About the Panamanian Special Passport
The Special Panamanian Passport, also known as the Panama Traveler Passport or the Retired Passport, can be obtained as part of the Retired Pensionado Visa program. This visa grants the option of obtaining permanent residence in Panama, as well as this special passport, both for the applicant and the members of his immediate family according to Law 9 of 1987.
This program requires an investment in the form of a certificate of deposit (CD) for 5 years in the National Bank of Panama or in the Savings Bank. This deposit must generate a minimum monthly interest of USD $ 850.
The Panamanian Special Passport is valid for the duration of the CD for five (5) years. At the expiration of the five (5) years, the beneficiaries of this program may request an extension as long as the CD is renewed for another period of five years.
This Panamanian passport is similar to any passport issued in Panama, with the exception that it includes the original nationality of the bearer. For example, if a Chinese citizen obtains the Panamanian Special Passport, it will indicate that the passport holder is a Chinese citizen, not a Panamanian citizen.
Obtaining the Special Passport does NOT grant Panamanian citizenship. However, people with a Retired Income Tax Visa can apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years following the process to obtain citizenship. In addition, since the Retired Income Tax Visa does not grant Panamanian citizenship, it does not create conflicts for citizens of countries such as China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, or Latvia, which do not allow dual citizenship.
About the Certificate of Deposit
The CD must earn interest of at least $ 850 per month. The investment required will depend on the interest rate at the time the deposit is created. In 2019, the interest is 3 - 4% per year, therefore, the necessary amount of money is USD $ 350,000 or more.
This deposit can be renewed after 5 years, or you can choose to receive the investment and interest. However, keeping the CD open is a requirement to maintain the Private Income Retiree Visa and therefore the Special Panamanian Passport.
Requirements to apply for the Panamanian Special Passport
Once the Retired Income Tax Visa is approved, the interested party and their dependents can then apply for the Special Panamanian Passport with the following documentation:
- Power of Attorney and Application (notarized).
- Three (3) photographs.
- Properly collated copy of the passport.
- Criminal record.
- Health certificate.
- Form of Affidavit of Personal Background.
- Banking Certification from the National Bank of Panama or the Savings Bank, which certifies the amount of the fixed term, the interest it generates, its duration and that it is free of encumbrances.
- Copy authenticated by the bank of the certificate of the fixed term.
- In the case of dependents:
o Letter of responsibility.
o Proof of kinship.
o Proof of address.
o Over 18 years of age, present a single certificate and certified studies.
Traveling with the Special Panamanian Passport
The special Panamanian passport allows you to visit these countries without the need to obtain a visa before your trip:
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Vatican City.
Additionally, you can visit the countries listed below by applying for a Visa upon entry:
Armenia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Palau, Qatar, Rwanda, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda.
On the other hand, the holders of a Passport for Retired Rentista can visit the following countries requesting an electronic visa:
Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Gabon, India, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
In other cases, those traveling to Samoa need an entry permit upon arrival in the country, while if their destination is Seychelles or the Solomon Islands, they will need to present a visitor's permit, and to enter Suriname they will be asked for a tourist card.
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