Williams & Associates, as a firm specialized in immigration law, represents its clients in the processes of obtaining residency and work permits under the various immigration categories offered by the Republic of Panama.
Our attorneys always take into consideration the activities, objectives, and the time each client plans to remain in the Republic of Panama, in order to provide strategic advice and accompany them comprehensively from the beginning to the completion of any immigration process.
Additionally, our team offers legal assistance in the processing of work permits before the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (MITRADEL), as well as in naturalization processes for obtaining Panamanian citizenship.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
Foreign personnel hired by private companies within 10% of the ordinary person.
Person hired as Technical Expert or within 15% of the personnel.
Foreign personnel hired by private companies within the 10% of the personnel.
Staff hired by companies under the Marrakech Agreement.
Staff hired as executives of international companies whose functions have effects abroad.
Foreign personnel participating in Educational Programs Nonprofit Entities.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Forestal Investor.
Macro Investor – Company.
Economic Solution for Long Term Deposit.
Economic Solution for Real Estate Investment.
Joint Economic Solution for Investment (Long Term Deposit and Real Estate).
Married to a Panamanian.
Family reunification as foreigner with Panamanian children.
- Retired Investor.
- Retirees and Pensioners.
- Professional abroad.
- Multinational Corporations.
- Políticas Especiales
Panama – Italy Treaty agreement
Foreign nationals from 51 countries whom has friendly, professional, economic, and investment relations with the Republic of Panama can apply to the friendly nation’s visa.
Diplomats and members of international organizations from countries that have diplomatic relations with the Republic of Panama, even after they have concluded their respective positions can apply for permanent residency on Panama.
Our visa services provide comprehensive and reliable support, ensuring a smooth and successful visa application process for all your international travel and immigration needs.
The Retiree or Pensionado Visa is one of the most attractive immigration categories offered by the Republic of Panama for foreign persons who receive a lifetime pension or permanent income.
Any person over 18 years of age who receives a minimum monthly pension or lifetime annuity of US$1,000 may apply. In the event of including dependents within the application, an additional income of US$250 per month must be demonstrated for each dependent.
The pension or annuity may be paid by a private company, the military, a governmental entity, a corporation, a bank, an insurance company, or a trust, provided that it is income of a permanent or lifetime nature.
This immigration category allows the applicant to obtain permanent residence in Panama and grants its beneficiaries access to various incentives and benefits established by Panamanian legislation for retirees and pensioners. Among these are discounts on services and activities such as movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, cultural events, transportation, and domestic airlines, as well as on other goods and services within the country.
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The Friendly Nations Visa immigration category was created with the purpose of facilitating legal residence in Panama for citizens of countries with economic, professional, and commercial ties to the Republic of Panama.
In accordance with Executive Decree No. 197 of May 7, 2021, and Executive Decree No. 226 of July 20, 2021, citizens of any of the 51 countries considered friendly may apply for residence in Panama through this immigration category.
Currently, this visa allows applicants to qualify for residency through three main modalities that demonstrate an economic or professional link with the country:
• REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, through the acquisition of property in Panama with a minimum value of US$200,000.
• FIXED-TERM DEPOSIT, through the opening of a certificate of deposit in a Panamanian bank for a minimum amount of US$200,000.
• EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP, through an employment contract with a duly established Panamanian company.
The real estate investment and fixed-term deposit modalities allow the applicant to qualify for permanent residence directly. In contrast, when the application is made through an employment relationship, the applicant initially obtains provisional residence for a period of two years, after which he or she may apply for permanent residence.
The 51 Friendly Nations are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United States of America, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
The Professional Employment Visa is intended for foreigners who maintain an employment relationship with a company established in Panama and who perform functions of a professional nature.
To apply under this category, the applicant must have an employment contract with a Panamanian company, be affiliated with the social security system, and hold a university degree, as well as a professional license when required for the exercise of the corresponding activity.
Under this modality, the applicant initially obtains temporary residence, and after maintaining such condition for two years, may apply for permanent residence in the Republic of Panama.
The term “professional” is not strictly limited to the definition established in the Constitution of Panama nor to the legal provisions that regulate certain professions reserved for Panamanian citizens.
The Reforestation Investor Visa is intended for foreigners who wish to obtain residence in Panama through an investment in reforestation projects approved and certified by the corresponding authorities.
To apply under this immigration category, the applicant must make a minimum investment of US$80,000 in a reforestation project, which includes the acquisition of at least five hectares of titled land designated for reforestation activities.
In the event of including dependents within the application, an additional investment of US$2,000 is required for each dependent.
This program promotes foreign investment in sustainable projects and in the development of the forestry sector in Panama, allowing investors to establish residence in the country while participating in initiatives aimed at environmental conservation and the responsible use of natural resources.
The Permanent Residence Permit under Economic Solvency is an immigration category designed to attract foreigners with financial capacity who wish to establish their residence in the Republic of Panama through a personal investment.
To qualify under this modality, the applicant must demonstrate a minimum investment of US$300,000, and may choose one of the following options:
• Real estate investment, through the acquisition of property in Panama with a minimum value of US$300,000, plus an additional US$2,000 for each dependent.
• FIXED-TERM DEPOSIT, through the opening of a Certificate of Deposit in a Panamanian bank for a minimum period of three years in the amount of US$300,000, plus an additional US$2,000 for each dependent.
• COMBINATION OF BOTH MODALITIES, through a joint investment in real estate and a bank Certificate of Deposit, provided that the total value of the investment reaches a minimum of US$300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency), plus an additional US$2,000 for each dependent.
This category allows the applicant and his or her family group to obtain permanent residence in Panama, constituting a solid immigration alternative for investors who wish to establish economic and estate ties in the country.
The immigration category of Permanent Resident for Reasons of Macroenterprise Investor is intended for foreigners who wish to establish their residence in Panama through a direct investment in the share capital of a Panamanian company.
To apply under this modality, the applicant must make a minimum investment of US$160,000 in the share capital of a Panamanian corporation. The investor may participate in the company as a shareholder and/or as a dignitary or officer of the corporation.
In the event of including dependents within the application, an additional investment of US$2,000 must be demonstrated for each dependent.
This category allows the applicant and his or her family group to qualify for permanent residence in the Republic of Panama, while at the same time encouraging foreign investment and the development of business activities within the country.
Permanent Residence through Marriage to a Panamanian Citizen is an immigration category intended for foreigners who have legally married a citizen of the Republic of Panama and wish to establish their residence in the country together with their spouse.
To apply under this modality, the applicant must prove the existence of a valid and duly registered marriage, as well as the real and continuous cohabitation between the spouses.
During the evaluation process, the immigration authorities may conduct interviews with both members of the couple for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of the marital bond and confirming that the relationship corresponds to a legitimate union and has not been entered into exclusively for immigration purposes.
Foreign parents of a minor born in the Republic of Panama may qualify for a permanent residence permit, provided that the Panamanian child has reached five (5) years of age. This immigration category allows the parents to regularize their immigration status in the country by virtue of the family bond with a Panamanian citizen.
Consequently, parents of children born in Panama may submit the corresponding application once the minor has reached such age. This residence is granted on the basis of the principle of family unity, recognizing the right of the parents to remain legally in the country together with their Panamanian child.
The process involves the submission of documentation proving the parent-child relationship, as well as compliance with the immigration requirements established by the competent authorities.
At WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES, we provide comprehensive advice throughout the entire procedure, including the preparation of the required documentation, the filing of the application before the National Immigration Service, and follow-up until the permanent residence status is obtained.