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Uribe & Asociados, your trusted lawyers in Panama and Colombia.
Specialists in Immigration Law
Panama has distinguished itself by offering various immigration categories for foreigners who wish to reside permanently in the country. One of the options is Permanent Residence for retirees and/or pensioners who enter the national territory and have an economic solvency of no less than one thousand balboas (1,000.00), which must be for life.
There is also the alternative of applying for permanent resident status as foreigners from specific countries that maintain friendly relations with the Republic of Panama, such as Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain, United States of America, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Uruguay.
Likewise, we highlight the Temporary Resident Permit as a retired rentier, which applies to foreigners who enter the national territory and prove to earn a monthly income of eight hundred fifty balboas (850.00), coming exclusively from interest on a fixed-term deposit in the National Bank of Panama or the Savings Bank.
In addition to the categories already mentioned, there are other modalities that allow the immigration regularization of foreign citizens in the country.
Immigration Permits:
Permanent Resident:
For Economic Reasons:
- PROVISIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR INVESTOR OF A LARGE-SCALE COMPANY: Foreigner who wishes to invest in a company with a minimum share capital of B/.160,000.00 per applicant, being shareholders and officers of the same company.
- PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR REASONS OF OWN ECONOMIC SOLVENCY THROUGH FIXED-TERM DEPOSIT: Foreigner who invests a minimum amount of three hundred thousand balboas (300,000.00) in a fixed-term deposit and proves that the funds come from abroad.
- PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR REASONS OF OWN ECONOMIC SOLVENCY THROUGH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT: Foreigner who invests a minimum amount of three hundred thousand balboas (300,000.00) in real estate and proves that the funds come from abroad.
- PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR REASONS OF OWN ECONOMIC SOLVENCY THROUGH MIXED INVESTMENT – FIXED-TERM DEPOSIT AND REAL ESTATE: Foreigner who invests a minimum amount of three hundred thousand balboas (300,000.00) in real estate or a fixed-term deposit, or a combination of both, and proves that the funds come from abroad.
Special Policies:
- RETIRED PENSIONER: This permit may be requested by a foreigner who receives a retirement or pension from a foreign government, international organization, or private company, who enters the national territory to settle in it and has sufficient financial means to cover all their living expenses and those of their dependents in the country. The monthly income or pension may not be less than one thousand balboas (B/.1,000.00) and must be granted for life.
- RETIRED RENTIER: This permit may be requested by a temporary resident as a retired rentier, a foreigner who enters the national territory and proves to earn a monthly income of eight hundred fifty balboas (850.00), coming exclusively from interest generated by a fixed-term deposit in the National Bank of Panama or the Savings Bank, and whose interest generated from this deposit is free of liens or guarantees of any kind, for a minimum period of five (5) years.
- PROVISIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR INVESTOR OF THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC AREA OF PANAMA PACIFICO: This permit may be requested by a foreigner who makes an investment of not less than two hundred fifty thousand balboas (B/.250,000.00) in the risk capital of a company in the Panama-Pacific Area or in Developer or Operator Companies.
Labor Reasons:
- PROVISIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR FOREIGN PERSONNEL HIRED BY PRIVATE COMPANIES WITHIN 10% OF THE REGULAR STAFF: Foreigner hired by private companies, earning a salary not less than B/.850.00 per month. This permit will be granted for periods of two (2) years; after this period, the applicant may apply for permanent residence.
- PROVISIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR FOREIGNERS HIRED AS EXPERTS OR TECHNICIANS WITHIN 15% OF THE SPECIALIZED STAFF: Foreigner hired by a company as an expert or technician, earning a salary not less than B/.850.00 per month.
Demographic Reasons:
- PROVISIONAL RESIDENT PERMIT FOR DEMOGRAPHIC REASONS, FAMILY REUNIFICATION THROUGH MARRIAGE WITH A PANAMANIAN: This permit may be requested by foreigners who have contracted marriage with a Panamanian national and live with him/her under conditions of uniqueness, stability, and continuity.
- PROVISIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR DEMOGRAPHIC REASONS, FAMILY REUNIFICATION, DEPENDENT OF A PERMANENT RESIDENT: This permit may be requested by foreign spouses, children under eighteen (18) years old, relatives with disabilities, and dependent parents of a provisional resident of two (2) years, permanent resident, or national. Children over eighteen (18) years old up to twenty-five (25) years old may be requested as dependents, provided they are regularly studying and under the economic dependence of the resident or national. The resident or national who proves to have custody or guardianship of a minor may also request them as a dependent.
- PROVISIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT FOR DEMOGRAPHIC REASONS AND FAMILY REUNIFICATION AS FOREIGNERS WITH PANAMANIAN CHILDREN: This permit may be applied for by a foreigner who has one or more Panamanian children at least five (5) years of age.
By Special Laws:
- PERMANENT RESIDENT PERMIT UNDER SPECIAL LAWS – TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP, COMMERCE, AND NAVIGATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA AND THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY: This permit is granted exclusively to Italian nationals who wish to establish their residence indefinitely in our country.
