Obtaining a residency visa in Panama is not always easy, but our Guide to Residency in Panama gives newcomers an overview of the steps involved and advice from others who have already navigated the process.
- Gather the necessary documents for residency application:
- Valid passport
- Proof of financial solvency
- Police record from your home country
- Medical certificate
- Apply for a Tax Number:
- Visit the nearest Tax Office
- Fill out the application form
- Provide the necessary documents
- Pay the applicable fee
- Submit the residency application:
- Visit the Immigration Office
- Fill out the application form
- Provide the necessary documents
- Pay the applicable fee
- Wait for the approval of your residency application
- Receive your residency card
What tips do expats have about residency and visas in Panama?
“When we did it the process was relatively easy. Now we understand that a police report will no longer suffice. They require an FBI report now. You have to show verifiable income to support yourself and spouse. Again, do your homework before choosing an attorney,” said one expat living in Taboga Island.
“If you plan to stay in Panama for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a residency visa, also known as a visa de residencia. You must first fulfill certain requirements such as having proof of sufficient economic resources, a police record, and a current passport. You can apply for the visa in your home country before travelling to Panama, or at any Panamanian consulate abroad. Alternatively, you can apply for the visa upon entering Panama at any Immigration offices, through the National Migration Network or at the Immigration office at Tocumen International Airport,” wrote a member in Panama.
“The Panamanian government would LOVE to have you spend your retirement income and savings here and will make it easy for you to do so. In my opinion a permanent resident visa is one of the best investments I ever made,” commented one expat who made the move to Panama.
“Well, actually I never got around to any of that stuff. I’m a complete illegal alien. Nobody seems to care, so I don’t either. The problem I see is that the attorneys you’d need help from are going to pay attention to your money. I talked to a local attorney who helps with immigration but he wanted a lot of money, so I just kind of ignored him and plopped myself down here. I don’t generally recommend this method; but it works for me. I’m not the type of worry about the fine print,” remarked one expat living in Las Tablas.
“We needed a number of documents, all apostilled, which I had never even heard of apostilled before. All that means is notarized and presented to the correct authority to certify the notary is valid and current. We needed an FBI report which was the most difficult to obtain. I highly recommend using an expediter. Well worth the extra $$ to get it back in a couple of weeks instead of months. The rest was easy. Copies of bank statements, marriage certificate, letter proving monthly income for life (social security or pension as we got residency through the pensionado program). Everything notarized and apostilled,” wrote one member in Nueva Gorgona.
“The visa and residency requirements in Panama vary depending on the type of visa or residency you wish to obtain. Some common requirements include a valid passport, a police clearance certificate, financial documents demonstrating economic solvency, and completing application forms. It is advisable to consult with us for personalized advice depending on your case,” wrote Moises Alvarado N. from Panama Legal Business (PANLEB).
Moisés Alvarado Navarro is an experienced legal advisor in Panama and has assisted numerous foreigners in establishing themselves in Panama.
Click connect to have our partner, Moises, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Moisés Alvarado Navarro is an experienced legal advisor in Panama and has assisted numerous foreigners in establishing themselves in Panama.
Click connect to have our partner, Moises, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
"To just come to Panama for 3 months, no visa is required if you are coming from USA or Canada. You can actually stay for 6 months, but if you want to drive while here, you can only drive for 3 months. You need to leave the country for 72 hours to renew your time for driving. Pensionado visas are popular for retirees and allow you to stay longer. It is quite a bit of paperwork, and costs around $1500 if you use an attorney (recommended). You must prove income of at least $1000/month for this visa type)," mentioned one expat living in Panama.
"The process of applying for a visa in Panama depends on the type of visa and the duration of stay. To apply for a tourist visa, you must provide a valid passport, a completed application form, a processing fee, and adequate evidence of financial means to cover the costs of your stay. A work visa requires an employment offer from a Panamanian company with an approved government business license, a valid passport and a completed application form, processing fees, and adequate financial means to cover the proposed length of stay. The process of applying for residency in Panama includes submitting an application for residency, providing supporting documents such as a valid passport, proof of financial means to cover living expenses, evidence of health insurance, a police certificate from the country of residence, and a valid work permit, depending on the type of residency being applied for. The applicant may also be required to wait for a period of 6 months to a year before a decision is made, and may even need to attend an interview in Panama. Once granted, the residency will remain valid for two years and can be renewed as long as certain requirements are fulfilled," said an expat in Panama.
