Foreign nationals who want to immigrate to Panama must follow an entry route that suits their purpose of stay and meet the minimum residence requirements before they can move on to a permanent residency status if desired. Our team can help you set up a company in Panamaand relocate to the country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes, with some exceptions (USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, etc.) |
Types of visas available |
Short-stay visa Long-term visa (retiree visa, work or investment visa) |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 1-3 months |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | 1, 2 or 3 years, depending on the visa type |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | 30 days for the investment residence permit; the processing time can differ on a case-to-case basis. |
| Investor Visa Availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | No |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | Applications are submited after a minimum lawful stay of at leat 5 years; the processing time can be of 1 year. |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Tax benefits for expats | The regular Panamanian tax benefits: no taxes on income earned outside of Panama. |
Table of Contents
Who can relocate to Panama?
Foreign nationals can move to Panama provided that they fall into one of the general categories below:
- They are a citizen who qualifies for the Friendly Nations Visa (countries that have a bilateral agreement with Panama). Examples include North and South America, most European countries, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, or South Africa, just to name a few. These citizens must also comply with other conditions;
- They qualify for the retirement visa (i.e., they have pension income from their country of origin that satisfies the minimum income requirements);
- They are a qualified investor. Entrepreneurs must make a minimum approved investment in the country (real estate of a minimum value or other types of investment), and this leads to permanent residency;
- Have Panamanian origins or be married to a Panamanian national. Sufficient and adequate proof is brought in these cases (valid marriage, proof of Panamanian descent).
Foreign nationals can immigrate to Panama first based on a temporary residence permit, followed by permanent residency.
Entrepreneurs who qualify for the residence by investment program are granted permanent residency from the beginning. If this route is available to you, our team can give you more details on how to open a company in Panama.
What documents do I need if I want to move to Panama?
General and specific documents are required for all of the aforementioned entry routes. General documents include valid identification documents, a criminal record, proof of income, and proof of a medical exam (when necessary).
Visa-specific documents include proof of retirement, proof of investment, along with other documents, on a case-by-case basis.
The following list of general documents presented by our team can be used as an example:
- Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months);
- Proof of income;
- Certified personal documents (as per the residence permit type; can refer to the birth certificate or marriage certificate);
- Police record verification (for US citizens, this would be issued by the F.B.I.).
In addition to these, you are also asked to complete the requirements for registering with the Panamanian authorities once you are in the country. This includes filling in the registration form, providing other documents, and making sure that you are personally present to receive the documents that attest your right to remain in the country when they are issued by the Panamanian authorities.
Please keep in mind that document requirements vary according to residence permit type, and individuals who move to Panama to retire here will be asked to provide additional and/or different documents compared to foreign investors.
What steps must I follow to apply for a visa and residence permit in Panama?
The following timeline is generally applicable:
- Determine the visa and residence permit you qualify for. You will first apply for a visa, if this is required to enter the country, or for a residence permit;
- Submit your application with the Panamanian consulate or embassy in your country of origin;
- Travel to Panama;
- Submit the required documents to the Panamanian authorities, the National Migration Service, to obtain the provisional residence permit card.
The following video summarizes the main requirements for immigration to Panama:
How can I remain in Panama permanently?
The goal of many foreign nationals who immigrate to Panama is to make their stay permanent. This is possible when a temporary residence permit is converted into a permanent one, followed by citizenship by naturalization for those who wish to acquire this status.
Permanent residency can be awarded immediately for qualifying investors, or after two or five years, on a case-by-case basis.
Contact us if you want to know more about how you can immigrate to Panama.