IMMIGRATION LAW
Residence Permits, including but not limited to:
Jubilado / Pensionado Visa
Foreigner receiving retirement or pension from a foreign government, international agency or private company.
The monthly pension cannot be less than $1,000.00 and must be granted for life.
You obtain permanent residence in six months.
Friendly Nations Visa
Nationals from 50 countries can apply for this visa, choosing one of these options:
a). For work reasons: Hired by a company in Panama, for a salary not less than $850.00.
b). For investment reasons in real estate: acquisition of real estate for a value not less than $200,000.00.
c). For Fixed Term Deposit Reasons: Minimum validity of three years and for a value not less than $200,000.00.
All of the options allow you to obtain Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
List Of Friendly Nations
Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Estonia, Spain, United States of America, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Republic Of Ireland, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay.
Panama Italy Agreement
Foreigner of Italian nationality who wishes to establish their residence indefinitely in our country. You obtain permanent residence in six months.
Forest Investments
a) This option offers a Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence by investing a minimum of $100,000 in a qualified reforestation investment approved by the government in Panama. The investment must be held for a period of five years to maintain residency.
b) This option offers an expedited thirty day route to obtain Permanent Residence status by investing a minimum of $350,000 in a qualified reforestation investment approved by the government in Panama. The investment must be held for a period of five years to maintain residency.
Foreign Professional
You must have a Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degree (in careers that are not reserved for Panamanian nationals), and go through the Revalidation approval process before national authorities. You don’t have to do the Revalidation approval process if your degree is from Panama.
This option allows you to obtain Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
Self-Economic Solvency
a). Investing the minimum sum of $300,000.00 in fixed-term deposit assets, demonstrating that the funds come from abroad.
b). Investing the minimum sum of 300,000.00 in real estate, demonstrating that the funds come from abroad.
Both options allow you to obtain Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
10% and 15% quota
Foreigner hired by a company as an expert or technician, earning a salary not less than $850.00 per month.
This option offers a Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
Marrakech Agreement
Foreigner hired by a company with less than ten Panamanian workers, earning a salary of no less than $1,000.00 per month.
This Permission will be for annual periods up to a total of six years.
Married to a Panamanian Citizen
Foreigner who has married a Panamanian national can apply for this visa.
This option offers a Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
Authorities, Ministers, Rabbins, Pastors, Leaders or Religious of other Nominations or Religious Associations
Foreigners who belong to churches, missions or religious communities, duly recognized by the Ministry of Government and Justice and registered with the Public Registry from Panama.
This option offers a Temporary Residence for a period of two years, and then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
Special policies city of knowledge
Teacher, student, researcher, businessman, executive or technician working or staying in the city of knowledge foundation.
Family Reagroup
Foreign spouses, children under 18 years of age, relatives with disabilities and parents dependents of a two year provisional resident, permanent resident or national.
This option offers a Temporary Residence for a period of two years, then you can apply for the status of Permanent Residence.
Citizenship
You can obtain Panamanian citizenship with one of the following options:
- Having five consecutive years of residence in the territory of Panama, expressly declaring their desire to renounce their nationality of origin or the one they have and prove that they know Spanish and basics of Panamanian geography, history and political organization.
- Having three consecutive years of residence in the territory of Panama who have children born in it, to a Panamanian father or mother or a spouse of Panamanian nationality.
- Nationals by birth, of Spain or certain Latin American countries can apply in a shorter period of time. As follows:
One year: Colombia, El Salvador
Two years: Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, México, Nicaragua, Perú
Three years: Uruguay
