Summary: Panama citizenship by naturalization is the route for foreigners with 5 consecutive years of residence in Panama, or 3 years with a Panamanian spouse or a child born in Panama to a Panamanian parent, as Article 10 of the Constitution sets out. Applicants declare their intention to become Panamanian, expressly renounce their nationality of origin, and prove their Spanish and basic knowledge of Panama's geography, history and political organization. The process very rarely takes less than 1 year.
At Kraemer & Kraemer, as experts in immigration law, we guide you through the process of obtaining Panama citizenship by naturalization. This route is intended for Panamanian permanent residents.
Panama citizenship by naturalization is one of the most common legal processes that allows foreigners to go from residents to citizens, if they comply with the requirements of the Constitution. Panama naturalization grants them the same rights and duties as Panamanian nationals.
What Is the Legal Basis for Panama Citizenship by Naturalization?
Article 10 of the Constitution of Panama is the legal basis of Panama citizenship by naturalization: it allows foreigners to request Panamanian nationality after 5 consecutive years of residence in the country. The period falls to 3 years for those who have children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent, or a Panamanian spouse. In both cases the applicant declares the intention to become Panamanian after reaching the age of majority, expressly renounces the original nationality, and proves command of Spanish and basic knowledge of Panama’s geography, history and political organization.
Nationals by birth of Spain or of a Latin American state follow a third path to Panama citizenship by naturalization: they must meet the same requirements their country of origin asks of Panamanians who seek nationality there.
The Panama naturalization 5 years official requirement is the starting point for most permanent residents. Under Article 12, the State may still deny a request on grounds of morality, security, health, or physical or mental incapacity.
Panama Naturalization Citizenship Requirements
The requirements for Panama citizenship by naturalization fall into three groups: the time of residence, the documents and t
According to Article 10 of the Constitution, the first requirement to initiate the process is that any permanent resident aspiring to Panama citizenship by naturalization must have completed a specific period of domicile (3 to 5 years) from the time the migration office issued the resolution of such permanence, as shown below.
- As a permanent resident: Have lived in Panama for five years.
- As a permanent resident married to a Panamanian or as a parent of Panamanian children with a citizen father/mother: Have lived three years in Panama.
- As a citizen of one of the Reciprocity countries:
- 1 year: Colombia, El Salvador
- 2 years: Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru
- 3 years: Uruguay
- Police records issued by Panama and the applicant’s country of origin
- Certification of immigration status
- Authenticated copy of permanent resident ID card
- Authenticated copy of the permanent resident resolution
- Authenticated copy of the e-cedula
- Proof of economic solvency
- Income statement from DGI
- Copy of passport, authenticated by the consul of the country of origin
- Certificate of good health
People searching for the embassy of Panama naturalization requirements for foreigners should note that this list names one consular step: the passport copy, authenticated by the consul of the country of origin.
Additional requirements: After submission, the Electoral Tribunal will schedule an appointment with the applicant at a later time to test his command of Spanish and his knowledge of Panama’s history, geography, and civil rights. You can review the official study guide for the citizenship test here (in Spanish).
Panama Citizenship by Naturalization in 7 Steps
- Step 1: Confirm your route: check whether the 5-year, 3-year or reciprocity path of Article 10 applies to your Panama citizenship by naturalization, or take the free eligibility test.
- Step 2: Complete the waiting period: count the years from the date of the migration office resolution that granted your permanent residency.
- Step 3: Gather the documents: collect the police records, authenticated copies and certificates listed above.
- Step 4: File in Panama: the application is filed in Panama, and the applicant travels to Panama for the presentation.
- Step 5: Take the exam: the Electoral Tribunal schedules your appointment to test Spanish and your knowledge of Panama’s history, geography and civil rights.
- Step 6: Wait for the government decision: several entities examine the file for Panama citizenship by naturalization, and the Panamanian president approves and signs it.
- Step 7: Take the oath: once the Presidency issues the letter of naturalization to the Governor, you swear to abide by the Panamanian Constitution.
Process Timeframe for Panama Naturalization
While the process to obtain Panamanian residence usually involves the Immigration Office only, the process to obtain citizenship involves many other entities such as the Ministry of Government and Justice, the Ministry of Public Services, the Electoral Tribunal, the Government Office, and the Presidency.
All these entities will review the application, and any of them may require additional paperwork, may delay the process for internal reasons, or may actually deny the application. Besides, it is the Panamanian president who ultimately approves and signs all applications.
For that reason, the process to obtain citizenship very rarely takes less than 1 year, and it could take anywhere from 2 to 5 years to be approved.
Common Mistakes That Delay Panama Naturalization
- Counting the years from the wrong date. The period runs from the migration office resolution that granted permanent residency, not from your arrival in Panama.
- Filing too early. A temporary or provisional residency does not allow you to apply for Panama citizenship by naturalization.
- Sending plain copies. The list above asks for authenticated copies of the ID card, the resolution and the e-cedula, and any entity may request more paperwork.
- Treating the file as a consular matter. The presentation takes place in Panama, so the embassy of Panama naturalization requirements for foreigners are a starting point, and Article 10 remains the rule.
- Skipping the exam preparation. The test covers Spanish, history, geography and civil rights, and the official study guide is published by the Electoral Tribunal.
- Expecting a fast answer. Panama citizenship by naturalization depends on several entities, and approval can take years.
Panama Citizenship by Naturalization Fees and Costs
Below are the government costs of Panama citizenship by naturalization for each applicant. Unspecified charges, such as notarizations and the authentication of foreign documents, are not included, and you pay them directly. Legal fees are paid separately.
Government Costs
$1.300Per applicant
Government costs are collected in two of the three payments: a portion in the initial retainer, and the rest once the Tribunal Electoral confirms that an officer has been assigned to the case.
Add to Order and Start your Process Now
At Kraemer & Kraemer, we offer an online platform to start your Panama citizenship by naturalization process in a few simple steps. 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.
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