Key Facts
- The Panama family reunification visa lets a Panamanian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident of two or more years request legal status for immediate relatives.
- Eligible dependents are a foreign spouse, children under 18, relatives with a disability, and parents. Children aged 18 to 25 can qualify as full-time students who depend economically on the resident.
- Residency begins with a temporary residence ID valid for 6 months, followed by a provisional residence ID valid for 2 years, with permanent residency available afterward.
At Kraemer & Kraemer, we guide people through every stage of this family based immigration process, from the first family application to the permanent residency card. Our work is bringing families together in Panama with documents that are complete, notarized, and filed correctly with the National Immigration Service.
What is a Panama family reunification visa?
Under the Panama family reunification program, also known as Family Regrouping Visa, a citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident for two (2) or more years may request residence for dependents, defined as foreign spouse, children under 18 years of age, relatives with disability, or parents.
Dependent children between the ages of 18 and 25 may qualify for this visa, provided that they are full-time students and under the economic dependence of the Panamanian resident.
This Panama family reunification visa built around bringing families together, is one of the family based immigration routes available in Panama. It is built for relatives of someone who already lives in the country legally, which is why the status of the Panamanian resident matters as much as the dependent’s own documents.
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Immediate Relatives Who Qualify
The following immediate relatives can be included in the family application:
- A foreign spouse.
- Children under 18 years of age.
- Relatives with a disability.
- Parents.
- Children between 18 and 25 years of age who are full-time students and economically dependent on the Panamanian resident.
Legal Basis for Family Based Immigration in Panama
Residency for dependents falls under the immigration regime created by Decree Law 3 of 2008, which established the National Immigration Service, and regulated by Executive Decree 320 of 2008. The National Immigration Service’s own form for dependents of residents cites article 224 as the basis for including a spouse, minor children, relatives with a disability, and parents.
Bringing Families Together: How the Family Reunification Program Works
Once the application is approved, the National Immigration Service provides a temporary residence ID valid for 6 months, followed by a provisional residence ID valid for 2 years, with the option to apply for permanent residence afterward.
- Step 1: Gather the documents: The notarized power of attorney and application, photographs, passport copy, criminal background check, certificate of good health, proof of kinship, and the Panamanian resident’s affidavit, letter of responsibility, and proof of economic solvency.
- Step 2: File the family application: The family reunification visa application goes to the National Immigration Service together with the certified checks in favor of the National Treasury and the National Immigration Service.
- Step 3: Temporary residence ID: Once the application is approved, you receive a temporary residence ID valid for 6 months.
- Step 4: Provisional residence ID: The temporary ID is followed by a provisional residence ID valid for 2 years.
- Step 5: Permanent residency: After holding provisional residency for at least 2 years, you apply for permanent residency with the same documentation, without repeating the criminal background check or the government checks.
Provisional Residency
Provisional residency is the first stage of the family reunification visa application. The dependent files the documents and certified checks, and the Panamanian resident supports the application with an affidavit, a letter of responsibility, and proof of economic solvency.
The requirements include:
- Notarized Power of Attorney and Application.
- Three (3) photographs.
- Notarized passport copy.
- Criminal Background Check.
- Certificate of good health.
- Certified Check for USD $250 in favor of the National Treasury.
- Certified Check for USD $800.00 in favor of the National Immigration Service.
- Affidavit Form of Personal Background from the Panamanian resident.
- Notarized letter of responsibility from the Panamanian resident.
- Proof of kinship, such as Marriage Certificate (valid only for 6 months) or Birth Certificate (valid only for 6 months).
- If the applicant is between 18 and 25 years old:
- Certificate of an educational center of his or her status as a full-time student.
- Sworn declaration of singleness.
- Proof of economic solvency, which may be accredited by one of the following:
- Income taxes, with paz y salvo, showing a minimum income of USD $1.000 monthly, plus USD $100.00 per dependent.
- Work reference letter with its corresponding tab from CSS, and copy of the work permit.
- Bank reference letter, with a balance of no less than four average figures.
If the dependent child is adopted, the following documentation is also required:
- Letter of responsibility from the adopting parent.
- Birth Certificate (valid only for 6 months) from the Panama Civil Registry.
- Authenticated copy of adoption approval.
- Copy of foreign ID from the adopted applicant.
Permanent Residency
The application for permanent residence under the family reunification program requires the same documentation listed above along with the provisional residency. It is not necessary to present the criminal background check and the checks for the National Treasury and the National Immigration Service.
The family reunification visa requirements to obtain Permanent Residency are as follows:
- Submission of your provisional residency.
- The applicant must have held the provisional residency for at least 2 years.
Cost and Fees of the Family Reunification Visa
Below are the main government costs of the family reunification visa, charged per dependent and per stage. The first dependent is included in the base price of each stage, and every additional dependent is charged by age, under 12 or 12 and older. These figures do not include other government costs, such as the processing card (carné de trámite), notarizations in Panama, and registration. Legal fees are not part of this table and are paid separately.
Provisional Residency (Government)
Permanent Residency (Government)
Payments follow the structure used for each stage: three installments for provisional residency (initial retainer, application submission, and application completion) and two for permanent residency (initial retainer and application submission).
Add to Order and Start your Process Now
At Kraemer & Kraemer, we offer an online platform to start your Panama Family Reunification Visa process in a few simple steps. Select your residency stage and the number of dependents, and pay securely via credit card, bank transfer, or Bitcoin. Just review the fee breakdown and click “Add to Order” to get started. Our team of experts will contact you as soon as possible.
(Provisional Residency)
First Dependant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1300
Total:$3200
(Permanent Residency)
First Dependant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1000
Total:$1800
