When visiting the immigration office in Panama, it is essential to dress in formal attire. At a minimum, avoid wearing sandals, shorts, and sleeveless t-shirts. Please keep in mind that you will be applying for residency or addressing legal matters; therefore, appropriate attire is necessary.
It is crucial to communicate clearly with your Panamanian freelance lawyer or law firm in Panama regarding what documents to bring and what to expect during your visit. Additionally, it is very important to inform your lawyer or law firm to provide you with a copy of the documents filed or, at the very least, a copy of the most important ones, such as payment receipts, a copy of the power of attorney, and the application submitted and accepted by the National Migration Service of Panama, among others. Keeping records is vital.
Arriving early is advisable, as there may be many applicants at the immigration office. If you are submitting financial documents that reflect a currency other than U.S. dollars, please consult your lawyer to request a foreign currency conversion letter. This letter should indicate the conversion of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars or Panamanian Balboas, as the legal tender in Panama is the U.S. dollar.
In addition, any document written in a language other than Spanish should be translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Panama. Generally, a photo will be taken of you at the immigration office, and you will then receive a temporary immigration card. This card will be valid for the processing period of your residency application, which can take between one and six months.
Please remember that all foreign documents must be apostilled at their country of origin or legalized at the Panamanian consulate of the issuing country before being presented in Panama. If the documents are apostilled, they will be accepted in Panama; however, if they are legalized by a Panamanian consulate overseas, they must be validated in Panama at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being submitted to the National Immigration Service of Panama.
You may wish to bring cash or a credit card to make any necessary payments at the immigration office. One more crucial item is the agreement or quote you receive from your lawyer or law firm, as this will outline the services to be provided and any associated fees.
If you need to translate your documents into Spanish or require an immigration lawyer in Panama, please call us at +507 6290-3468 or send us an email at info@lawyerinpanama.com.