Panama Immigration, Residency & Relocation Document Guide

Panama Immigration, Residency & Relocation Document Guide

I. Immigration to Panama – Document Requirements

General Requirements for Each Adult Applicant

Scheduling Appointments
Clients must contact our law office at least 30 days in advance to schedule an appointment and coordinate document requirements.
Processing Time: Allow 7 to 9 business days in Panama City for immigration procedures.

Document Validity
All official documents must be issued within 90 days (3 months) of the application date.

Document Authentication
Documents must be either:

• Apostilled (preferred), or

• Authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of issue.
  All documents must be translated into English, if not already.

Document Submission for Review
Send all scanned documents to our law office via email or fax at least 30 days before your arrival in Panama for pre-approval.

Dual Nationalities
If you hold multiple passports, enter Panama using the same passport you intend to use for immigration. All personal documents (e.g., police report) must be from the same country as the passport used.

Checklist for Adults

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity upon entry)

• Second ID (driver’s license or national ID card)

• Marriage certificate (if applicable), apostilled

• Address in Panama (we can provide one if you don’t have it)

• Utility bill in your name (we can assist if you don’t have one)

• Passport-sized photos (to be taken in Panama)

• Health certificate from Panama (we handle this)

• Birth certificate, apostilled

• Police clearance (no older than 3 months), apostilled and translated to English (if not in Spanish)

Checklist for Children

• Valid passport

• Birth certificate, apostilled and translated to English

• Second ID (e.g., student card with photo)

II. Opening a Bank Account in Panama

Required Documents

• Copy of passport (photo page + Panama entry stamp)

• Second ID (e.g., driver’s license)

• One or two bank reference letters

• Proof of income (tax returns, financial statements, or employer letter)

• Professional reference letter (lawyer, accountant, etc.)

• Utility bill with your residential address

• All documents must be dated within the last 3 months

Additional Notes

• Each bank may have its own specific forms and requirements.

• If applying with an immigration visa, provide a copy of your visa and ID card (carnet).

• If opening a business account, supply company tax returns from the last two years.

• All documents must be translated into Spanish by an authorized Panamanian translator.

• Tax documents must be certified.
  We can assist with translations and certifications while you are in Panama.

III. Enrolling Children in School in Panama

For Pre-Kinder, Kinder, and 1st Grade

No validation of prior academic records required.

General Requirements

• Birth certificate (apostilled and re-certified in Panama)

• Legal status (student visa or immigration proof)

• Academic transcripts & report cards from previous school(s)

  • Must be certified by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of origin

  • Certified by Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations and Ministry of Education (MEDUCA)

• Spanish translation by authorized translator

• Health certificate with vaccination record and blood type

• Placement and psychological tests (conducted by the school)

• Copy of passport

• 2 passport-sized photos

Panama School Calendar

Note: Some international schools may follow a different academic calendar (August–May).

IV. Enrolling in a Panamanian University

• High school diploma and transcripts must be:

  • Authenticated by Panama Consulate in the country of origin

  • Re-certified by Panama's Ministry of Foreign Relations and Ministry of Education (MEDUCA)

  • Translated into Spanish by certified public translator

• Proof of legal status or student visa required

• University may require admission and placement tests

• If applying with college credits, submit transcripts and validate accordingly

• Failed admissions tests do not disqualify—documents will be kept for 5 years

V. Getting a Driver’s License in Panama

For Foreign Nationals (Categories A, B, C, D Only)

Required Documents:

• Foreign driver’s license (valid, original + copy)

• Certification of license from the issuing authority (stamped and signed)

• Apostille or authentication via Panamanian consulate/diplomatic route

• Valid passport (original + copy)

• Immigration card (original + copy)

• Certified blood type (unless indicated on your license)

• Pass vision and hearing tests at a SERTRACEN branch

• Proof of legal status in Panama

• Fee: $40, includes all validations

Options for License Certification

1. Diplomatic Certification

   • From the embassy or consulate in Panama

   • Must include full passport details, license number, issue country, and vehicle categories (if applicable)

2. Apostilled License

   • Certification from issuing authority

   • Apostilled in country of origin

3. Consular Endorsement

   • Certification from license authority

   • Authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

   • Certified at Panamanian Consulate

   • Re-authenticated by Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Important Notes

• Names must match exactly across all documents.

• All documents must be in good condition.

• Non-Spanish documents must be translated by an authorized translator in Panama.