The Panamanian legislation provides the opportunity to obtain a temporary or permanent residence in Panama for foreign citizens who wish to settle in the country and live indefinitely in the national territory. Allowing him to enjoy multiple benefits including, after at least 3 years of residency, naturalize as a Panamanian citizen and obtaining the right to identity card and passport.
Requests for Temporary Resident or Permanent Resident permits submitted to the National Immigration Service require the following:
All applications must be presented by a legal representative, in accordance with the requirements established for each category of visa or permit, in addition,
- Copy of the entire passport notarized by a Panama Public Notary, or accompanied by the certification of the diplomatic representation accredited in the country or the corresponding authority in the place of issuance. When deemed necessary for security reasons, the National Immigration Service may require the applicant to certify the authenticity of the passport.
- Certificate of criminal record of the country of origin or residence. In those countries where this document is not issued, the applicant must provide a certificate from a diplomatic or consular agent of their country of origin accredited in the Republic of Panama, stating the inexistence of said certificate and a sworn statement before a notary public, stating that he has no criminal record.
- Health certificate issued by a qualified professional, within three months prior to the presentation of the application.
- Payment of two hundred and fifty balboas in favor of the National Treasury in concept of rights for the application of a migratory category, and of eight hundred balboas in favor of the National Migration Service as a repatriation deposit.
- Affidavit of personal history. All documentation from abroad must comply with the legalization requirements.
For more information about the requirements and procedure for temporary or permanent residence in Panama, contact us.
