Panama’s National Passport Office has activated an express service that delivers new passports in approximately one hour. The service began this Monday at a dedicated office inside Tocumen International Airport. This initiative aims to assist travelers with urgent document needs directly at the country’s main air terminal.
Authorities confirmed the expedited process comes with an additional fee of 75 balboas. This cost is separate from the standard passport fee, which remains 100 balboas for regular applicants and 50 balboas for retirees. The express desk operates within the existing passport office located on the airport’s third level, providing a rapid solution for last-minute travel emergencies or document replacements.
Official Announcement and Service Details
The National Passport Authority made the announcement through its official social media channels. It detailed the operational specifics of the new high-speed option now available to the public. This service represents a significant reduction from the standard processing time, which can take several business days for completion under normal circumstances.
“The Authority communicates that starting this Monday the express processing service has been enabled at the headquarters located in the Tocumen International Airport,” the National Passport Office stated. [Translated from Spanish] The agency further clarified the one-hour turnaround and the associated cost for this premium convenience.
Officials designed the service specifically for situations where travelers discover an issue with their Panamanian passport shortly before a scheduled flight. It also serves citizens who need to travel internationally on very short notice due to family emergencies or unexpected business. The location within the airport’s main terminal makes it highly accessible for those already en route to their departure gate.
Immediate Impact and Operational Context
Travelers have already begun using the express lane during its first days of operation. The service requires applicants to present all standard documentation alongside the supplemental fee. It streamlines the entire procedure from application to biometric data collection and final production.
This launch occurs amid broader government efforts to modernize citizen services. The passport office has been working to integrate more digital processes, including this service for identity verification. The express option adds a critical physical service point at the nation’s most important travel hub.
Security remains a priority at the airport facility. The new passport office operates in a terminal where authorities recently addressed security concerns, as aeropuerto internacional management confirmed staff involvement in illicit activities earlier this year. This express service provides a controlled, official channel for urgent document issuance.
Trámite exprés en la sede regional del Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, a partir de este lunes 24 de noviembre en horario regular de 8:00 am a 3:00 p.m.#ConPasoFirme🇵🇦🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/mqUVVV8zUx
— Autoridad de Pasaportes (@PasaportePma) November 23, 2025