The Panamanian government has created several laws which, depending on the particular type of visa applied for, enable foreigners to obtain temporary or permanent residency, work permits, and in some cases citizenship and/or passports of the Republic of Panama.

 

Most of these laws have been created to promote foreign investment in the country, which benefits the local environment or local economy of Panama.

 

There are several types of Visas available, the most common ones being:

 

 

 

Note: These visas do not convey permission to work in Panama.

 

The following is intended as a brief summary of the most popular residency visas offered to foreigners.

 

 

 

Regulated by Law N° 9 of June 24, 1987, the retiree or “pensionado” residence status requires that the applicant demonstrates an income on pension of only US$500.00 per month from a foreign government, international organization or private entity, plus and additional $100.00 for each dependent including a spouse.

 

According to the Immigration Department of Panama the minimum age required to qualify is 18.

 

The applicants' income must be proved by providing documentation such as a letter from the government or company that is issuing the pension, and it must be apostilled* by the Panamania Consulate in the country where the documents are issued. This document must stipulate that his/her pension income of US$500.00 per month is for life.

 

This grants you (and any dependents) a legal residency in Panama, which remains valid as long as you continue to meet the pension income requirements.

 

Under this visa you may not apply for a Panama passport or naturalization.

 

Once the visa petition is filed before the Immigration and Naturalization Directorate, a provisional residence permit, valid for a one-year period will be granted to the applicants.

 

At the end of the one-year period, a petition for permanent residence must be filed. The permanent residence permit, once approved, grant the applicant a Panamanian Identification Card and the right to apply for Panamanian Nationality after 5 years

 

 

• Original passport (expiry date must be more than 6 months from date of application) and photocopy of the complete valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all other pages (all pages of the passport). This should be provided after the Passport Registration is registered at the Immigration Office in Panama.
• Eight (8) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition. THIS MUST BE DONE DURING YOUR INITIAL VISIT TO PANAMA.
• If Pension is from a Government Institution or Social Security, the client must provide certification from the respective Government institution that pays the applicant’s retirement or pension income, certifying that the person receives a "pension" in the amount of at least US$500 per month for LIFE (plus US$100 for each dependent that you wish to add if applicable). This document must be 'original' and must be apostiled.
• If pension is paid from a Private entity or Corporation, then you must also provide a Certification from the appropriate Government authority certifying that the Corporation is in operation and duly registered. This document must be 'original’ and apostiled.
• Proof of monthly income, such as copies of checks, bank statements, etc.
• Please note, if the application is approved the amount of the monthly income may be verified periodically to ensure it continues to meet minimum requirements.
• Police record from the country of your last 5 years of residency. This document must be 'original' and apostiled.
• Marriage Certificate (for the spouse - if applicable), and/or Birth Certificate (for children under 18 years of age - if applicable). This document must be 'original' and apostiled.
• Certified translations of all non-Spanish documents by a recognized public office translator in Panama are also required
• Two short visits to the Immigration Department in Panama will be necessary, to register your passport, and to take the picture for your Permanent Resident card once the application is approved; otherwise you need not remain in Panama for the application process.
• To leave Panama and re-enter during the application process and after approval, you must apply for a Multiple Reentry Visa**
• No copies of official documents will be accepted (except in the case of the passport)

 

 

