U.S. Embassy in Panama: Tourist Visa Appointments Continue Normally Despite Immigrant Visa Pause

The U.S. Embassy in Panama City has clarified that tourist visa appointments and other nonimmigrant services — including B1/B2 business visas — continue normally, despite the Trump administration’s pause on immigrant visa processing for certain countries.

If you hold a U.S. tourist visa appointment in Panama City, keep it. The embassy clarified on Friday that nonimmigrant visa services are running as normal — the pause ordered by Washington applies to immigrant visas for specific countries, not to tourism or business travel.

What the Embassy Actually Said

In a public clarification reported Friday by La Estrella de Panamá, the U.S. Embassy in Panama City stated that appointments for nonimmigrant visas are proceeding normally.

The statement targets a wave of confusion among applicants who feared that Washington’s January pause on immigrant visas for certain nationalities had spilled over into tourist and business travel.

Pause vs. Normal Service: The Difference

The pause, in effect since January 21, 2026, concerns immigrant visas — the category for people moving permanently to the United States — for nationals of a list of countries that includes Colombia.

Nonimmigrant visas are a separate track: B1/B2 visitor visas for tourism and business, student visas, work visas and transit visas are not covered by the pause, and interviews in Panama City continue on schedule.

Why It Matters for Expats in Panama

Panama hosts one of Latin America’s largest expat communities, and many residents — Panamanian and foreign — travel regularly to the United States for family, business and healthcare.

The rumor that ‘visas are suspended’ had begun to trigger cancellations and panic in expat forums; the embassy’s clarification restores the practical status quo: if your appointment is booked, show up.

For Colombians and Other Affected Nationals

For nationals of countries on the pause list, the distinction is crucial: immigrant visa cases may be frozen, but applying for or renewing a B1/B2 tourist visa remains possible.

Consular officers continue to adjudicate nonimmigrant applications individually; a pause on immigrant visas does not change the legal standard for visitor visas.

What to Do Now

Applicants with scheduled tourist visa appointments should attend as planned and bring the standard documentation: DS-160 confirmation, passport, photo and supporting evidence of ties and funds.

For the latest service status, the embassy directs the public to pa.usembassy.gov — and warns against paying intermediaries who claim appointments have been cancelled or can be ‘rescued’ for a fee.

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