Family Visa

1. Power of attorney and application through a lawyer (notary public).

2. Three (3) passport-size photographs of the applicant.

3. Duly certified copy of the applicant's passport (notarized or corresponding document).

4. Apostilled criminal record certificate of the applicant.  There are cases in which this type of document does not exist in the applicant's country of origin. In such cases, the interested party must provide a certification from a diplomatic agent or consular agent of their country of origin accredited in the Republic of Panama. Said certification must confirm the non-existence of said certificate in the applicant's country of origin.

5. Health certificate issued by a qualified physician in the Republic of Panama.

6. Certified check for US$250.00 payable to the National Treasury; (the client may provide this or we can arrange it – certification cost per check US$10.70). This check must be provided by the account holder.

7. Affidavit of Personal Background form. It must be completed and signed by the applicant.

8. Marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry.

9. Birth certificate of the Panamanian spouse, issued by the Civil Registry.

10. Birth certificates of children, if any, issued by the Civil Registry.

11. Copy of the Panamanian spouse's valid identity card, authenticated by the Civil Registry.

12. Notarized letter of responsibility from the Panamanian spouse.

13. Document proving the marital residence (a utility bill for the residence is sufficient: utility bill or lease agreement or any other document that proves it).

1. Power of Attorney and Application (notarized and with the respective fiscal stamps). A Judicial Representative is indispensable.

2. Three (3) passport-size photographs.

3. Duly certified copy of the passport (notarized or authenticated as applicable).

4. Criminal Record Certificate (in the case that the minor is of legal age).

5. Health Certificate issued by a qualified Panamanian physician.

6. Certified check for B/.250.00 payable to the National Treasury.

7. Certified check for B/.800.00 payable to the National Immigration Service.

8. Affidavit of Personal Background form.

9. Sworn statement before a Notary by the father or mother of the minor, stating that the applicant has fulfilled their duties as a good parent.

10. Birth certificate of the children, issued by the Panamanian Civil Registry.

11. Notarized Letter of Responsibility from the resident or national.

12. Document proving domicile (utility bill, rental contract, or any other document that proves it).

1. Power of attorney and application through a lawyer (notary public)

2. Three (3) passport-size photographs of the applicant

3. Duly certified copy of the applicant's passport (notarized or corresponding order).

4. Apostilled criminal record certificate of the applicant.  There are cases in which this type of document does not exist in the applicant's country of origin. In this case, the interested party must provide a certification from a diplomatic agent or consular agent of their country of origin accredited in the Republic of Panama. This certification must confirm the non-existence of such a certificate in the applicant's country of origin.

5. Health certificate issued by a qualified physician in the Republic of Panama.

6. Certified check for US$250.00 payable to the National Treasury (the client may provide this or we can arrange it for a certification fee of US$10.70). This check must be provided by the applicant.

7. Certified check for US$800.00 payable to the National Immigration Service.

8. Affidavit of Personal Background Form. Must be completed and signed by the applicant.

9. Notarized letter of responsibility from the resident or national.

10. Proof of kinship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or court record).

11. Applicants who are of legal age and under 25 years of age must provide:

• Certificate from an educational institution confirming their status as a full-time, regular student.

• Affidavit of single status.

12. Proof that the resident has sufficient financial solvency, which may be accredited in one of the following ways:

• Income tax return with a clean record, which must show a minimum income of B/1,000.00 per month, plus B/100.00 for each dependent.

• Updated letter of employment with the respective CSS checkbook or file and a copy of the work permit.

• Bank reference letter with a minimum of four average figures.

To work legally in Panama, a foreign national must review their immigration status and the possibility of applying for the corresponding work permit. The requirements may vary depending on the residence category, type of employment and applicable labor regulations.

In many cases, the immigration process and the work permit must be coordinated either in parallel or successively before the competent authorities, depending on the applicable category and the applicant’s specific situation. Certain specific categories, such as those linked to Multinational Company Headquarters (SEM), may have particular rules that must be reviewed according to the applicable regulations and the specific case. 

To apply for a work visa or work permit in Panama, it is normally necessary to have an applicable immigration category or an immigration process pending before the National Immigration Service. In some cases, both processes may be coordinated in parallel.

The Work Permit will be subject to the requirements established by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development. These requirements may vary depending on the immigration category, type of residence, profession, employer and labor regulations in force.

• Permanent residents.

• Temporary residents.

• For humanitarian reasons (melting pot).

• Foreign professionals.

• Family reunification.

• Spouse of Panamanian nationality.

• Within 10% of ordinary staff.

• Expert or technician within 15%.

• Panama-Italy Treaty.

• Marrakech Agreement.

NOTE: The requirements for applying for a work permit may vary depending on the type of residence permit, immigration category and labor regulations in force. 

To hire foreign personnel in Panama, it is necessary to review in advance the professional’s immigration and labor status, as well as the residence category, applicable work permit and documentation that the employing company must provide. 

