If I want to live in Panama, do I have to become a permanent resident?
Yolany Alvarado - ProPanama
A foreigner is considered a permanent resident in Panama, as long as he/she holds a permanent residency permit issued by the Inmigration Office of Panama. (National Migration logo, Panama, pictured.)
A foreigner is considered a permanent resident in Panama, as long as he/she holds a permanent residency permit issued by the Inmigration Office of Panama. (National Migration logo, Panama, pictured.)
Posted April 1, 2013
Chris Frochaux - Chris Frochaux - SERVMOR REALTY
Americans, Canadians and citizens of countries that have signed bi-lateral immigration agreements with Panama can enter the country without a visa and remain during 90 days. Should you decide to extend your stay or apply for a residency visa, contact an immigration attorney. Do not rely on the information available on the Internet,which might be outdated, and do not wait until the last minute. Many options are available and only a specialized attorney can help you decide which is the...
Americans, Canadians and citizens of countries that have signed bi-lateral immigration agreements with Panama can enter the country without a visa and remain during 90 days. Should you decide to extend your stay or apply for a residency visa, contact an immigration attorney. Do not rely on the information available on the Internet,which might be outdated, and do not wait until the last minute. Many options are available and only a specialized attorney can help you decide which is the most convenient for you.
Posted April 19, 2013
Roy Cannon - Gestoria Cocle - main office in Penoneme
At this time citizens of a "Visa Waiver Country" (USA and Canada, for example) can stay in Panama as a tourist for 180 days from the date of entry. At the end of this time you have to leave "for at least an hour" and then the clock starts again when you have a new stamp in your passport. Many people do this by crossing into Costa Rica at the land border near David, Chiriqui, have a meal and come back.
However, your home country...
At this time citizens of a "Visa Waiver Country" (USA and Canada, for example) can stay in Panama as a tourist for 180 days from the date of entry. At the end of this time you have to leave "for at least an hour" and then the clock starts again when you have a new stamp in your passport. Many people do this by crossing into Costa Rica at the land border near David, Chiriqui, have a meal and come back.
However, your home country driver's license is ONLY good for the first 90 days from your last entry stamp. When you get a new stamp, the clock starts again on your driver's license.
There are many (number unknown) permanent tourists in Panama who do the Costa Rica run a couple of times a year, so far with no hassles.
Posted May 10, 2013
Itzel Bultron - Activentas, S.A.
According to Panamanian law, tourists can stay in Panama up to a maximum of 180 days.
Panama offers a variety of options for those seeking to reside permanently; it’s very easy to apply and is the best option for staying. Most types of visas are designed to promote investment and stimulate the local economy in one way or another.
The Panamanian Constitution guarantees the right to own property, and...
According to Panamanian law, tourists can stay in Panama up to a maximum of 180 days.
Panama offers a variety of options for those seeking to reside permanently; it’s very easy to apply and is the best option for staying. Most types of visas are designed to promote investment and stimulate the local economy in one way or another.
The Panamanian Constitution guarantees the right to own property, and equality between nationals and foreign residents.
Posted May 30, 2013
Gloria Valderrama - Infante & Perez Almillano
If you want to move indefinitely to Panama, you need have a permanent resident permit issued by the Immigration authorities. Panama Immigration laws provide an option for retirees who would like to obtain the permanent residence in Panama by means of retirement. Individuals must comply with Immigration requirements in order to obtain the permanent residence.
If you want to move indefinitely to Panama, you need have a permanent resident permit issued by the Immigration authorities. Panama Immigration laws provide an option for retirees who would like to obtain the permanent residence in Panama by means of retirement. Individuals must comply with Immigration requirements in order to obtain the permanent residence.
Posted June 27, 2013
Roy Cannon - Gestoria Cocle - main office in Penoneme
If you want to live in Panama, you have two options.
The first option is to become a resident by applying for and obtaining one of the many visa options available, in which case your circumstances will determine which one of the visas best fits your situation.
The second option is to join many others and become a "permanent tourist". As a tourist from many countries, the USA and Canada included, you are allowed to...
If you want to live in Panama, you have two options.
The first option is to become a resident by applying for and obtaining one of the many visa options available, in which case your circumstances will determine which one of the visas best fits your situation.