• Total exemption from import duties on personal and domestic goods up to the value of US$10,000.
• Import tax exemption every two years on a motor vehicle for personal use.
• Indefinite residency.
• Discount of 50% off price charged for entrance to recreation and entertainment activities, such as movies, theaters, sports and other public productions. This discount is not applicable for those events marked as benefits for the youth, homeless or those specially authorized by the competent authorities.
• Discounts for the following means of public transportation:
  • Inter-Urban buses; 30%
  • Trains, 30%
  • Launches and boats, 30%
  • 25% discount on air fares on public, private national and foreign Airlines
• A minimum discount of the regular prices of hotels and motels.
  • 50% from Monday to Thursday
  • 30% on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• 25% discount of food consumed by the individual in all restaurants except for the Fondas, which do not require license to operate
• 15% discount in fast food restaurants
• 15% discount in the total cost for services of hospitals and private clinics
• Discounts in the following medical services:
  • 20% in consultation fees of general medicine doctors and medical and surgical specialists.
  • 15% for dental services.
  • 15% for optometry
• Insurance companies that include in their policies health benefits for illness shall adjust their fees to include the necessary adjustment so that the benefits of these discounts are transferred in the payment of the premiums when the insured is 55 years old if female, and 60 years old if male, as well as to the Pensionados & Jubilados.
• 20% discount for technical and professional services.
• 20% discount for all prosthetic devices as well as items and accessories of personal assistance.
• 50% discount in cost of passports.
• 25% discount in monthly electrical consumption of private or public of private or public entity up to 600KW's and the normal tariffs will be applied to anything about that amount.
• 25% discount to the basic phone service charges when the phone service is in the name of the individual and is for a residential phone
• 25% discount in the water bill providing the consumption does not exceed $30.00 and the bill is in your personal name. It also has to be the prime residence and will only apply to this one home.

 

 

 

This program allows foreigners to obtain immediate Panamanian Passport under the condition that they make a 5-year time deposit (certificate of deposit - "CD"), at the Banco Nacional de Panama, which earns a minimum of US$750 per month in interest income.

 

Since interest rates fluctuate, the minimum amount generated monthly must be $750. That means the original 5-year CD deposit with the Banco Nacional de Panama will vary depending on current interest rates. The monthly interest earned from the time deposit (CD), would be deposited directly into the applicants savings account, and the applicant can withdraw the funds in the savings account at any time.

 

 

• Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant, including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all pages showing entry/exit stamps (all pages used in the passport).
• Original Police record of the applicant, from the place of residence, duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Original Birth Certificate of the applicant duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Original Marriage Certificate for the applicant (if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant.
• Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition. THIS MUST BE DONE DURING YOUR INITIAL VISIT TO PANAMA.

 

 

• Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all pages showing entry/exit stamps (all pages used in the passport). The photocopy of passport should be notarized.
• Two Original Financial Reference Letters: These can be from any bank, brokerage firm, or credit union. They should be on the financial institutions letterhead, signed by a representative of the financial institution, and show the contact information (address, tel, fax, email, etc.) for the reference to be verified. To view an example of a Financial Reference Letter, click on the underlined words.
• Two Original Commercial Reference Letters: These can be from any company or professional (a company, attorney, accountant, etc.). They should be on the company or professional’s letterhead, signed by a representative of the company (or the professional), and shows the contact information (address, tel, fax, email, etc.) for the reference to be verified.
• To view an example of a Commercial Reference Letter, click on the underlined words.
• Two Original Personal Reference Letters: These can be from any person that you know (a friend, family member, doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.). They should be signed by the person, and show the contact information (address, tel, email, etc.) for the reference to be verified. To view an example of a Personal Reference Letter, click on the underlined words.

 

 

• The bank account is opened, and you make the time deposit. The bank then provides a certificate of deposit, and a copy of the time deposit contract.
• Submit your application and documentation to the Immigration Department of Panama, for the Panama Passport.
• Within approximately 2 to 3 weeks, the Immigration Department will issue the Panama Passport. At this point, the applicant is required to go physically to the Immigration Department for picture taking and thumb printing, for the issuance of the Panama Passport.

 

Note: It is not necessary for applicants to reside in Panama to qualify for or to maintain the Panama Passport, however, a short visit to Panama is required for the processing of the passport. Also, the applicant does not obtain Panamanian citizenship or legal residency through this program.

 

 

 

 

Law N° 16, of June 30,1960 created this program to offer international investors the opportunity to obtain legal residency, citizenship (and passport) in Panama through certain investments in the Republic of Panama. Please note that the law was recently modified with new requirements.

 

Currently, the Self-Economic Solvency Visa offers three (3) different investment options to qualify for residency status in the Republic of Panama;

 

 

Investment: Invest a minimum of US$200,000 (two hundred thousand US Dollars) in a two (2) year time deposit (or "certificate of deposit" or "CD") at any licensed bank in Panama.

