Panamanian Consulate General in Istanbul

Asma Nosheen

I hope this message finds you well. Please accept my sincere apologies for bothering your respected office. I am reaching out with great hope and humility to kindly seek clarification regarding the airport transit policy at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) for Pakistani passport holders. My husband, Mr. Usman Ali (Passport No. XA1829471), holds a visitor visa for the Cayman Islands, issued on 17 March 2025 and valid until 15 June 2025. The visa permits a single entry with a 30-day stay, and according to Cayman Islands immigration policy, he must enter within 90 days of issuance. Due to this limited entry window, we are urgently trying to finalize his travel arrangements. We have a confirmed onward travel plan with Cayman Airways from Panama City (PTY) to Grand Cayman (GCM). However, we are facing challenges in confirming whether a transit stay of 18 hours at PTY is permitted without a visa, provided the passenger remains inside the international transit area. We respectfully request your kind guidance on the following: Can a Pakistani passport holder with a confirmed Cayman Airways ticket transit through PTY for 18 hours without requiring a transit visa if remaining in the international transit lounge? If a visa is required, what is the correct and official process to apply for one, given that there is no Panamanian embassy or consulate in Pakistan? Are there any alternative methods (such as an online application system or submission through authorized channels) that you can recommend? We would be truly grateful if any exception or flexibility could be considered in our case. We have been trying for more than a month to finalize this travel due to strict visa requirements in nearly every country. It is very stressful for our family, especially as I am working abroad and unable to travel to Pakistan. We assure full compliance with Panamanian immigration regulations and are willing to submit any supporting documentation required. Thank you in advance for your understanding and assistance. We look forward to your response so that we may proceed with peace of mind and complete the journey within the permitted time frame