Summary: The Panama Traveler Passport, also called the Panama Special Passport, is a travel document that shows its bearer's original nationality and does not grant Panamanian citizenship. Anyone with a specific visa, and their dependents, can apply for it and enter 88 countries without a visa.
At Kraemer & Kraemer, we support applicants through the Panama Traveler Passport process, from the bank confirmation of the Certificate of Deposit to the final application. The sections below explain who qualifies for the Panama Special Passport, what to submit, where it can take you, and the common question “can a permanent resident get a passport”.
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What Is the Panama Traveler Passport?
The Panama Traveler Passport is valid only during the validity period of the residence permit of the corresponding program. After this time, beneficiaries of this program may apply for an extension as long as the CD or investment is renewed for another five-year period.
The Panama Special Passport looks like an ordinary travel document, but it includes the original nationality of the bearer. For example, if a Chinese citizen obtains the Panama Traveler Passport, it will show that the original citizenship is Chinese rather than Panamanian.
Obtaining the Panama Traveler Passport DOES NOT grant Panamanian citizenship. Since the retiree option DOES NOT grant Panamanian citizenship, it creates no conflicts for citizens of countries that forbid dual citizenship, such as China, Ukraine, or Latvia.
Travelling with the Panama Traveler Passport
The Panama Traveler Passport allows holders to visit the following 88 countries with no further permissions or visas:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Lucia
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Palestinian Territories
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Türkiye
- Uzbekistan
- Viet Nam
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- Vatican City
- Kiribati
- Micronesia
- Angola
- South Africa
- Zambia
Besides, holders of a Panama Traveler Passport may visit the countries listed below and apply for a tourist visa at the time of entry:
- Cuba
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- India
- Iran
- Jordan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Macao
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Timor-Leste
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Palau
- Samoa
- Tuvalu
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Congo (Dem. Rep.)
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
Also, the Panama Traveler Passport also allows holders to visit the following countries with an electronic visa:
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Israel, Kenya, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, South Korea and United Kingdom.
In some destinations, such as the Seychelles, travelers must complete a tourist registration form before arrival, while a tourist card is required to enter Suriname.
Who Qualifies for the Panama Special Passport
The Panama Traveler Passport, also known as the Panama Special Passport, is a benefit for holders of one of two visas: the Private Income Retiree Visa or the Qualified Investor Visa.
Certificate of Deposit
The CD must generate interest of at least $850 per month. The required investment will depend on the interest rate at the time of creating the deposit. In 2019, interest rates are in the range of 4-5%, requiring funds for at least USD $350.000.
This CD can be renewed, or you can receive your investment plus interest after five years. However, keeping the CD open is a requirement to keep in good standing the retiree visa and the Panama Traveler Passport.
Investment for the Investor Visa
The investor visa requires funds from abroad, kept invested for at least 5 years, in real estate, Panamanian securities or a fixed-term bank deposit. The minimum is $300.000 for first-sale real estate or pre-sale projects, $500.000 for secondary-market real estate or securities, and $500.000 to $750.000 for a fixed-term deposit.
Requirements to Obtain the Panama Traveler Passport
Once the retiree visa is approved, the applicant and his dependents may also apply for the Panama Traveler Passport meeting the following requirements:
- Notarized Application and Power of Attorney.
- Three photos
- Notarized copy of passport.
- Background Check.
- Certificate of Good Health.
- Declaration of Personal Background.
- Written confirmation from the Panama National Bank or the Savings Bank, stating CD details such as amount, interest, duration, and that it is free of liens.
- Notarized copy of the Certificate of Deposit.
- If the application includes dependents:
- Letter of accountability for these dependents.
- Proof of ties between the applicant and each dependent.
- Proof of address: applicant and dependent must live in the same address.
- If the dependent is 18 years old or more, single status and student status certificate.
Application Steps for the Panama Traveler Passport
- Step 1: Open the Certificate of Deposit: a five-year CD at the Panama National Bank or the Savings Fund, free of liens.
- Step 2: Obtain the retiree visa: the visa must be approved before the passport application.
- Step 3: Gather the documents listed above: the notarized application and power of attorney, photos, passport copy, background check, certificate of good health, personal declaration, the bank’s written confirmation, and the CD copy.
- Step 4: Add the family papers: the letter of accountability, proof of ties and of the shared address and, for anyone 18 or older, the single and student status certificate.
- Step 5: File the application for the Panama Traveler Passport.
- Step 6: Keep the CD open: the passport stays valid only during the five-year life of the CD, and an extension requires renewing it for another five years.
Cost and Fees of the Panama Traveler Passport
The Panama Traveler Passport involves government application fees and legal fees, in addition to the Certificate of Deposit, which remains your own investment: you can receive it back with interest after five years. The applicable fees are paid to the Passport Authority, so request a written estimate from Kraemer & Kraemer before you start.
