PANAMA RESIDENCY OPTIONS

OBTAIN A PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA IN PANAMA

Obtain a Permanent Residency Visa in Panama

REQUIREMENTS AND CHECK LIST - IMMIGRATION PERMITS

Non-resident

Tourist Visa Application.
Tourist Visa Extension Request.
Extension Request for Change of Immigration Category.
Seaman Visa Application.
Application for a Passerby or Casual Workers Visa.
Domestic Workers Visa Application.
Show Visa Application.
Short Stay Visa Application.
Short Stay Business Visa Application.
Application for a Short Stay Visa to Visit Relatives.
Short Stay Visa Application for Researchers and Scientists.
Application for a Short Stay Visa for Medical Treatment.
Request for a Short Stay Visa as Merchants and Investors by Special Laws.
Short Stay Visa Application for International Humanitarian Assistance.
Application for a Short Stay Visa for the Banking Sector.
Visa Application for Passengers and Crew Members of Ships for Recreational or Tourism Purposes.
Visa Extension Application for Passengers or Crewmembers in Transit.
Application for Transitional Workers or Casual Workers - Artists.
Multiple Visa Application.

Permanent resident - Obtain a Permanent Residency Visa in Panama

For economical reasons:

Macro-Company Investor.
Economic Solvency for Opening a Fixed Term Deposit.
Economic Solvency for Investment in Real Estate.
Economic Solvency for Mixed Investment (Fixed Term Deposit and Real Estate).
Special Policies:
Retired Rentista.
Retired Pensioner.
Forest Investor.
Investor of the Panama Pacific Economic Area.
Worker Permit for the Panama Pacific Area, within ten percent (10%) of the ordinary workers of a company, developer or operator.
Investor in Processing Zones for export.
Investor of Call Center for commercial use (Call Center) for export.
Foreigner from the Fulbright Educational and Cultural Exchange Program.

Demographic reasons:

Family Reunification as Married to National.
Family Reunification Dependent on Permanent Resident.
Family Reunification as a Foreigner with Panamanian Children.
By Special Laws:
Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the Republic of Panama and the Republic of Italy.
National Foreigners of Specific Countries that maintain Friendly, Professional, Economic and Investment Relations with the Republic of Panama.
As a Professional Foreigner.
As Diplomat and Members of International Organizations of countries that maintain friendly diplomatic relations with the Republic of Panama, who have ceased to render their services in their respective positions.

Temporary resident

Labor Reasons:

Foreigner hired by the National Government or Autonomous or Semi-autonomous entities.
Foreigner hired by companies under contract with the Government.
Foreigner hired as an Executive in companies in the Colon Free Zone.
Alien Paid from Abroad who do not have Diplomatic Status.
Foreign personnel hired by private companies within 10% of ordinary personnel.
Foreign Personnel hired as an expert or Technician within 15% of ordinary personnel.
Personnel hired as a correspondent for the international written, radio or television press and paid abroad.
Foreigner hired by companies under the Marrakesh Agreement.
As a Sports Professional.
As an employee of Aviation companies based in the Republic of Panama.

Investment Reasons:

Agricultural Investor.
Forest Investor.
Special Policies:
Foreigner hired by companies in the Cinematographic and Audiovisual industry.
Researcher at the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
Teacher at the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
Businessman or Executive of the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
Technician of the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
Student of the Ciudad del Saber Foundation.
Foreigner Hired by the Panama Canal Authority.
Employee of a Company Subcontractor under contract with the ACP.
Worker of the Panama - Pacific Area in favor of foreigners hired by companies of the Panama - Pacific Area, the developer, the operator or the agency, to work as personnel specialized in technical aspects and / or in matters of administrative management, in a percentage that exceeds fifteen percent (15%) of ordinary workers.
Workers of the Panama - Pacific Area in favor of foreigners who work at the service of companies that have less than ten workers.
Worker hired in positions of trust, executives, experts and / or technicians in companies within free zones.
Worker hired in positions of trust, executives, experts and / or technicians in call center companies for commercial use for export "Call Center".
Permission of personnel hired as executive of international companies whose functions take effect abroad.
Worker hired by the headquarters of multinational companies.

Reasons for Education:

Temporary Permit for Educational Reasons.
Temporary Resident as a participant in educational programs of non-profit entities approved by the Ministry of Education.
Religious reasons:
As a religious at the service of the Catholic And Orthodox Church.
As a lay missionary at the service of the Catholic and Orthodox Church.
As a student to be a religious of the Catholic and Orthodox Church.
As authorities, ministers, rabbis, pastors, leaders or religious of other denominations or religious associations.
Family Reunification:

