U.S. Embassy in Panama Continues Tourist Visa Services Amid Immigrant Visa Pause

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The U.S. Embassy in Panama City clarified that nonimmigrant visa services, including B1/B2 tourist and business visas, continued as scheduled following public confusion regarding a broader policy shift. Since January 21, 2026, the Trump administration has enforced a pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of specific countries, including Colombia. The embassy confirmed that this restrictive order does not apply to nonimmigrant categories, such as student or visitor visas, which remain unaffected by the policy. This clarification addressed widespread anxiety among the local expat and travel communities regarding the status of their upcoming consular appointments.

Consequences

Travelers with existing appointments are expected to proceed with their scheduled interviews as planned to maintain their visa status. The embassy's notification serves to mitigate potential service disruptions caused by false rumors and prevents applicants from seeking unnecessary assistance from unauthorized third-party intermediaries.

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