Panama Professional Foreign Residency Program

Panama offers a visa program for foreigners' holder of a bachelor degree, master or PhD. However, as per the National Constitution and other laws, solely Panamanians may exercise the retail trade. In addition, the professions mentioned below are exclusively for Panamanians. Thus, any foreigner holder a degree, master or Phd of any of the below mentioned professions, may not apply for this type of visa.

Exceptions of this visa:

Requirements to Apply for a Provisional Residence valid for 2 years:

1. Notarized Power of Attorney and Application.

2. Three (3) photographs.

3. Authenticate copy of the passport by a Panamanian Public Notary

4. Criminal Record Certificate of your country of origin or last residence duly apostilled.

5. Health Certificate issued by a Panamanian Doctor.

6. Certified Check for B / 250.00 in favor of the National Treasury (This is required in a Panamanian Bank).

7. Certified Check for B / 800.00 in favor of the National Immigration Service (Same as above).

8. Affidavit Form of Personal Background.

9. Copy of the diploma or university degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctorate duly apostilled or authenticated.

10. Comply with the homologation process of your diploma before the corresponding national authorities in this case the University of Panama or the Technological University.

Requirement to Apply for a Permanent Residence (indefinite)

In order to request the permanent residence all the above document must be submitted for a second time, with the exception of the Criminal Record Certificate and the checks. This documents must be submitted 1 year and 9 months after your Provisional Residence was approved. i.e. before the provisional residence expired.

The applicant must also provide:

1. Certification of the Social Security that proves the payment of nine (9) consecutive installments.

2. National Good Standing of the applicant issued by the Directorate of Revenue (DGI).