The second option is to join many others and become a "permanent tourist". As a tourist from many countries, the USA and Canada included, you are allowed to stay in Panama for up to 180 days before having to leave the country. Some people comply with this regulation by making a day trip across the border to Costa Rica. There is no minimum stay out of the country specified in the Panama legislation at this time, so you can have a coffee and return. The clock starts again and you have another 180 days to enjoy Panama as a tourist.
There is one "gotcha" in this procedure. Your home country driver's license is only valid for the first 90 days of your time in Panama, dated from the last entry stamp in your passport. So if you want to drive in Panama beyond 90 days, you will either have to obtain a visa or get a new entry stamp, either at the Costa Rican border, or by flying out of Panama and returning.
If you are of retirement age, you are not legally entitled to the various discounts offered to retired people, officially, unless you are a resident with a visa of some type. Many restaurants do not bother to check your documentation and grant the discount even to tourists who ask for it.
Posted July 1, 2013
Lourdes Miranda Beiro - Miranda&Contreras Law Offices
A permanent resident is a foreigner who has decided to settle permanently in the country and has obtained a permanent residency card through one of visa programs offered by Panama. There are different types of visas that provide permanent residency in Panama, one of the most popular being The Pensioner visa and The Visa for citizens of specific countries which "maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relationships with the Republic of...
A permanent resident is a foreigner who has decided to settle permanently in the country and has obtained a permanent residency card through one of visa programs offered by Panama. There are different types of visas that provide permanent residency in Panama, one of the most popular being The Pensioner visa and The Visa for citizens of specific countries which "maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relationships with the Republic of Panama," including Canada and USA among many others.
What the above mentioned two programs have in common is that both provide permanent residency in a very fast period of time (about 4 months as of the application), while other visa programs require more than one application and around 3 years on the process in order to finally obtain the permanent residency.
Pensioned program is one of the easiest, with the main requirement to prove that the applicant has a minimum monthly pension income of $1,000.00 granted for life.
Visa for citizen of specific countries: Applicant must have a Panamanian bank account with a balance of at least US $5,000. The applicants qualify for this program by showing intention to invest in the country (no stipulation about amount of investment), for instance owning a Panamanian corporation, business, real estate property of any value.
Posted August 11, 2013
Lourdes Townshend
As in every major decision, the decision to live in Panama other than as a visitor or as a tourist, and separate from taking any advice as credible, it´s always advisable and prudent to contact a Panamanian consulate, or the the Panamanian embassy in Washington, to get straight answers. Then, I advise hiring a good, reliable and licensed attorney with good references, who will give you the "do" and "don´t" of things Panama...
As in every major decision, the decision to live in Panama other than as a visitor or as a tourist, and separate from taking any advice as credible, it´s always advisable and prudent to contact a Panamanian consulate, or the the Panamanian embassy in Washington, to get straight answers. Then, I advise hiring a good, reliable and licensed attorney with good references, who will give you the "do" and "don´t" of things Panama can offer you.
Posted September 16, 2013
Bill Hamilton - Bill Hamilton
You have to be in Panama for six months before you have to apply for a residency visa. It is three months before you get a driver’s license. You can get an extension as well.
The first time you come to Panama, you can be on a Visitor Visa. It lasts 60 days or 90 days. I’m not sure which nationality it applies to.
In order to get an extension, you can just apply here. It is a bit of a process. What a...
You have to be in Panama for six months before you have to apply for a residency visa. It is three months before you get a driver’s license. You can get an extension as well.
The first time you come to Panama, you can be on a Visitor Visa. It lasts 60 days or 90 days. I’m not sure which nationality it applies to.
In order to get an extension, you can just apply here. It is a bit of a process. What a lot of people do is go over to Costa Rica for 72 hours and come back. You can keep renewing your visitor visa for some period of time. That is the loophole at the moment. I do not know whether they closed it or not.
My wife, Mieke, and I got our residency visas after three months. It makes us legal in the country for the rest of our lives because we have the pensionado (retiree) residency visa.
You do not have to renew the pensionado residency visa. The student visa or business visa must be renewed.
(Crossing the bridge on the Sixaola River, the natural border dividing Panama and Costa Rica, pictured.)
Posted March 9, 2015