Panama City, Panama – The National Migration Service opened a registration window for Venezuelan citizens currently in Panama. These individuals can now apply for a program to return voluntarily to Venezuela. The deadline for applications is May 13.
Officials confirmed the process on Monday. Venezuelans must visit any Panama National Migration Service office nationwide to begin their orientation and registration. A dedicated phone line is also available for inquiries about requirements and procedures.
Documentation and Process for Applicants
Applicants need specific documents to qualify. They must present a valid passport, a safe-conduct pass, or their Venezuelan national identity card. Those traveling with family members must provide accompanying documentation for each relative.
What happens to people without valid papers? The agency stated they will stay temporarily in migration shelters. Officials will process their safe-conduct documents there. They will also coordinate the commercial airline ticket needed for the return trip.
Official Statement on the Voluntary Return Program
“Interested parties have until May 13 to complete the required registration and formalize their request before Panamanian migration authorities,” the National Migration Service said in an official statement. [Translated from Spanish]
The entire relocation cost is covered. Authorities confirmed this funding comes from the Memorandum of Understanding on Migration between Panama and the United States. This bilateral agreement aims to promote orderly, safe, and regular migration across the region.
Regional Context and Next Steps
This announcement arrives amid broader regional efforts to manage migration flows. Governments are working to establish assistance mechanisms for citizens who want to go home. The Voluntary Return Program represents one tool in that strategy.
Venezuelan migrants in Panama now have a clear path forward. They can visit migration offices, call the hotline, or wait at designated shelters. The clock is ticking toward the May 13 cutoff. Thousands of Venezuelans currently reside in Panama. Many have expressed interest in returning home under these conditions.
The agency stressed that no one will be forced to participate. This is a voluntary process for those who choose it. Officials will process applications on a first-come, first-served basis. They warned that spaces on commercial flights may be limited.
Panama has seen significant Venezuelan migration in recent years. The country serves as both a destination and a transit point. This program offers a structured alternative for those who wish to leave. It provides documentation support and fully funded travel.
Interested individuals should act quickly. The registration period runs for several weeks. After May 13, no new applications will be accepted under this current program window. Officials did not immediately confirm whether future registration periods would open.