Practice area
Immigration & Residency in Panama
Can I live, work, retire or invest in Panama as a foreigner?
We guide foreigners through Panama's residency, visa and work permit procedures before the National Immigration Service (SNM) and the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL): from choosing the right category to filing, follow-up and your residency card.
Where to start
- Pensionado (retiree) visa Permanent residency with a lifetime pension from US$1,000 a month. Full guide in English.
- Rentista Retirado Residency based on interest from a 5-year fixed-term deposit at a Panamanian state bank.
- Qualified investor permanent residency · in Spanish Permanent residency linked to a qualifying investment in Panama.
- Real estate investment residency · in Spanish Temporary residency category for foreigners who invest in Panamanian real estate.
- Friendly Nations work permit · in Spanish Work permit available to nationals of countries on Panama's Friendly Nations list.
- Remote worker short stay · in Spanish Short-stay category for people who work remotely for employers or clients abroad.
- Marriage to a Panamanian · in Spanish Permanent residency for spouses of Panamanian nationals.
What we handle
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Permanent residency
Pensionado (retiree), qualified investor, marriage to a Panamanian, Panamanian children, professionals and other permanent categories.
Details and 15 procedures, in Spanish -
Temporary residency
Real estate investment, work-based residency, family reunification, self-employment and other temporary categories.
Details and 11 procedures, in Spanish -
Work permits (MITRADEL)
Work permits for professionals, technical experts, Friendly Nations nationals, multinational headquarters, Colón Free Zone and Panamá Pacífico.
Details and 17 procedures, in Spanish -
Resident visas
Visas linked to residency categories for professionals, investors, students and religious workers.
Details and 5 procedures, in Spanish -
Short-stay visas and extensions
Tourist, transit, multiple-entry, business, medical, remote worker and other short-stay visas, and their extensions.
Details and 18 procedures, in Spanish -
Naturalization
Panamanian nationality by naturalization once the legal residency requirements are met.
Details and 2 procedures, in Spanish -
Regularization programs
Regularization processes, humanitarian protection and immigration fines.
Details and 6 procedures, in Spanish -
Immigration procedures
Change of residency category, travel history certificates and transfer of immigration records.
Details and 3 procedures, in Spanish -
Appeals and administrative defense
Reconsideration and appeals against SNM decisions, and lifting of immigration holds.
Details and 6 procedures, in Spanish