 

Stipulations: (1) The time deposit (CD) account must be in the personal name of the primary applicant (it may not be in the name of a corporation, foundation, or trust). The interest earned from the time deposit (CD), will be deposited monthly into any savings account at the bank that you designate (the savings account may be a personal account, or a corporate account). The Panamanian government does NOT tax the interest income, nor is it subject to any tax reporting requirements.

 

Dependents: For each additional dependent that applies for residency under the primary applicant, the primary applicant must prove that he or she has enough income to support the general costs of living of each dependent.

 

 

Investment: Invest a minimum of US$200,000 (two hundred thousand US Dollars) in a titled property (real estate) in the Republic of Panama.

 

Stipulations: (1) The titled property must be in the personal name of the primary applicant (it may not be in the name of a corporation, foundation, or trust). (2) The primary applicant must also prove that he or she has an income to support his or her general costs of living.

 

Dependents: For each additional dependent that applies for residency under the primary applicant, the primary applicant must prove that he or she has enough income to support the general costs of living of each dependent.

 

 

Investment: Invest a minimum of US$120,000 (one hundred and twenty thousand US Dollars) in a two (2) year time deposit (or "certificate of deposit" or "CD") at any licensed bank in Panama, PLUS invest a minimum of US$80,000 (eighty thousand US Dollars) in a titled property (real estate) in the Republic of Panama. Both must be in your personal name.

 

Stipulations: (1) The time deposit (CD) account must be in the personal name of the primary applicant (it may not be in the name of a corporation, foundation, or trust). The interest earned from the time deposit (CD), will be deposited monthly into any savings account at the bank that you designate (the savings account may be a personal account, or a corporate account). The Panamanian government does NOT tax the interest income, nor is it subject to any tax reporting requirements. (2) The titled property must be in the personal name of the primary applicant (it may not be in the name of a corporation, foundation, or trust). (3) The primary applicant must also prove that he or she has an income to support his or her general costs of living.

 

Dependents: For each additional dependent that applies for residency under the primary applicant, the primary applicant must prove that he or she has enough income to support the general costs of living of each dependent.

 

 

 

 

• The bank account is opened, and you make the time deposit. The bank then provides a certificate of deposit, and a copy of the time deposit contract.
• Submits your application for a 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Self Economic Solvency Program. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 3 months (those 3 months are used by the Immigration Department to process the 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa). After 3 months, you will be issued a new Temporary Immigrant Card that is valid for 1 year.
• After the 1-year Temporary Immigrant Visa expires, submit a new application for your Permanent Residency Visa. You will then be provided with a Panamanian Cedula (Permanent Resident Card).
• After 5 years of having Permanent Residency status, you may apply for Panamanian Citizenship, and a Panamanian Passport. This is called becoming "Naturalized", and requires that you accept the laws of the Republic of Panama under oath. Panamanian passports are renewable every 5 years.

 

It is not necessary for applicants to reside in Panama to qualify for or maintain Panamanian residency or citizenship; however, a short visit to Panama is required for the processing of the Temporary Immigrant Visa, the Permanent Resident Visa, and for the Naturalization (Citizenship and passport).

 

 

• The titled property is purchased. The Public Registry issues a certificate of ownership, and a registered copy of the purchase contract.
• Submit your application for a 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Self Economic Solvency Program. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 3 months (those 3 months are used by the Immigration Department to process the 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa). After 3 months, you will be issued a new Temporary Immigrant Card that is valid for 1 year.
• After the 1-year Temporary Immigrant Visa expires, submit a new application for your Permanent Residency Visa. You will then be provided with a Panamanian Cedula (Permanent Resident Card).
• After 5 years of having Permanent Residency status, you may apply for Panamanian Citizenship, and a Panamanian Passport. This is called becoming "Naturalized", and requires that you accept the laws of the Republic of Panama under oath. Panamanian passports are renewable every 5 years.

 

It is not necessary for applicants to reside in Panama to qualify for or maintain Panamanian residency or citizenship; however, a short visit to Panama is required for the processing of the Temporary Immigrant Visa, the Permanent Resident Visa, and for the Naturalization (Citizenship and passport).