When a foreign professional is to be transferred to work in Panama or for a Panamanian company, it is necessary to analyze which immigration and labor category may fit the case. 

There are different ways for a Panamanian company to hire foreign personnel, depending on nationality, professional profile, immigration category, labor situation and the requirements established by the competent authorities. 

If the worker does not yet have a residence permit in Panama, the company must evaluate which immigration category may be applicable according to the worker’s profile, the company’s activity and the available documentation. 

It must also be reviewed whether the case may fit within specific labor categories, such as the permitted percentage of foreign personnel, applicable agreements or special permits, always subject to the documentation required by the immigration and labor authorities.

Foreigners who have married a Panamanian national and who live with them in unique, stable, and continuous conditions may apply for this permit. Once the two-year provisional permit has expired, the foreigner may apply for permanent residence. This is considered a Family Reunification Permit.

The advantage of applying for this permit for a citizen of a friendly country is that this type of permit only requires the presentation of a check to the national treasury for US$250.00, unlike, for example, the permit under the Friendly Countries category, which requires the payment of two checks: one for US$250.00 and one for US$800.00 for expatriation expenses, which must be paid to the National Immigration Service.

This type of permit, considered to be for family reunification, is legally referred to as: Provisional Permanent Resident Permit for Demographic Reasons and Family Reunification as Foreigners with Panamanian Children. This type of Residence Permit applies to foreigners who have one or more Panamanian children aged five (5) or older and is created out of the need to preserve family unity and guarantee the rights of minors.

It is important to emphasize that if the minor is under five (5) years of age, this type of Family Reunification Permit cannot be applied for, and the minor's parents or guardians must seek another type of visa until the minor reaches the specified age.

An application as a dependent of a permanent resident may be assessed for spouses, minor children, relatives with disabilities or dependent parents, provided that the family relationship, economic dependency and applicable immigration requirements are proven.

Children over the age of 18 and up to 25 may be applied for as dependents, provided they can prove that they are studying regularly and are financially dependent on the resident or national.

Note: Residents or nationals who can prove that they have custody or guardianship of a minor may apply for them as dependents. This permit will be granted on a provisional basis for a term of two (2) years, with the right to permanent residence.

The price for applying for a Residence Permit for Family Reunification consists of the following expenses: (notary fees, registration fees, stamps, transaction fees, transportation, certificates, proof of kinship, SNM registration, etc., including processing card, residence card, and multiple-entry visa) and legal fees.

Family Reunification as Panamanian children

The total cost is US$1,696.00. Below is a breakdown of the price

Expenses:

The total cost of the applicant's expenses is US$496.00. Breakdown below:

• National Migration Service expenses: US$299.00 (two hundred and ninety-nine US dollars).

• Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).

• Ministry of Labor fees (work permit): US$137.00 (one hundred thirty-seven US dollars).

Legal fees:

The total cost of the applicant's legal fees is US$ 1,200.00 (one thousand two hundred US dollars).

The total cost does not include the payment of:

• Check payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant and dependent: US$ 250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).

• Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant and dependent: US$800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).

Family reunification as a dependent of a permanent resident

The total cost is US$1,559.00. The breakdown of the price is as follows:

Expenses:

The total cost of the applicant's expenses is US$359.00. Breakdown below:

• National Immigration Service fees: US$299.00 (two hundred and ninety-nine US dollars).

• Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).

Legal fees:

The total cost of the applicant's legal fees is US$1,200.00 (one thousand two hundred US dollars).

The total cost does not include the payment of:

• Check payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant: US$ 250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).

• Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant: US$ 800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).

Family reunification as a married spouse of a national

The total cost is US$1,696.00. The breakdown of the price is as follows:

Expenses:

The total cost of the applicant's expenses is US$496.00. The breakdown is as follows:

• Expenses for the National Immigration Service: US$299.00 (two hundred and ninety-nine US dollars).

• Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).

• Ministry of Labor fees: US$137.00 (one hundred thirty-seven US dollars).

Legal fees:

The total cost of the applicant's legal fees is US$1,200.00 (one thousand two hundred US dollars).

The total cost does not include the payment of:

• Checks payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant: US$ 250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).

NOTE: In this case, there is no check payable to the National Immigration Service.

The application for Family Reunification in Panama must be filed according to the procedure required by the National Immigration Service and, where applicable, through a licensed attorney in Panama. The file must comply with the applicable legal, documentary and family requirements. 

Family reunification may be based on different family situations, so each case should be reviewed individually before filing the application. 

The resolution timeline may vary depending on the category, documentation submitted, administrative review, additional information requests and the internal processing times of the National Immigration Service.

The documents or requirements demanded by Panamanian legislation in order to apply for a Family Reunification Visa depend on the relationship that the applicant has with the person to be reunited. 

The cost of a Family Reunification Visa varies depending on the type of Reunification Visa requested and the number of dependents per applicant. It should be noted that requirements may vary, as may the costs involved, so it is best to consult our experts.