Do I have to come in person to apply for a Residence Visa?
Yes, you have to come in person. Your passport needs to be registered with National Immigration Service. We would also need to include your original passport with the Visa application.
If I have a criminal record, will the Visa be denied?
Applicants to any Visa in Panama need to submit a certificate of no criminal record. If you do have a criminal record, then it will depend on the crime whether the National Immigration Service will accept your application or not, it is entirely discretionary. However, if the crime for which you were convicted is not tremendously serious there is a likelihood we can talk to the National Immigration Service and determine whether they will accept your application.
Serious cases include murder, rape, drugs, money laundering, among others.
Do I need a multiple entry-exit Visa (permit)?
Yes, any foreigner applying for a Visa needs to also apply for the multiple entry-exit Visa to travel in and out of the country while the Visa is being processed. If you do not obtain this permit, the next time you return to Panama, you will be penalized with a fine of $2,000.00. We include this multiple entry-exit Visa (permit) by default with all applications.
I am not a Pensionado, can I receive the benefits such as discounts mentioned in Law 14 of 2003?
Only if you are If are a foreign national of 60 years of age (men) or 55 (women) and also a resident of Panama, proven with your residency card or Panama ID card (cedula).
Do I need a work permit to work in Panama?
Once you become a resident of Panama, if you wish to work, you will need to apply for a work permit. However, not all Visas allow you to work in Panama. Hence it is crucial to discuss the matter with us so we can advise accordingly.
Is there citizenship by investment program in Panama?
No, there is not. To gain the Panamanian citizenship, the first step is to apply for a Visa that grants permanent residence. The second step is to determine whether you qualify as you reunite the requirements necessary to comply with Article 10 of the National Constitution of Panama:
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Foreigner with five (5) consecutive years of residence in the Republic of Panama;
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Foreigners with three (3) consecutive years of residence in the Republic of Panama that have children born in Panama, of a Panamanian mother or father or have a Panamanian spouse;
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Foreigners born in Spain or a Latin American country if it fulfills the same requirements demanded from Panamanians in those other countries.
On the other hand, Panama does offer some Residency by Investment Visa, such as the economic solvency visa, which requires an investment of USD300,000 and Reforestation Visa, which requires an investment of USD80,000.
How long can I stay in Panama as a tourist?
Citizens of countries that only require to have a valid passport to enter Panama usually can stay up to 180 days. Citizens of certain countries with restrictions can only stay up to 30 days but may request an extension.
Would you help us to open a bank account required for the Friendly Nations Visa?
Our service includes helping our clients with the bank account required for this Visa. We always give the extra mile to our clients, even go as far as arranging that at least 90% of the process to open a bank account is done before they arrive in Panama.
Can I get a Panama passport without being a citizen of Panama?
You would need to apply for the Special Retiree Visa with Special Passport. The passport does not grant the Panamanian citizenship. The Visa is valid for five (5) years, and it requires an investment in CD that must be open with the National Bank of Panama. The CD must yield at least USD850.00 in interests per month.
What happens If I leave Panama after my residence is granted and do not return for more than two years?
Recently it was decreed that if a foreigner has a permanent residence in Panama and leaves for two (2) years and up to six (6) years, he/she can request the rehabilitation of the residence by filing, through a Lawyer, a petition within 30 days re-entering the country.
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