Panama Permanent Residency Services
Overview
Panama permanent residency involves selecting the appropriate program, gathering the required documents, and completing the application before the immigration authorities. At Kraemer & Kraemer, our attorneys assist clients with the legal and administrative steps involved in the process.
Because each residency category has different requirements and timelines, we provide guidance based on your situation and objectives. Our team supports you from the initial eligibility review through document preparation and representation before the National Immigration Service.
How to Get Permanent Residency in Panama
Panama grants permanent residency through different immigration categories, and the process varies depending on the legal basis of the application. Some programs require a provisional residence period before permanent status, while others allow immediate permanent residency.
Before applying, it is important to confirm which category fits your case, since that determines the documents, filing route, and timeline. The steps below provide a general overview of how most applications move through the process.
Panama Residency Programs
Panama offers several residency programs for investors, retirees, and applicants with family ties to the country.
Below, you will find three of the main residency programs applicants consider, along with other residency options available in Panama.
Friendly Nations Visa
For nationals of eligible countries who can show economic or professional ties to Panama through employment or a qualifying investment.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
For foreign nationals seeking permanent residency through a qualifying investment in Panama, including approved real estate, securities, or fixed-term deposit options.
Pensionado Visa
For individuals who receive a lifetime pension or retirement income and want to obtain permanent residency in Panama.
Other Residency Options
These programs are based on personal, professional, or family circumstances.
Panama Permanent Residency by Investment
Although Panama does not grant citizenship directly through investment, it offers investor residency programs that can lead to permanent residency and may open the door to naturalization later, subject to legal requirements.
Panama Residency Quotes
Request a free quote for your specific residency program. Our team will review your profile and provide a full breakdown of government fees, legal fees, and processing timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panama permanent residency does not affect your current nationality. If you later apply for citizenship, the legal process includes a formal requirement to renounce your civil and political ties with your country of origin. It is important to note that the legal systems in many countries (such as the United States) do not consider this oath to be legally significant. For example, a person will not lose their U.S. citizenship unless they formally renounce it directly with the U.S. Department of State.
Panama offers investment-based residency options such as the Qualified Investor Visa, based on approved real estate, securities, or bank deposits. Other categories may also involve qualifying investments, depending on the program.
Costs vary depending on the residency category. Most applicants should expect government fees, document legalization costs, medical certificates, and legal fees. Some programs also require maintaining a qualifying investment.
Contact Us
Contact us to learn more about how to start your Panama permanent residency process. Visit our Fees schedule to learn more about the costs.