Importance of Updating Residential Information

When visiting the offices of the National Immigration Service to complete the procedure of registering a new passport, or any other diligence before the Immigration Registry (RUEX), you must provide your contact details in the Republic of Panama, including residence address, phone number, email, among others. If the registered data do not match the declared ones, the Immigration Officer will apply a fine of B/.100, which must be paid before continuing with the process. For this reason, in this article we review the current regulations, the residential information update formality, and the responsibility of the foreign resident, whether temporary or permanent.

What Are the Consequences for Foreign Residents?

On July 25, 2025, the National Immigration Service (SNM) issued a statement reminding all foreign residents in the Republic of Panama of their responsibility to update their personal and residential information before this office. The statement emphasizes the consequences for noncompliance with the provisions of Decree Law 3 of February 22, 2008, regulated by Executive Decree No. 320 of August 8, 2008.

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The statement also mentions that the fine applies immediately after the publication of the announcement, which has caused confusion and concern among foreign residents in Panama.

Title X – IMMIGRATION ADMINISTRATIVE OFFENSES AND SANCTIONS, Article 313 of Executive Decree No. 320, issued on August 8, 2008, establishes that “those who violate the provisions of this regulation shall be penalized as follows”:

Meanwhile, Decree Law 3 of February 22, 2008, establishes in Article 37:

• “Every foreigner is obliged to report any change in the information that has been submitted to the Immigration Registry, within a period not exceeding thirty calendar days, counting from the day the cause for the change occurs. For personal notification purposes, the National Immigration Service will consider as valid the residence address reported in the Immigration Registry.”

What Are the Requirements for Updating?

The requirements for the residential information update are the following:

• Copy of the general data page of the passport.


• Copy of the Affiliation Registry stamp.


• Copy of ID card or resident card (as applicable).


• Copy of utility bill (electricity, water or telephone) showing the residence address.


• Letter addressed to the General Director of the National Immigration Service.


• If the request is made through a lawyer, additionally submit a notarized power of attorney.

If you have renewed your passport, you must complete the registration of your new travel ID when renewing your residential information. The process is completed quickly if all requirements are met. In the same way, the Immigration office is currently requesting that the residence card also be amended if a new passport is registered. This is a procedure that you can carry out personally, without legal assistance.

Compliance with the residential information update not only avoids penalties but also facilitates future immigration processes, residence renewals, and administrative procedures in general.

The statement from the National Immigration Service reinforces the individual responsibility of every foreigner to keep their data updated, guaranteeing legal and proper migratory status within Panamanian territory. We remind you that every foreign resident of the Republic of Panama must comply with current immigration regulations and stay informed about renewal and changes published by the SNM.

Recommendations for Foreign Residents

To all temporary and permanent residents of the Republic of Panama, we offer the following recommendations:

1. Regularly review your registered data before the National Immigration Service. Keep in mind that if you have changed any detail provided in the initial application of your immigration process, you must report it.


2. Notify any data changes within thirty (30) calendar days after the modification.


3. Keep a copy of the confirmation documents for the residential information update, in both physical and digital formats, in case of any dispute.


4. Consult your trusted lawyer in case of questions or specific circumstances.

Contact Us for Immigration Legal Assistance

We are at your disposal to support you with your residential information update and review. Contact us today to help you with all your immigration procedures in the Republic of Panama.