Apply for your Residency

The Investor Residency Permit or Investor Visa may be assessed for foreign nationals who meet the legal, economic and documentary requirements established by the applicable immigration regulations.

Common modalities may include investments in real estate, fixed-term deposits or other instruments admitted under current regulations, always with properly supported funds and documentation subject to review by the competent authorities.

Processing times may vary depending on the category, documentation submitted, administrative review and the criteria of the immigration authority.

The Residence Permit under the Friendly Nations category may be assessed for nationals of countries that maintain recognized relations with the Republic of Panama, provided that the applicable legal, economic and documentary requirements are met.

This permit is initially granted for a period of two (2) years to those who apply for the subcategory of Permanent Resident, as foreigners, nationals of countries that maintain friendly relations with the Republic of Panama.

List of Friendly Countries: Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, South Korea, Denmark, Spain, United States, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, etc. 

The Residence Permit for Retirees or Pensioners is reserved for all foreigners who receive a retirement or pension from a foreign government, international organization, or private company, and who enter the country to settle there, with 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 US$1,000.00 or its equivalent in foreign currency, and must be granted for life. 

The regulations refer to it as a Provisional Permanent Resident Permit for Foreign Professionals. This type of visa for professionals may be applied for by any foreign professional, provided that the profession in question is not restricted by the Constitution of the Republic of Panama to nationals who are either born or naturalized.

• Provisional Residence Permit for Foreigners Married to a Panamanian National: Foreigners who have married a Panamanian national and who live with them in a unique, stable, and continuous relationship may apply for this permit.

• Residence Permit for Panamanian Children: This type of visa, considered to be for family reunification, is legally known as:
  Provisional Permanent Resident Permit for Demographic Reasons and Family Reunification as Foreigners with Panamanian Children.

This type of visa applies to foreigners who have one or more Panamanian children aged five (5) or older. 

• Residence Permit as a Dependent of a Permanent Resident: Foreign spouses, children under 18, relatives with disabilities, and parents who are dependents of a two-year provisional resident, permanent resident, or Panamanian national may apply for a Residence Permit as a Dependent of a Permanent Resident.

Permits linked to Multinational Company Headquarters (SEM) may be assessed for foreign workers hired by companies that have obtained this category, provided that the applicable immigration, labor and documentary requirements are met.

There are three types of visas for employees of Multinational Company Headquarters:

• SEM Permanent Staff Permit or Visa. The SEM Permanent Staff Visa is granted to foreigners who will hold administrative or executive positions within the company. Holders of this type of visa do not need a work permit.

• SEM Temporary Staff Permit or Visa. The SEM Temporary Staff Visa is requested for foreign personnel who will be performing an activity within the company for a short period of time. Holders of this type of visa do not need a work permit.

• Permit or Visa for Special Events (SEM). The Visa for Special Events (SEM) can be requested by workers who come to the country for a specific event, provided that their nationality requires a visa to enter Panama.

The Residence Permit for Students can be requested by foreigners who wish to study full-time at public or private educational institutions at basic, intermediate, higher, and specialized levels recognized by the Ministry of Education. 

The regulations refer to this permit as: Provisional Permanent Resident Permit for Experts or Technicians Within the 15% of Specialized Personnel.

This permit may be assessed for foreigners hired by a company as experts or technicians, provided that the applicable labor, salary, immigration and documentary requirements are met.

The legislation refers to this permit as: Provisional Permanent Resident Permit for Foreign Personnel Hired by Private Companies Within 10% of Regular Personnel.

This permit may be assessed for foreigners hired by a private company, provided that the company and the worker comply with the applicable labor percentages, salary requirements, documentation and immigration criteria.