 

 

• The bank account is opened, and you make the time deposit. The bank then provides a certificate of deposit, and a copy of the time deposit contract. The titled property is purchased, and the Public Registry issues a certificate of ownership and a registered copy of the purchase contract.
• Submit your application for a 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Self Economic Solvency Program. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 3 months (those 3 months are used by the Immigration Department to process the 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa). After 3 months, you will be issued a new Temporary Immigrant Card that is valid for 1 year.
• After the 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa expires, submit a new application for your Permanent Residency Visa. You will then be provided with a Panamanian Cedula (Permanent Resident Card).
• After 5 years of having Permanent Residency status, you may apply for Panamanian Citizenship, and a Panamanian Passport. This is called becoming "Naturalized", and requires that you accept the laws of the Republic of Panama under oath. Panamanian passports are renewable every 5 years.

 

It is not necessary for applicants to reside in Panama to qualify for or maintain Panamanian residency or citizenship; however, a short visit to Panama is required for the processing of the Temporary Immigrant Visa, the Permanent Resident Visa, and for the Naturalization (Citizenship and passport).

 

 

• Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all pages showing entry/exit stamps (all pages used in the passport).
• Original Police record of the applicant, from the place of residence (and spouse & dependents over 18 years of age - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Original Marriage Certificate for the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Birth Certificate (for the dependents only) duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition.

 

 

• Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all other pages in the passport including the cover (the entire passport). The photocopy of passport should be notarized.
• Two Original Financial Reference Letters: These can be from any bank, brokerage firm, or credit union. They should be on the financial institutions letterhead, signed by a representative of the financial institution, and show the contact information (address, tel, fax, email, etc.) for the reference to be verified. To view an example of a Financial Reference Letter, click on the underlined words.
• Two Original Commercial Reference Letters: This can be from any company or professional (a company, attorney, accountant, etc.). They should be on the company or professional’s letterhead, signed by a representative of the company (or the professional), and shows the contact information (address, tel, fax, email, etc.) for the reference to be verified. To view an example of a Commercial Reference Letter, click on the underlined words.

 

Note that immigration request that the applicant for any type of visa, be present physically at the immigration office in Panama, at the time of Visa application.

 

 

 

Investors in a Panamanian business can qualify for a permanent residence visa under the business investor program. This is very similar to the Reforestation Visa, and is applicable to those who wish to invest in commercial, financial and industrial activities (excluding retail) in Panama. There are two categories:

 

Micro Enterprise Investor ($40,000)

Macro Enterprise Investor ($150,000)

 

In order to qualify for Micro Enterprise Investor Visa, applicants must invest a minimum of $40,000 (plus $4000 for each dependent) in a registered Panamanian company in which they are a director/officer. The company must employ at least three Panamanian citizens full-time, paying them at least minimum wage and social security.

 

Upon approval of the application, applicants will be issued a one-year, provisional residency visa, which can be renewed three times; after the fourth year, applicants can apply for permanent residency and eventual naturalization.

 

In order to qualify for a Macro Enterprise Investor Visa, applicants must invest a minimum of $150,000 (plus $4000 for each dependent) in a registered Panamanian company in which they are a director/officer. The company must employ at least three Panamanian citizens full-time, paying them at least minimum wage and social security.

 

Upon approval of the application, applicants will be issued a one-year, provisional residency visa, after which they can apply for permanent residency and eventual naturalization.

 

 

• Corporation papers including Commercial License, copy of utility bill, income tax declaration
• Proof of investment, including copies of shares, bank deposits, commercial invoices
• Social Security registration of employees
• Good Health Medical Certificate from Panama
• Police report from the country where you have lived the last two years
• Copy of passport
• 4 Passport-sized photos
• Marriage certificate (for dependent spouse); must be official
• Birth certificate (for dependent children under 18 years of age)
• An additional $4000 investment for each dependent

 

 

• These documents (except the Health Certificate) should be gathered before arriving in Panama
• All official documents must be issued within 3 months of application
• No copies of official documents will be accepted (except in the case of the passport
• All documents must be notarized and certified by the nearest Panama consulate in your country
• Certified translations of all non-Spanish documents by a recognized public office translator in Panama are also required
• Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you apply for residency
• Two short visits to the Immigration Department in Panama will be necessary, to register your passport, and to take the picture for your Permanent Resident card once the application is approved; otherwise you need not remain in Panama for the application process.
• If you wish to leave Panama and re-enter during the application process, you must apply for a Multiple Reentry Visa

 

 

 

In April 2006, the Department of Immigration reactivated the immigrant category of Reforestation Investor. You can invest directly by purchasing land for reforestation, or indirectly by investing in a certified reforestation project. With this visa, foreigners become eligible for a permanent residency visa and eventual naturalization.

