1. What is the Panama Pensionado Visa (Retiree Pensioner Visa)?
It is a residency permit for foreigners who receive a lifelong pension of at least US$1,000 from a foreign government, international organization, or private company.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
Foreigners with a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000/month.
3. Do I need to be retired?
No. The requirement is having a retirement or pension income, not being retired.
4. What is the minimum monthly pension required?
US$1,000, granted for life.
5. Must the pension be lifelong?
Yes.
6. Can multiple pensions be combined?
Yes, especially between spouses.
7. Do private company pensions qualify?
Yes.
8. Do military or disability pensions qualify?
If they meet the definition of “retirement or pension” and are lifelong, yes.
9. Do savings or investments qualify?
No.
10. Do I need to show a minimum bank balance?
No.
11. Can I include my spouse?
Yes.
12. Do I need additional income to include my spouse?
If the main applicant needs to add a dependent, he must receive a lifetime pension of at least US$1,250.00 per month.
13. Can I include dependent children?
Yes.
14. Age limit for dependent children?
Up to 25, if in full-time studies.
15. Do children get permanent residence?
No, except children with proven profound disabilities.
16. Must dependent children show student status?
Yes—must be in full-time studies to remain dependents.
17. Do dependents need background checks?
Yes.
18. What documents are required?
As listed: Power of Attorney, application form, photos, notarized passport copy, background check, health certificate, affidavit, pension letter.
19. Must documents be apostilled/legalized?
Yes—police clearance certificates and marriage certificates must be apostilled or legalized. All documents issued by a foreign government must be legalized at the Panamanian Consulate in the country of issuance or authenticated through an apostille certificate issued by the foreign government of the country of issuance. If the foreign document is legalized by a Panamanian Consulate, the document must be validated by the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panama before it is submitted to the National Migration Service.
20. Do translations need to be done in Panama?
Yes, the translation must be done in Panama by a Panamanian certified translator.
21. Is a criminal background certificate required?
Yes, for applicant and dependents.
22. How recent must the background check be?
It must be submitted to the National Migration Service within six months of its issuance. In other words, the criminal record certificate must be recently issued. “Recently issued” means issued within six months; otherwise, it will be considered expired. Some background checks have a validity period of only three months.
23. Do I need a medical certificate?
Yes. Issued by a licensed Panamanian doctor or clinic. The certificate of good health must bear the physician’s signature, his stamp, and the clinic’s stamp.
24. What is the Personal Background Affidavit Form?
A form that must be completed by the applicant, which may be filled out by hand in English.
25. Do passport copies need notarization?
Yes—must be authenticated by a Panamanian Notary Public.
26. What documents prove my pension?
A certification of retirement or pension stating the amount and that it is lifelong.
27. Additional documents for private company pensions?
Yes:
Letter from the pension administration company,
Certification of the company’s existence and validity,
Bank payment receipt or statement.
28. Is the original pension letter required?
Yes, National Migration Service only accepts original documents.
29. How long does the process take?
1-6 months.
30. How many visits to immigration are required?
The applicant must visit the National Migration Service office at least twice.
31. Do applicants receive a temporary residency card?
Once the paperwork is submitted, the applicants are photographed at the National Migration Service and are issued a temporary resident card. This card states that they hold a multiple-entry and exit visa. This means that applicants may leave the country and return during the processing period, which ranges from one to six months.
32. How long is the temporary card valid?
It is usually valid for six months.
33. Do I need to stay in Panama during the process?
Applicants need to visit the National Migration Service office to submit their application and receive their temporary residency cards. Once that occurs, they may either remain in Panama during the process or leave and return when the decision is issued. At that time, they will need to visit the National Migration Service office with their lawyer to be formally notified of the decision on their application and to be photographed and issued their permanent residency cards.
34. Can I travel during the process?
Yes.
35. How long to receive the permanent resident card?
It usually takes from 1 to six months.
36. Do I need a lawyer?
Yes, it is mandatory to grant a power of attorney to a Panamanian licensed lawyer or a Panamanian law firm to represent you during the application process.
37. Is the visa permanent?
Yes. The permit is indefinite and does not require renewal; it grants permanent resident status. After five years, applicants may apply for naturalization to become Panamanian citizens, should they choose to do so.
38. Do I need to renew anything?
No, the permit itself does not require renewal. However, applicants who change their address in Panama must report it to the National Migration Service.
39. Can I lose residency for staying out of Panama too long?
Yes. If you remain outside of Panama for two consecutive years or longer, you may lose your permanent resident status. Additionally, a monetary fine may be imposed for prolonged absence.
40. Can Pensionado residents apply for citizenship?
Yes.
41. Can Pensionado (retiree/pensioner) residents work?
They are expected to be retired and therefore are not permitted to work under this residency category.
42. Can residents open or run a business?
Yes.
43. Can I obtain a Panamanian ID (e-cedula)?
Permanent residents are issued a permanent resident card by the National Migration Service of Panama. They must then apply for a permanent resident card at Panama’s Electoral Tribunal. The permanent resident card issued by the Electoral Tribunal is known as the E-Cedula. Once a permanent resident becomes a Panamanian citizen, he or she is then issued a national identity card.
44. Will foreign pensions be taxed in Panama?
No.
45. Can Pensionado residents open a bank account?
Yes.
46. Do banks require a minimum deposit?
Yes.
47. Can Pensionados import household goods tax-free?
Yes.
48. What discounts do Pensionados receive?
Extensive benefits across multiple categories of goods and services.
49. Can a Pensionado resident buy property or invest in Panama?
Yes. Pensionado residents can purchase property and make investments without restrictions.
50. Does the Pensionado Visa allow me to obtain a driver’s license in Panama?
Yes. Permanent residents may begin the process to obtain a Panamanian driver’s license from scratch or convert their foreign driver’s license into a Panamanian one.
For more information, please contact us:
Law Office of Attorney Edgardo Espinosa
Immigration Lawyer
Phone/WhatsApp: +507 6772-4739
Email: info@lawyerinpanama.com
Address: Century Tower Building, Ricardo Joaquin Alfaro Avenue,
Bethania District, Panama City, Republic of Panama.