1. What is the Married to a Panamanian Visa?
It is a residency permit granted to foreigners who are legally married to Panamanian citizens.
2. Does the marriage need to be legally registered in Panama?
Yes. The marriage must be officially registered in the Panamanian Civil Registry of the Electoral Tribunal.
3. Can a foreign marriage certificate be used?
Yes, but it must be properly apostilled or legalized and then registered in Panama. If it is written in a language other than Spanish, it must be translated into Spanish by a Panamanian sworn translator.
4. Does the Panamanian spouse need to attend the immigration appointments?
Yes, the Panamanian spouse must accompany the foreign spouse to the National Migration Service for interviews and filings of documents.
5. Is a lawyer required?
Yes. A Panamanian licensed lawyer or law firm must represent the applicant.
6. What documents are required?
Common documents include:
• Power of Attorney
• Application form
• Marriage certificate
• Copies of passports
• Criminal background check
• Health certificate
• Affidavit of personal background
• Proof of domicile
• Copy of the Panamanian spouse’s ID (cedula)
7. Must foreign documents be apostilled/legalized?
Yes. All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized and, if legalized by a Panamanian Consulate, validated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panama.
8. Must translations be done in Panama?
Yes. All foreign documents must be translated by a certified public translator in Panama.
9. Is a criminal background check required?
Yes, issued by the applicant’s country of origin or residence within the last six months.
10. How recent must the background check be?
It must be issued within six months prior to submission, unless the issuing country provides a shorter validity period.
11. Is a health certificate required?
Yes, and it must be issued by a licensed Panamanian doctor or clinic.
12. Does the applicant need to provide proof of income?
No.
13. What proof of domicile is required?
Applicants must provide proof of residency in Panama, such as a utility bill, rental agreement, certificate of residence, or proof of domicile issued by the Justice of the Peace for the area where the couple resides.
14. Is the Panamanian spouse interviewed?
Yes. Both spouses may be interviewed to confirm the authenticity of the marriage.
15. Is the marriage investigated?
Yes, the National Migration Service may conduct an inspection to verify that the couple lives together.
16. What is the first permit issued?
A provisional temporary residency permit valid for two years.
17. How long is the provisional residency valid?
Two years.
18. What happens after the two years?
The applicant may apply for permanent residency.
19. How long does it take to obtain permanent residency?
Approximately 3–6 months after submitting the application.
20. Can permanent residency be denied?
Yes, if the marriage is found to be false, dissolved, or if required documents are missing or fraudulent.
21. Can the foreign spouse work with this visa?
Yes. This category allows the foreign spouse to obtain a work permit.
22. Can the foreign spouse apply for Panamanian citizenship?
Yes. After five years of becoming a permanent resident. If the couple has a Panamanian child, the foreign spouse may apply after three years of being a permanent resident.
23. Are interviews mandatory?
Yes, immigration authorities usually require interviews.
24. How long does the entire process take from start to finish?
Approximately 2.5 to 3 years (including provisional and permanent stages).
25. Is a temporary residency card issued?
Yes. Once the application is submitted, the applicant receives a temporary card valid for the duration of the processing period. After the application is approved, the applicant must return to the National Migration Service, where they will be photographed and issued a two-year provisional residency card.
26. How long is the temporary card valid?
Usually six months.
27. Can applicants travel during the process?
Yes, if they have the multiple entry/exit visa endorsed on their card.
28. Do applicants need to pay for the multiple entry visa?
Yes.
29. What happens if the Panamanian spouse dies?
Residency may still continue depending on circumstances; legal assistance is recommended.
30. Are same-sex marriages recognized?
In Panama, same-sex marriages are not recognized or legally valid. Only heterosexual marriages are valid under Panamanian law.
31. Must the couple show proof of cohabitation?
Yes, examples include utility bills, rental agreements, witnesses, or shared financial documents.
32. Can the applicant open a bank account?
Yes.
33. Can the applicant buy property?
Yes, with no restrictions.
34. Can the foreign spouse get a driver’s license?
Yes, after obtaining provisional residency.
35. Can a tourist marry a Panamanian and then apply?
Yes, but the marriage must first be recorded at Panama’s Electoral Tribunal.
36. Can the marriage ceremony take place in Panama?
Yes, at the Civil Registry or before a notary public.
37. Do both spouses need to be physically present for filings?
Yes.
38. Can the foreign spouse use a maiden name?
Yes. Panama does not require name changes after marriage.
39. Can the applicant change lawyers during the process?
Yes, by revoking the previous Power of Attorney and issuing a new one.
40. What happens after obtaining permanent residency?
The resident may renew their ID, work, live indefinitely in Panama, and later apply for citizenship if eligible.
41. What is the name of the visa category according to Panamanian law?
It is officially called the Provisional Resident Permit for Demographic Reasons – Family Reunification Married to a Panamanian (PPT-2 or PPT-3).
42. What is required in the notarized Power of Attorney?
The Power of Attorney must include the full names and nationalities of the applicant’s parents, in addition to authorizing the lawyer.
43. Are three photographs required?
Yes. The regulation requires three (3) photographs.
44. Must the Panamanian spouse sign a notarized letter of responsibility and repatriation?
Yes. A notarized letter of responsibility and repatriation from the Panamanian spouse is mandatory.
45. Does the Panamanian spouse’s national ID need to be authenticated?
Yes. The Panamanian spouse’s cedula must be authenticated by the Civil Registry of the Electoral Tribunal.
46. Is proof of marital domicile required?
Yes. Applicants must submit proof of the shared domicile, such as:
• a rental agreement
• a property title
• a utility bill
47. Are children from the marriage relevant to the application?
Yes. If the couple has Panamanian children, their birth certificates issued by the Civil Registry must be submitted.
48. Can the immigration interview be waived?
Yes. The National Migration Service may waive the marriage interview if the couple has two (2) Panamanian children in common.
49. Can a widowed or divorced applicant still obtain permanent residency?
Possibly. If the foreign spouse becomes widowed or divorced during the provisional residency period, they may still apply for permanent residency.
However, approval is not guaranteed.
50. What documents are required if the Panamanian spouse dies?
A death certificate of the Panamanian spouse and birth certificates of the children born in the marriage.
51. What documents are required if the couple divorces during provisional residency?
A divorce judgment, and proof that the children were born during the marriage (if applicable).
Approval is discretionary.
52. Is a $250 certified check required?
Yes. A $250 certified check payable to the National Treasury is required for the provisional residency permit (PPT).
53. Is the check required again for the permanent residency?
No. For the permanent residency (PRP), the certified check is not required.
54. Must the criminal record certificate be submitted again when applying for permanent residency?
No. For the permanent residency (PRP), no new criminal background check is required.
55. What law regulates the Married-to-a-Panamanian Visa?
This residency is regulated by:
• Decree Law 3 of February 22, 2008
• Executive Decree 320 of August 8, 2008 (articles 220–223)
• The Political Constitution of Panama
• Law 38 of 2000
📌 Contact Information
Edgardo Espinosa, Esq.
Immigration Lawyer
📞 +507 6290 3468
✉️ info@lawyerinpanama.com