Temporary Resident Permit for Family Reunification

Others

Requirements to request a Voluntary Return
Requirements for vehicle exemptions within the Special Projects Department
Dominican Control Sheet - Cuba - Venezuela - China - India
Requirements and Application for Family Reunification (Venezuelans)
Requirements for the Tourist Visa in Transit
Application for a Tourist Visa in Transit for Haitian Citizens
Requirements for Refugee Procedures
Immigration Visas in Panama
This note outlines the main characteristics of the immigration system in Panama. For those seeking to retire, invest or work in a politically stable, secure environment, Panama offers an attractive solution through a variety of immigration visas.
Background
For the past decade, the Panamanian Government has been updating and enhancing the immigration system through the introduction of new visa options. These have been specifically designed to promote and further expand foreign investment in Panama to compliment the growing local economy and allow foreign investors, migrating retirees and foreign workers (and their families) to obtain temporary or permanent residency, work permits and, in some cases, Panamanian citizenship.
Many foreign investors and multinational companies have already seized the opportunity to participate in a plethora of industries including reforestation, manufacturing, distribution, financial services, IT and software development and call center's.
The Types of Visas available in Panama
Tourist Visa
Subject to any restrictions from your home jurisdiction, it is possible to visit Panama on an extendable 180 day tourist visa, noting that the recipient would not be permitted to work.
Friendly Nations Visa
The nationals of more than 45 countries are eligible for this visa based on the understanding that these countries maintain friendly economic, professional, and investment relations with Panama. Some of the core friendly nations included in the list are: Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Spain, United States, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, France, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Singapore, Uruguay, Switzerland, Chile and Sweden.
This visa has several requirements that must be satisfied, with arguably the most important being the need to establish either a professional or economic relationship in Panama. This can be achieved by establishing a new corporation or business, or by acquiring an existing Panamanian corporation or business. Alternatively, an individual may satisfy the requirement simply by being an employee of a Panamanian corporation or business. Proof of economic solvency of the individual and any dependents will need to be clearly demonstrated on the visa application.
Panama retiree/pensioner Visa
This visa applies to foreigners who receive income from a retirement scheme or pension from a foreign government, international organization or private company that wish to move to Panama to retire. The retiree must be able to demonstrate that he has sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses in Panama. Income or monthly pension of less than US$1,000.00 would not be deemed acceptable by the local authorities.
Professional Employment Visa
A foreign national may apply for this visa provided that their profession is not limited by the Constitution or by law to Panamanian nationals by birth or naturalization. Two of the main requirements are to provide proof of a university bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree and employment with a local Panamanian company or business.
Panama self-economic solvency visa
The foreigner must invest a minimum of US$ 300,000.00 in Panama either by investing in Panamanian real estate or through a deposit with a local bank account. It is possible to do a combination of the two.
Macro Business Investor Visa
The foreigner shall invest a minimum of US$160,000.00 in a Panamanian company or business and must be a shareholder and a director. The company must have a Commercial Operation Permit, have at least five (5) Panamanian employees working full time (with the related salaries not falling below the minimum salary established by the Labor Law).
Panama's reforestation investor visa
A foreigner may seek permanent residency as a 'forest' investor. The foreigner may invest personally or through a corporation whose main activities shall be reforestation, forest plantation activities or other activities authorized by the National Environmental Authority in Panama. Furthermore, there must be a minimum investment of US$80,000 and in an area not less than five (5) hectares.
Other type of visas
There are other circumstances which enable foreign investors or workers to apply for a permanent residency visa in Panama, such as:
- Investors establishing call centers;
- Investors in the cinematographic and audio-visual industry;
- Investors in economic areas of Panama Pacifico and export processing zones; and
- Employed of the Panama Canal Authority.
Documents and requirements
It is very important the documents are delivered the way the immigration office request .
Panama immigration law has not yet been codified. There are different laws and decrees that regulate the different types of visas. Some laws allow permanent residence after a specified period of time as a temporary resident. This is determined according to each particular circumstance or size/type of investment.
Since the majority of the Panamanian immigration laws and regulations have been adopted at different times and for diverse purposes, there is no uniformity with regard to approach, requirements and the documentation needed to make an application. Therefore it is recommended that experienced local advice be sought prior to commencing any visa application.
Advantages of living in Panama
Strong and Growing Economy Panama enjoys a good macroeconomic environment, which is consistently growing and developing. Panama's currency is pegged to the US Dollar and enjoys low inflation. Many multinationals and international banks have established operations in Panama including Procter and Gamble, Caterpillar, Cemex, Dell, DHL Express, Samsung and Phillips.
Stability and Security Panama is regarded as one of the safest countries in Latin America. It is a Republic and has an established democratic system.
Climate Panama enjoys a temperate climate with warm weather all year round.
Territorial Tax System Panama is known for applying the territorial principle of taxation, which means that no taxes are levied on foreign source of income, capital gains, inheritance taxes. This can be attractive for foreign persons and companies moving to Panama. Panama has entered into Double Taxation Treaties with Mexico, United Kingdom, Barbados, Qatar, Spain, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Singapore, France, South Korea, Portugal and Ireland.
Multicultural Panama is an open and cosmopolitan society that welcomes foreign residents and visitors alike.
Tourism Panama is witnessing a significant increase in the number of tourists per year. Tourists can enjoy the vibrant Panama City, the peaceful Caribbean and Atlantic coasts, or the beauty of rainforests and associated wildlife.
Strategic Geographical Position Panama connects North and South America and because of its privileged geographical position the country has been the location and passageway of goods and individuals from all over the world for more than 100 years. Currently US$5 billion is being spent on expanding the famous Panama Canal.
Affordability Various recent studies have rated Panama as one of the up and coming places to live in the World. This is determined upon geographical location, standard of health care, availability of and goods and services and the cost of living.