- PROVISIONAL RESIDENT PERMIT FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS OF SPECIFIC COUNTRIES THAT MAINTAIN FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL, ECONOMIC, AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA: The National Immigration Service may grant a Provisional Residence Permit for a period of two (2) years to those who apply under the subcategory of Permanent Resident, as foreign nationals of specific countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relations with the Republic of Panama, for the purpose of carrying out economic or professional activities in accordance with this Executive Decree.
- PROVISIONAL RESIDENT PERMIT FOR FOREIGN PROFESSIONALS: This permit may be requested by foreign professionals, provided that their profession is not limited by the Constitution of the Republic of Panama or by law to Panamanian nationals by birth or naturalization.
Temporary Resident:
Labor Reasons:
- PERMIT FOR FOREIGN PERSONNEL HIRED BY COMPANIES UNDER THE MARRAKECH AGREEMENT: This permit may be requested by foreigners entering the country to work in companies with fewer than ten (10) Panamanian workers, under the Marrakech Agreement adopted by the Republic of Panama through Law 23 of 1997. For the purposes of this permit, the worker must prove a salary of no less than one thousand balboas (B/.1,000.00) per month.
- TEMPORARY PERMIT FOR FOREIGN PERSONNEL HIRED AS EXECUTIVES IN COMPANIES OF THE COLÓN FREE ZONE: This permit may be requested by foreigners serving in executive, trust, managerial, or specialized technical positions in companies authorized to operate in the Colón Free Zone, with a salary of no less than two thousand balboas (B/.2,000.00) per month.
Education Reasons:
- TEMPORARY PERMIT FOR EDUCATIONAL REASONS: This permit may be requested by foreigners who wish to pursue full-time regular studies at public or private educational institutions, whether at basic, intermediate, higher, or specialized levels, recognized by the Ministry of Education.
Family Reunification:
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION: This permit may be requested for foreign spouses, children under 18 years of age, and parents of a temporary resident. Children over 18 up to 25 years old may also qualify if they can prove they are studying and economically dependent on their parents. This permit is granted for annual periods, up to a maximum of six (6) years.
Naturalization:
According to Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Panama:
Foreigners eligible to request Panamanian nationality by naturalization:
- “Foreigners with five consecutive years of residence in the territory of the Republic who, after reaching the age of majority, declare their intention to naturalize, expressly renounce their original nationality or any other nationality they hold, and demonstrate that they possess the Spanish language and basic knowledge of Panamanian geography, history, and political organization.”
- “Foreigners with three consecutive years of residence in the territory of the Republic who have children born in Panama to a Panamanian father or mother, or a spouse of Panamanian nationality, provided they make the declaration and present proof as described in the previous paragraph.”
- “Nationals by birth from Spain or a Latin American state, if they fulfill the same requirements that are demanded in their country of origin for Panamanians to naturalize.”
More Information on Immigration Law
Uribe & Asociados has lawyers specialized in immigration matters. We help you choose among the existing alternatives that best suit your needs.
There are several benefits you can acquire by becoming a Panamanian citizen. For example, you will be able to practice all professions, engage in retail trade, have the right to vote, and obtain a passport.
To enter Panama, you must have a valid passport with a minimum of 3 months’ validity, a visa (if applicable), a return or onward travel ticket, proof of financial means of at least $500.00, and your stay may not exceed a maximum period of 90 days.
FAQ
If your case involves a namesake, deportation, or you left the country under voluntary return and wish to return to Panama, contact our team of specialists to consult on how to proceed with the request to lift the restriction. For this type of procedure, you must grant us a power of attorney from the country where you are located, which must be apostilled or authenticated by the Panamanian consulate.
To apply for this type of permanent residence, the main requirement is that the interested foreigner invests the sum of 300,000.00 balboas in real estate or a fixed-term deposit, or a combination of both. If you wish to know more information, do not hesitate to contact our office.
Foreign retirees and/or pensioners who apply for this type of permanent residence are entitled to several benefits in the Republic of Panama: a 15% discount on the total bill for services at hospitals and private clinics; a 10% discount at pharmacies on the cost of medications purchased with a medical prescription; a 25% discount on the fixed charge for telephone service; a 25% discount on water consumption rates; a 50% discount on passport fees; discounts on public transportation fares; a 50% discount on tickets for recreational and entertainment activities and other public shows; minimum discounts on regular prices for hotels, motels, and guesthouses; a 25% discount on individual meal consumption at any restaurant; a 20% discount on fees for technical and professional services; a 20% discount on the price of all prostheses as well as all assistive devices and accessories; and a 50% discount on expenses or closing commissions on personal and commercial loan transactions carried out in their name at banks, financial institutions, and credit institutions.
Businesses that fail to comply with Law No. 6 of June 16, 1987, will face fines ranging from $50 to $5,000.
If you wish to learn about more benefits, do not hesitate to consult us.
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