Permanent residency for those receiving a lifetime pension from US$1,000 per month. There is no minimum or maximum age.
Immigration law
Immigration law to live, work and invest in Panama
Every immigration process requires careful document planning, review of current regulations and a strategy adapted to your situation. We support you with clarity from the initial assessment through resolution.
Immigration categories
A legal path for each immigration goal
Panama offers several residency categories, each with its own amounts, timelines and documentation. Open the one closest to your situation to see the specific requirements; the right category depends on your profile and current regulations.
Residency through income
Residency based on a fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian state bank generating at least US$850 per month in interest.
Residency through investment
Direct permanent residency through investment, with no provisional stage, in approximately 30 to 45 business days.
Residency through your own capital from US$300,000, in real estate, a fixed-term deposit or a combination of both.
Residency through an investment from US$160,000 in the capital of a Panamanian company employing at least 5 Panamanian nationals.
Residency in exchange for investing in reforestation projects approved by the Ministry of Environment. Two options.
Permanent residency through an investment from US$250,000 in companies within Export Processing Zones.
Residency permit through an investment from US$250,000 of foreign source in the Panama Pacífico Special Economic Area.
Residency through family ties
Residency for spouses of Panamanian citizens. No minimum length of marriage is required, but real cohabitation must be shown.
Permanent residency for foreign parents of children born in Panama. Includes a Type 1D work permit.
Residency for the spouse, children and parents of permanent residents or Panamanian citizens, subject to proof of economic solvency.
Work and professional mobility
Residency for citizens of a list of friendly nations, through formal employment in Panama or the purchase of property from US$200,000.
Allows you to work and live in Panama practicing a profession not constitutionally reserved for Panamanian citizens.
Short stay for remote workers with foreign-source income from US$36,000 per year. Up to 18 months.
Permanent residency for Italian citizens, with economic or professional activity and without needing a prior job offer.
Who it serves
Who this service is for
Retirees and pensioners
People who want to settle in Panama with pension income.
Investors
People seeking residency linked to an investment in Panama.
Professionals
People who need to work legally for companies in Panama.
Families
Families who want to reunite or regularize status together.
Entrepreneurs
People planning to create a company and reside in Panama.
Companies
Companies hiring or relocating foreign talent.
What to expect
Clarity in every deliverable
Working with Legality means always knowing where your matter stands, what comes next and what we need from you.
Clear eligibility review
We analyze your profile against available categories and tell you, directly, which ones make sense for you.
Personalized document list
You receive a concrete checklist: which documents you need, in what format and with what validity.
Filing strategy
We define the order and manner of presenting your file to reduce avoidable observations and delays.
Timing expectations
We explain reasonable timelines for each stage and the factors that may influence them.
Follow-up communication
We keep you informed about progress periodically, without making you chase answers.
How we work
A clear process, stage by stage
Initial assessment
We listen to your case and clarify the starting point.
Document review
We verify what you have, what is missing and what to correct.
Legal strategy
We define the appropriate path based on your objectives.
Filing and follow-up
We file your matter and monitor each update.
Support through resolution
We keep you informed at each stage, through the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to initial questions
Do I need a Panamanian lawyer to apply for residency?
Yes. Most immigration processes in Panama must be handled through a Panamanian lawyer, because the law requires it, and several categories also require a notarized power of attorney granted in their favor. This is not a formality: the lawyer files the application and is answerable for it before the immigration authority.
Do I need to be in Panama to start?
Much of the preparation -document collection, apostilles and translations- can be advanced from abroad. Most categories require at least one trip to Panama to file the application and complete the photo registration. There are exceptions: the Qualified Investor Visa can be processed through a special power of attorney, with no physical presence during the process.
Which documents are commonly requested?
It varies by category, but some things are constant: every foreign document must be submitted translated into Spanish and legalized through an apostille or Panamanian consular authentication, and most are valid for 6 months. The health certificate must be issued in Panama and is valid for 90 days; bank reference letters, for 30 days. Criminal record certificates must be obtained in the country of origin or of residence for the last 10 years: those issued by a consulate are not accepted.
Can I work with a residency visa?
Not every residency authorizes work. As a general rule a work permit is also required, and it is a separate, independent process: residency is handled by the National Immigration Service and the work permit by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development. Some categories do include it, such as the one for parents of children born in Panama, through the Type 1D work permit.
How long can the process take?
It depends on the category, agency workload and completeness of the file: in practice it ranges from a few weeks to around 6 months. The Qualified Investor Visa is resolved in roughly 30 to 45 business days, while the Pensionado Visa usually takes 3 to 6 months. Categories that go through a two-year provisional residency take longer to reach permanent residency.
Can I include my family?
Several categories allow spouses and dependent children to be included, almost always with an additional economic requirement: for example, US$250 more in monthly income for a spouse under the Pensionado Visa, or US$2,000 in additional investment per dependent across several investment programs. When assessing your case, we confirm who can be included and at what point in the process.
Can I leave Panama while my application is pending?
Only with a Multiple Entry Visa. Anyone with a pending residency application who leaves the country without one risks a US$2,000 fine. If you expect to travel during the process, it is best to arrange it in advance.
Does the consultation guarantee approval?
No. No professional can guarantee approval of an immigration process: the final decision belongs to the authorities. Our commitment is to evaluate your case honestly, prepare your file rigorously and support you at each stage.
The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice. Each case must be evaluated individually under current regulations.
Your immigration process, with serious support
Schedule an initial assessment and receive a clear path for your residency, visa or work permit.