 

This type of visa may be suitable for those who wish to invest in cash wood crops such as teak plantations; however, it should be noted the investment must be made for a minimum of 10 years, and there are no guarantees on returns. This category is very similar to the Business Investor category, however, there are number of tax incentives in place for Reforestation Investors.

 

 

 

It does not matter which of these two programs you decide to use, they both give the Forestry Investor the right to apply for citizenship after 5 years from initial application. The applicant does not actually need to live in Panama; however, they do need to present themselves to immigration authorities in Panama.

 

In order to further encourage investment in reforestation, the Panamanian government has put in place various incentives:

 

• Preferential loans
• 100% of the investment into reforestation is income tax deductible
• Income tax exemption on all revenues derived from the commercialization of forest products
• Import tax exemption on all goods and materials used for reforestation / forest plantations
• Real estate tax exemption & transfer tax exemption for farms with half of total area dedicated to reforestation (minimum 200 hectares)

 

 

• To qualify as a Reforestation Micro-Investor, applicants must directly or indirectly invest a minimum of $40,000 USD (plus $4000 for each dependent) for at least 10 years in an certified reforestation project.
• Certification is granted by the Ministry of the Environment's Forestry Department.
• It includes clear title of 1.3 hectares (3.21 acres) of an already established plantation (2002 plantation) with UNITED NATURE.
• A 10-year maintenance contract from date of planting. There will be no charges until this contract is fulfilled. After 10 years, the maintenance costs will be US$600.00 per year per hectare.

 

 

Keep in mind that for each step of the application, the applicant and their dependents if they are to be included, will need to present themselves to the immigration authorities in Panama for initial applications and all consequent renewals that are described below.

 

Initial application: The applicant will need to be in Panama a minimum of 5 working days. After registering at immigration and presenting all required documentation, immigration will issue a 3-4 month provisional visa. You do not have to return to Panama on the exact expiring date of the provisional card, but should not wait more than 4 months after the expiration date before returning and apply for the one year Immigrant Visa Card.

 

One year Immigrant Visa Card: On the second trip, the applicant will need to be in the country 3 working days. Once registration at immigration and presentation of all required documentation is completed, (none which the applicant has to produce), immigration will issue a one year Resident Immigrant Card.

 

This one year Resident Immigrant Card will have to be renewed every year for the next 3 years. Just like the initial application, the applicant does not have to appear at immigration the exact day the card expires, but should not wait more than 4 months after the expiration date before returning each year for the renewal of this card.

 

On the fifth year the applicant will apply for the permanent residency card and a cedula. At this same time, the applicant can apply for citizenship and then a Passport.

 

 

• To qualify as a Reforestation Macro-Investor, applicants must directly or indirectly invest a minimum of $80,000 USD (plus $4000 for each dependent) for at least 10 years in a certified reforestation project.
• Certification is granted by the Ministry of the Environment's Forestry Department.
• It includes clear title of 2.6 hectares (6.42 acres) of an already established plantation (2002 plantation) with UNITED NATURE.
• A 10-year maintenance contract from date of planting. There will be no charges until this contract is fulfilled. After 10 years, the maintenance costs will be US$600.00 per year per hectare.

 

 

Just like the Small Forestry Investor Visa the applicant and its dependents if they are to be included, will need to present themselves to the immigration authorities in Panama for initial applications and all consequent renewals that are described below. Unlike the Small Forestry Investor, after the one year Immigrant Visa Card has expired it does not need to be renewed.

 

Initial application: The applicant will need to be in Panama a minimum of 5 working days. After registering in immigration and presenting all required documentation, immigration will issue a 3-4 month provisional visa. You do not have to return to Panama on the exact expiring date of the provisional card, but should not wait more than 4 months after the expiration date before returning and apply for the one-year immigrant visa card.

