The Path to Panamanian Citizenship

Panamanian Citizenship may be granted to permanent residents who have fulfilled the minimum year's residence requirement counting from when the Panama Immigration Office issues the resolution conceding permanent residence.

Be aware that if naturalization is your ultimate purpose and not just residence, showing your commitment and spending significant time in Panama is advisable. Also, it is to obtain as many visible ties to the country as possible. For instance, you can own property in Panama, start a business, or pay local taxes.

Panamanian permanent residence does not guarantee Panamanian Citizenship, and not every foreigner holder of a residence qualifies. For instance, foreign residents holding a temporary or provisional residence status or with the crisol de razas program are not eligible to apply for Citizenship.

There are three alternatives to becoming naturalized, as follows:

A. Foreigners with five years of consecutive residency in Panamá.

B. Foreigners with three years of continuous residence in Panamá, if they have a Panamanian son or daughter with a Panamanian father or mother; or have a Panamanian wife or husband, if:

C. The nationals by birth of Spain or any other Latin-American State, if they fulfill the same requirements their countries's authorities require to Panamanians who want to obtain Citizenship. This is known as Reciprocity, and the time frame of residence to become Panamanian is shortened as follows:

• One year: Colombia, El Salvador
• Two years: Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Perú
• Three years: Uruguay

Those who intend to obtain Panamanian Citizenship must:

1. Declare their intention to get Panamanian nationality when 18 years old.
2. Resign to the original Citizenship or any other nationality.
3. Prove that they understand Spanish.
4. Pass the test regarding basic knowledge of Panamanian geography, history, and political organization.

Please prepare the following documents:

1. Two photos - passport size. Ladies must wear blouses with sleeves and without décolleté. Gentlemen must wear a suit with a necktie.

2. Authenticated copy of the passport by the Embassy or Consul of the country duly authenticated by the Ministry of Foreigners Affairs. And an additional copy of the pages of the passport that contain the information of the petitioner.

Note: If the petitioner's country of origin does not have a representation office in Panama, the documents may be authenticated by a friend country authorized by the Ministry of Foreigners Affairs of Panama.

3. Power of attorney. The Power and petition must contain the following information:

• Name. All the paperwork must be done under the legal name according to the personal identity card.
• Complete address.
• Age of applicant
• Marital status
• Parents' names and their nationality of origin.
• Passport number
• Identification number (Panamanian id or Foreign Resident Registration Number)
• Place of birth
• Nationality
• Complete residential address
• Telephone numbers

4. A Notarial affidavit explaining the reasons for becoming Panamanian and resigning to the Citizenship of birth

5. Authenticate copies of the petitioner id by Tribunal Electoral and additional simple copy.

6. Medical Exam – Certificate of good health

7. Police records obtained from the Panamanian authorities. However, the Immigration Office may also require a police record from the country of the applicant.

8. Proof of economic solvency:

• Letter of your employer, accompanied by Social Security payments, or
• Declaration of Rent with its receipt of payment, or
• Bank reference letter with no less than four figures

9. Certificate of Good Standing (Paz y Salvo) from the Economic and Finance Ministry (DGI).

10. Certification of Immigration Status

Steps of the Process:

Interview: This interview is in Spanish. If you pass the interview, you will present a History, Geography, and Politics test in Spanish at the Tribunal Electoral.

Naturalization Test of your knowledge of Panamá: The Electoral Tribunal is the institution in charge of tests for those who wish to become Panamanian citizens. This test is in Spanish and requires knowledge of Panama's history, geography, and civil rights. You can review the test at the following link: Naturalization Test Guidance

Resignation of other Citizenship: You must express your resignation to any previous citizenship you may hold. Once the naturalization letter is issued and signed by the President of Panamá, you have to swear in front of the Governor that you will abide by the Constitution of the Republic of Panama and thus, resigns to all civil and political links with your country of origin.

Institutions Involved: The process to obtain Citizenship involves the National Immigration Services, the Ministry of Government and Justice, the Ministry of Public Services, the Civil Registration Office, the Government Office, and the Presidency, as is the Panamanian President who approves and signs all applications.

All these entities will review the application, may require additional paperwork, may delay the process for internal reasons or may deny the application.

Process Time Frame: There is no defined process time to obtain Panamanian Citizenship, and it can take up to five (5) years to receive the Naturalization Letter.

Legal Fee to obtain the Panamanian Nationality: USD 3900.00, payable as follow:

50% when the POA is signed

25% when the test is taken

25% when the letter of naturalization is issued

Expenses: Expenses are divided as follows:

Initial Expenses: Approximately USD 272.50

Other Expenses: USD 785.40

If your petition is approved, you must pay:

• USD 10.00 for the authentication of the Naturalization Letter
• USD 600.00 check issued under the name of "Franqueadoras Panama."
• USD 10.40 to certify the check
• USD 100.00 to register the naturalization letter at the Tribunal Electoral
• USD 65.00 the cost of the new id

For more information, email us at lill@kerycruz.com