is J672889 and the receipt shows a completely different number. However, if your passport number or name contains a slight error due to haste in completing the application digitally, immigration authorities may decide to accept your application. For example: Her name is Maria, but the receipt shows Mariaa, Maria, Marís, etc. In any case, you are not in a position to demand anything; it will depend on what the diplomatic staff values, and therefore the best advice is to be very careful when filling out the appointment request form to avoid these difficulties.
3. The receipt does not have an appointment number (If you do not have an appointment number, it is very likely that the system has not registered your request correctly, and therefore you do not have an appointment, you will not be served).
4. Forgetting your ID or passport on the day of your appointment (Even if you bring these documents photocopied, you must provide the original, otherwise your application will not be accepted).
5. Must be 60 CUC exact (although this is not an error in itself, you run the risk of losing your turn or leaving more money than required, since diplomatic staff do not have a cash register, and therefore are not required to give change in each case – this payment is made at the BFI).
6. It does not demonstrate your financial solvency (you can work anywhere, have one or more jobs, be employed multiple times, a state employee and also self-employed, etc. You may even be a homemaker, but receive remittances from abroad, or be supported by your professional or self-employed son, etc. Be sincere and clear when explaining this information.
7. Handwritten letters are not accepted, as if you are financially able, there is no reason not to be able to print a letter.
8. Passport photocopies must be full-size. Each printed page you bring must include four pages from your passport. You must bring two photocopies of the general information pages in your passport.
9. Valid document, if a card is expired do not try to deceive the authorities, because they know.

How to fill out the application form?

Make it as clear as possible. Keep in mind that if you pay a third party to complete your application ("the lady who lives on the corner," as the consular advisor will tell you), it's because you want to. It's a really simple procedure that you can do yourself without needing help or paying for the service.

In each field to be filled out, write the requested information, and if it does not correspond to you, simply write: not applicable. For example: If you are not married and are asked for your wife's name, simply write: not applicable.

As for the ocupaction, indicate what you do, and in the “specify” field say how you do it and where you do it.

For example:

• I am a food processor, // I work in a small pizzeria in my brother's house.
• I am a secretary // at the meat company in Santiago de Cuba

Include all relevant information. Keep in mind that the Panamanian Embassy will not question your sources of income. Instead, it's only interested in knowing your work and whether you have financial solvency.

 Example:

• I'm a secretary at such-and-such company in Santiago de Cuba. I also work as a freelancer at a hostel in the city, and my son sends me remittances from abroad. (perfect!).

If you are a housewife, declare it and then justify your financial solvency:

• I am a housewife // my husband is self-employed, and I receive remittances.

Be honest when filling out some of the fields where they ask you about the purpose of your trip. Keep in mind that the Panamanian Embassy will not question or frown upon you going shopping in their country. They know this, and that's why they implemented tourist cards and are now offering these facilities with stamped visas. Be honest:

Purpose of your trip: Tourism

Others: Go shopping

Please specify your phone numbers, both landline and cell phone (it never hurts, and sometimes a small error can be corrected, but since they have no way of locating you, your visa is cancelled).

How to write a personal visa application letter?

Essentially, it's about explaining your reasons for traveling to Panama. If you've traveled before, explain where you work, how you support yourself financially, where you'll be staying during your travels, where you'll be going... Include this information briefly in the letter, which should be printed, not handwritten, and must also be properly signed. Your signature must match the one on your identification documents.

Documents that prove your financial solvency

Please note that each bank may provide a different document, or call it differently.

Bank certification (account certificate or statement of account and debts). This is the same and must be duly signed by the bank manager and/or the legal representative.

You can also prove your financial solvency by means of a photocopy of The bank account book accompanied by a bank certificate.

We suggest that within the embassy:

1. Keep your cell phone off
2. Do not litter (there are security cameras)
3. Don't smoke, Panama is a smoke-free country, and you are in Panamanian territory, remember.

That's all, we wish you the best of luck, and we'd appreciate it if you'd like to let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

If this material was helpful to you, share this page with friends or acquaintances and help them too. Remember, you're more likely to succeed if you go through life helping others.

We will let you know when visa appointments are being offered at the Panamanian Embassy.