Panama is a country located right between Central and South America. Panama is one of the few developed countries to stay politically neutral. Panama offers attractive immigration programmes for foreigners to get residence permits, a decent salary and a preferential tax system. Subsequently, law-abiding residents can apply for Panamanian citizenship. Read on to find out how you can get a passport in Panama.
Benefits of Panamanian Citizenship
A Panamanian passport grants the holder a number of benefits when it comes to living in the country and travelling around the world. For example,
- visa-free entry to 140 countries, including the EU,
- the opportunity to work and live in the country,
- the right to participate in politics and elections,
- high-quality healthcare and social services,
- preferential tax regime where monthly income of less than USD 700 is exempt from tax,
- and the opportunity to apply for various loan programmes.
Interestingly, American and British citizens who have acquired dual citizenship through the acquisition of Panamanian citizenship prefer to travel with a Panamanian passport as it grants them more travel options.
Panama City. Photo: Darren Miller (Unsplash)
How to Get Panamanian Citizenship
Compared to other countries, the process for becoming a citizen of Panama is relatively easy. The fastest route to Panamanian citizenship is to marry a Panamanian citizen. The spouse can apply for citizenship after living legally in the country for three years. Children born in Panama and children born to Panamanian parents abroad automatically get Panamanian citizenship.
Naturalisation is the most popular method of becoming a Panamanian citizen. Panama does not have any fast-track immigration programmes. In any case, you will have to obtain a residence permit first. There are various types of 12-month residence permits which can subsequently be extended. After two years of temporary residency in Panama, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Then you must live in the country for five years as a permanent resident before you can apply for citizenship.
Popular Resident Permit Programmes
The first thing every expat should do to legally stay in Panama is to get a residence permit. While there are a number of different immigration programmes, the following are the most popular:
- Reforestation Visa. The aim of this programme is to attract investments in the restoration of Panama's natural resources. An investor buys a plot of approximately five hectares and plants a forest there. The key is to spend at least USD 125,000 on reforestation.
- Qualified Investor Visa. This type of visa is granted to foreigners who want to buy real estate in Panama or open a deposit account at a local bank. You may even invest in both, but in different proportions. Here, the minimum investment is USD 500,000. If you invest in the Panamanian stock market, you are also eligible for a Qualified Investor Visa.
- Friendly Nations Visa. Citizens of some countries may acquire Panamanian citizenship through a simplified procedure. JAfter four months of staying in the country on a temporary residence permit, they can apply for a permanent residence permit and in five years will be able to apply for citizenship. The list of friendly nations includes 50 countries: the USA, the UK, France, Greece, Sweden, Germany, Cyprus, Canada, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Peru, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Uruguay. It is also easier for citizens from these countries to get a qualified investor visa.
- Business Investments. You can get a residence permit by buying a Panamanian company. If you do not want to buy a company, you can also start your own business in the country. The key is that you must invest at least USD 160,000.
You can also obtain a residence permit through work or study, or a retirement permit if your pension exceeds USD 1,000 a month. Refugees or people who have been convicted of a crime in Panama for at least 10 years can also apply for permanent residency. Five years after obtaining permanent residency, they can apply for citizenship.
San Blas Islands. Photo: Dresla (Unsplash)
Panamanian Passport Eligibility Requirements
It is enough to stay in Panama for the required time to become a Panamanian citizen. The Panama Immigration Service checks if the candidates meet the following requirements:
- Knowledge of Panama. All candidates must take a special test which checks their Spanish language skills, as well as their knowledge of Panama's history and geography. The applicant should also be familiar with the civil rights and obligations of a Panamanian citizen.
- Health. The government of Panama is concerned about the health of its citizens, so every foreigner must prove that they are healthy and do not have any disease or conditions that could jeopardise the health of the nation. You will have to provide a number of medical certificates, such as a negative HIV test, a chest X-ray and a medical report from a doctor.
- Income level. You must have enough money to support your life in Panama. The following documents may serve as proof of your funds: a salary certificate, a bank statement, a tenancy agreement and others.
- Compliance with the law. Panama boasts a low crime rate. All expats undergo a thorough background check. If the expat has been convicted of a crime in their home country,, they are not eligible for Panamanian citizenship. To prove that you have no criminal record, you must submit a police clearance certificate issued in your home country.
Casco Antiguo. Photo: Kaori Hirakata (Unsplash)
Step-by-Step Guide on Getting Panamanian Citizenship
You should prepare for the application process in advance. The first step is to collect all the necessary documents. While the list may vary depending on the immigration programme, you will need the following papers in any case:
- your passport,
- two recent photos,
- a document confirming the renunciation of your current citizenship,
- a set of medical certificates,
- a police clearance certificate,
- a marriage certificate (where applicable),
- documents for your dependents,
- and a proof of your economic solvency.
All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish and notarised. You may submit them in person at the Immigration Service Office or at the Panamanian Consulate. The application is processed in one to six months. You will get a special document, a cedula, for this period. The cedula serves as your ID and proves that you are in the process of obtaining Panamanian citizenship.
Once the documents have been approved, you will have to take a naturalisation test. You must also pay all the fees, costing in total USD 900. Once you have met all the requirements, you will receive your new Panamanian passport.
Panama City Beach. Photo: Craig Cameron (Unsplash)
Dual Citizenship in Panama
De jure, Panama does not allow dual citizenship. All applicants for Panamanian citizenship must renounce their current citizenship when swearing the oath. De facto, however, you are not required to give up your foreign passport.
In a Nutshell
You can get Panamanian citizenship through marriage, birth, or naturalisation. In the latter case, you must first obtain a temporary residence and then a permanent residence permit in Panama. In most cases, you will have to live for at least five years in Panama before you can apply for citizenship. While your application is being processed, you can use a special document, a cedula, as your ID. Once the application has been approved, you will receive your passport which will enable you to enjoy a number of benefits.
Cover photo: Philip Melanson (Unsplash)