 

One year Immigrant Visa Card: On the second trip, the applicant will need to be in the country 3 working days. Once registration at immigration and presentation of all required documentation is completed (none which the applicant has to produce), immigration will issue a one-year Resident Immigrant card.

 

After the One Year Immigrant Visa Card is expired you will be required to apply for permanent residency card and a cedula. Five years after initial application the applicant can apply for citizenship and a passport

 

 

• Certificate of Good Standing from the Public Registry for the Panama company or foreign company in which the investment has been made.
• Certificate of Investment from the company in which the investment has been made.
• Certificate of approval from the Ministry of the Environment
• Copy of share certificates in nominative form.
• Copy of company's tax registration
• Deposit slip of investment
• Proof of reforestation activities

 

Applicant and dependents must also gather the following for the visa application:

• Good Health Medical Certificate from Panama
• Police report from the country where you have lived the last two years
• Copy of passport
• 4 Passport-sized photos
• Marriage certificate (for dependent spouse); must be official
• Birth certificate (for dependent children under 18 years of age)
• An additional $4000 investment for each dependent

 

 

• All Visa applications must be handled through a Panama Lawyer.
• The Panama Consulate nearest you must authenticate and Apostiled all overseas documentation presented to the authorities in Panama.
• All applicants, regardless of the type of visa that you choose, must present a Police Record, or if it sounds better, a Police Clearance Report. This document is not complicated and can be obtained easily through your Local County Sheriff Department. It must be presented on a letterhead of the Police Department. An official from that institution should also duly sign the letter. The document does not need to be finger printed but should be apostiled.
• All documents must be issued no more than 4 months prior to visa application.
• Passports must have at least 6 months validity.
• In both cases dependents can be included in the program. That is, the applicant’s children who are under 18 and one spouse. Children between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age that are studying, single and childless can also be considered dependents. In any case, a marriage certificate must be produced for your spouse and a birth certificate for your children.
• These documents (except the Health Certificate) should be gathered before arriving in Panama.
• No copies of official documents will be accepted (except in the case of the passport).
• Certified translations of all non-Spanish documents by a recognized public office translator in Panama are also required.
• If you wish to leave Panama and re-enter during the application process, you must apply for a Multiple Reentry Visa.

 

 

 

Anyone without a full Panamanian passport needs a Multiple Entry & Exit Visa if they want to travel in and out of Panama.

This includes immigrants, permanent residents and visa-holders, as well as those who are in the process of applying for any of these. The Multiple Entry & Exit Visa allows you to come and go as many times as you like, until the expiration date and/or as long as you are legally allowed to reside in Panama.

 

 

Validity of the Multiple Entry & Exit Visa depends on the Legal status of Client, as follows:

 

• If Immigrant (Resident Visa is in process): the Multiple Entry & Exit Visa is valid for one (1) year or less (depending on the expiration date of the current provisional resident visa).
• If Permanent Resident (Resident Visa is completed): the Multiple Entry & Exit Visa should be valid for a maximum term of two (2) years.

 

 

• Two (2) passport sized pictures of the applicant.
• Original and Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including; the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.) and all pages showing entry / exit stamps (all pages used in the passport).
• The photocopy of the passport should be notarized.
• Copy of your Provisional or Resident Card.

 

 

It takes approximately five (5) business days to process the Multiple Entry & Exit Visa at the Immigration office.

 

 

 

Law number 16 of 1960 created this program (“Visa en Calidad de Agricultor”) as a means to offer foreigners the opportunity to become permanent residents and citizens in Panama by investing in farms and agriculture in the Republic of Panama.

 

 

• Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all other pages (every single page in the passport). Please note that during your initial visit to Panama , you will need to take your original passport to the immigration office to “register” the passport, for immigration processing purposes.
• Original Police record of the applicant, from the place of residence (and dependents such as spouse & children - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate or Embassy in the country or region where the police record was issued.
• Original Birth Certificate (of the children that are dependents - if applicable) duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Original Marriage Certificate (for the dependent if they are a spouse or husband - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition.

