PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR CITIZENS OF PANAMA-FRIENDLY COUNTRIES.

This permanent residency option allows foreigners from any of the countries mentioned below, to obtain lawful permanent residency in Panama, under the condition that they will undertake an economic or professional activity of any kind in the Republic of Panama.

Citizens of the following countries may apply for permanent residence under the current residence option: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Argentina, Confederation of Australia, South Korea, Republic of Austria, Federative Republic of Brazil, Kingdom of Belgium, Canada, Kingdom of Spain, United States of America,  Slovak Republic, French Republic, Republic of Finland, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, State of Japan, Kingdom of Norway, Czech Republic, Swiss Confederation, Republic of Singapore, Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Republic of Chile, Kingdom of Sweden, Republic of Poland, Hungary, Hellenic Republic (Greece), Portuguese Republic, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Lithuania,  Latvia, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Malta, Republic of Serbia, Republic of Montenegro, State of Israel, Kingdom of Denmark, Republic of South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Principality of Liechtenstein, Principality of Monaco, Republic of Taiwan and Republic of Costa Rica.

Procedures for Applying for Residency:

1. A visit to Panama is required for the Registration of your Passport at the Immigration office. In case of being a person with multiple passports, it is necessary to enter the Republic of Panama on that trip, with the passport that will be used for the immigration process.

2. Sign the Special Power of Attorney for our firm to process your immigration documents and start the Permanent Visa process. (For the immigration visit you cannot wear shorts, sandals or tank tops).

3. Provide all required documents to the law firm.

4. Our law firm submits your application for the Permanent Visa through the Special Power of Attorney.

5. The next day after submitting the Application, we will coordinate a second visit with the applicant to the immigration offices in order to obtain a temporary card for six (6) months, so that the applicant will have it for the rest of the residency process.

1. Once you have obtained a temporary six (6) month license, you will no longer be able to drive in Panama with a foreign license. Therefore, you will need to obtain a Panamanian license in www.setracen.com.pa. For this procedure you will have to bring the following documents:

2. An authenticated copy of your current valid license, authenticated by the Consulate of Issuance of your license, located in Panama. After obtaining such authentication, you will need to obtain authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. Local laboratory results of Blood Group and Glucose Test.

   2. At the time of obtaining the temporary card of six (6) months, we will proceed to apply for a multiple entry and exit permit valid for 

   six (6) months. If you do not stay in Panama, you can leave after you have obtained the Multiple Entry and Exit Permit. We will then 

   inform you, once the final resolution is issued, so that you can plan your second trip in order to obtain the Permanent Residence card.

Note: In order to complete the above steps, we require that the applicant and any dependents schedule to be in Panama City for at least ten (10) business days to achieve registration, residency application, and multiple entry and exit permits, so that they can leave the country under their new immigration status.

1. After you submit the application, within approximately six (6) months, the Immigration Department will issue the final determination approving your permanent residence.

2. After the final resolution approving your residency has been issued, we will notify you by email, in order to proceed and coordinate obtaining your permanent residency card. To do this, you will need to bring your current temporary card to our office so that we can return it to immigration and your original passport. Two (2) days after you have given us the temporary card, we will take you to immigration personally to obtain your permanent residence cards.

Documents required (for Immigration processing):

1. Photocopy of the applicant's (and dependents') full valid passport – if applicable, including the photo page (showing the photo, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.) and all other pages, including the entry stamp into the country. This must be provided after the passport registration is registered with the Immigration Office in Panama. Please note that the passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from the date of the migration application. These photocopies can be made in our office.

2. Twelve (12) passport-size photographs of the applicant (and dependents – if applicable).

3. Certificate of Good Health issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents – if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition.  We can assist you in obtaining this document during your stay in Panama.

4. Proof of Economic Solvency:

   1. Bank Reference Letter: showing at least a four-digit average amount ($5,000.00 more) in the bank account. The bank reference letter has to be issued by a bank licensed to operate in the Republic of Panama.

   2. Bank Statement: This bank statement cannot be more than one (1) month old at the time of the application for residency, and must show at least an average monthly balance of $5,000.00 or more in the bank account. The Account Statement must have the bank's seal certifying that it is an authenticated copy and be duly signed by a bank official in blue ink. The account statement must be from a bank licensed to operate in the Republic of Panama.

5. Documentation that proves the reason why you are applying for a permanent residence in Panama based on economic activity or profession.

• Through a Panamanian corporation:

• Copy of the Public Registry Certificate showing that the applicant is the President of a Panamanian corporation.

• Authenticated copies of the Shares of the same company showing that the applicant is a shareholder of said company.

• Authenticated copy of the company's share book.

• Through an operating company offering a Job:

• Letter of Employment

• One (1) year fixed-term employment contract Employment letter

• Power to process work permit,

• Copy of the company's notice of operations.

• Copy of the company's Public Registry certification.

• Peace and security of company income,

• Copy of the foreigner's Social Security card, as well as proof of the foreigner's affiliation to the Social Security Fund.

• Police record of the country of the last two (2) years of residence, for the main applicant and any dependents over 18 years of age. The police record must contain the following premises to be valid at the time of application:

• This police record cannot be more than six (6) months old since it was issued.

• If you are a U.S. citizen, this must be a document issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

• If the criminal record certificate comes from a country other than the country of origin, you must provide proof of residence in that country duly authenticated before the Panamanian Consulate in the country where it was issued or be duly apostilled.

• If the applicant leaves Panama before filing the application, but after the police record has been issued, then the Police Record is no longer valid for immigration purposes and a new one must be obtained.

• The Police Record must be authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of its issuance or duly apostilled in the country of issuance of said police record.

1.  Documentation necessary for the proof of dependents:

2. For Spouses: Marriage Certificate

3. For Children: Birth Certificate. Children between the ages of 18 – 25 will also need proof that they are enrolled, full-time, in a university in the Republic of Panama.

4. For Parents: Applicants' Birth Certificate (for children under 18 years of age – if applicable). These documents must be authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of their issuance or duly apostilled in the country of their issuance.

Note: In order for these documents to be valid at the time of application, they must be authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of their issuance or duly apostilled in the country of their issuance.

1. Copy of utility bill showing the address where you are staying while in Panama. For utility billing, validity may be up to three (3) months from issuance at the time of application.