What Happened
Panama has established a special temporary transit regime that allows Latin American migrants to remain in the country for up to 30 days while their repatriation to their home country or to a third country is coordinated. The measure was set out in Decree No. 8, published on May 13.
The rule applies to nationals of Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas that have international repatriation cooperation agreements with Panama. Those who enter the program must leave the country within the 30-day period and cannot change migration status while under the regime.
How the Regime Works
The temporary transit system is not a pathway to residency, asylum, or any other migration status. Instead, it functions as a controlled transit mechanism for people who are already part of an agreed repatriation process.
Under the decree, Panama’s Ministry of Public Security and the National Migration Service are responsible for the program. They may coordinate lodging, food, medical attention, and humanitarian assistance for the foreign nationals included in the arrangement.
To qualify, migrants must be adults, belong to an eligible Spanish-speaking country in the Americas, have no known criminal record in their country of origin, and be included on an official list agreed between Panama and the repatriation country. Women who are pregnant are excluded, and each person must enter Panama formally, receive a temporary transit certificate, and have a departure itinerary within the established deadline.
Migration Context in Panama
The decision comes amid major shifts in regional migration through Panama. Official migration figures for 2025 estimated reverse migration, meaning people returning from the north through Panama, at 22,392 migrants.
At the same time, crossings through the Darién Gap fell sharply. In 2024, more than 302,203 migrants crossed the jungle route, but in 2025 the number dropped to 3,086, a decrease of 99.1% that marked one of the steepest declines in the past decade.
During the first quarter of 2026, 92 migrants entered irregularly through Darién, including nationals from Venezuela, Ecuador, Ghana, Colombia, Bolivia, Cameroon, the United States, and other countries. Panama also deported 142 migrants and expelled another 142 during that period.
Why It Matters
The temporary transit regime gives Panama a formal legal tool to manage repatriation flows while keeping migrants in a controlled setting. It also reflects the country’s continuing role as a transit point in regional migration patterns, even as crossings through Darién have fallen dramatically.
By limiting the stay to 30 days and excluding any change of migration status, the policy reinforces Panama’s focus on organized transit and return rather than long-term settlement. The measure may also help authorities coordinate humanitarian support while reducing irregular movement through the country.