 

 

 

• Special Power of Attorney, signed by the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), authorizing a law firm to process the immigration applications and documentation.
• Letter of Responsibility, signed by the applicant, whereby the applicant takes responsibility for his/her dependents.
• Certification issued by the "Alcalde" (Mayor) or "Corregidor" (Sherriff) of the area where your farm is located, certifying that they have in effect made the official inspection to confirm that you are dedicated to the agricultural business.
• Certification issued by the "MIDA" (Ministro de Desarrollo Agropecuario) (Ministry of Agricultural Development).
• Immigration Department Application for the Visa, duly completed (the applicant must sign).

 

 

• Submit all required documents to the immigration department, where they will issue you a 3-month provisional (temporary) visa (Temporary Immigrant Card).
• After the 3 months, submit your application for a 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Agricultural Investor visa requirements. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 1 year.
• After the 1-year, submit your application for a 2 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Agricultural Investor visa requirements. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 2 years.
• After the 2 years, submit your application for a 5 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Agricultural Investor visa requirements. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 5 years.
• After the 5-year Temporary Immigrant Visa expires, submit a new application for your Permanent Residency Visa. You will then be provided with a Panamanian Cedula (Permanent Resident Card).
• After 5 years of having Permanent Residency status, you may apply for Panamanian Citizenship, and a Panamanian Passport. This is called becoming "Naturalized", and requires that you accept the laws of the Republic of Panama under oath. Panamanian passports are renewable every 5 years thereafter.

 

 

 

This program allows foreign students to obtain legal residency in Panama under the condition that they will be living in Panama for educational purposes, such as attending a Panamanian university, school, etc.

There are various internationally accredited universities that have branches in Panama, including:

Florida State University

NOVA University

University of Louisville

Universidad Interamericana

Universidad Latina de Panama

Universidad Santa Maria la Antigua (USMA)

ULACIT

 

 

 

 

This program allows foreign missionaries to obtain legal residency in Panama under the condition that they will be living in Panama for the purpose of missionary activities, such as being a pastor at a church, or other such activities.

 

 

• Certificate of Good Health, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition.
• Notarized and authenticated police record from the place of residence for the applicant (and spouse & children - if applicable).
• Certified or notarized Birth Certificate of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Marriage Certificate for the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Four (4) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).

 

Financial reference letter from your bank, credit union, or brokerage / investment firm.

 

 

 

This program allows foreign investors to obtain up to 5 work visas (valid for an initial term of 2 years, and renewable for an additional 2 years) for their company in Panama under the condition that they must rent an office or building within the City of Knowledge of Panama (located within the former Fort Clayton military base), for the purpose of operating a business from Panama.

 

Since the turnover of the US military bases in Panama, the Panamanian government has designated part of Fort Clayton as the "City of Knowledge", in attempts to attract foreign investment and businesses, offering similar tax benefits as the existing Colon Free Trade Zone (the second largest distribution center in the world).

 

The businesses operating from the City of Knowledge have distinct tax advantages for operating manufacturing plants, assembly plants, software creation facilities, call centers, and other such businesses that export their products or services. These businesses also get a substantial tax break on a certain percentage of their products or services sold locally.

 

 

• Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all pages showing entry/exit stamps (all pages used in the passport).
• Original Police record of the applicant, from the place of residence (and spouse & children - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Original Birth Certificate of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Original Marriage Certificate for the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
• Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).
• Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition. THIS MUST BE DONE DURING YOUR INITIAL VISIT TO PANAMA.
• Certification from the Fundacion Ciudad del Saber (Foundation of the City of Knowledge), certifying that the applicant is involved in a business located and registered within the City of Knowledge.
• Letter of Responsibility, signed by the applicant, whereby the applicant takes responsibility for his/her dependents.

 

 

 

• Submit your application for a 2 year Work Permit Visa, under the Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge) Program. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 3 months (those 3 months are used by the Immigration Department to process the 2 year Work Permit Visa).
• After 3 months, you will be issued a new Work Permit Card that is valid for 2 years.
• After the 2-year Work Permit Visa expires, submit a new application to extend the Work Permit Visa for a maximum of another 2 years.

 

A short visit to Panama is required for the processing of the Work Permit Visa.