There are a number of ways to become a legal resident of Panama. All of them require traveling to Panama and your presence when the application is filed.

Residency visas in general:

• Applications must be made through a Panamanian lawyer.
• The only age requirement for all visas, EXCEPT the Pensioner visa, is that applicants must be over 18 years of age. Those under 18 must apply as dependents. The Pensioner visa is explained on this page.
• Documents from outside Panama presented to Panamanian authorities must be authenticated by a Notary and by the Panamanian consulate nearest your present location, or by Notary and the Apostille. The Apostille is a faster way of authenticating documents and is available through the State Department in your state (in USA) or through the Foreign Office (in the UK or Canada).
• Documents must be current, within 4 months of the anticipated visa issue and passports can be no less than one year from expiring.
• Dependents to be covered under the visa must be accounted for with a newly issued marriage license (spouse) or birth certificates (children).
• Visa applications require that you obtain a health certificate in Panama.
• Visa applications require a clean police record from your most recent place of residence.
• All applications require between six and nine passport size photos (suit and tie/sleeved blouse or dress.)
• None of the visas discussed here include work permits.

Visit the following page for more information on Panama's fantastic Pensioned Tourist Program.

Rentista Retirado - The Private Income Retiree Visa or Immediate Passport Program

This is the visa we recommend for those who do not have a government or similar pension that provides more than $500 monthly income but who have received a retirement lump sum. The retirement funds are deposited into a five-year certificate of deposit (CD) with the National Bank of Panama, and must yield at least $750 monthly. At present rates, the deposit should be about US$200,000. This visa is renewable every 5 years, so long as the CD is renewed. It does include a traveling Panama passport (though not citizenship) and exemption from duties for importing household goods and bi-annual exemption from auto-importation duties.

Ask us for more information on:

• Self-Economic Solvency Visa - requires purchase of a property worth a minimum US$300,000 or purchase of a CD in a Panamanian bank worth a minimum US$300,000 or purchase of a property worth a minimum US$120,000 and CD worth US$180,000.

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