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Immigration Status Categories

There are three types of immigration status in Panama: non resident temporary resident or permanent resident.

According to the Immigration Law from 2008, these categories are the following:

1. NON RESIDENT:

This type of permit is for foreigners that would like to enter the country and stay for a short period of time without wanting to reside in Panama. The following is a list of some of these types of permits:

a. Turist

b. Marines

c. Passerby

d. Short stay for business

e. Visiting family members

f. Medical treatment

g. Scientist and researchers

h. To Provide services for the banking sector

2. PERMANENT RESIDENT:

This type of permit is given to the foreigner that wishes to stay in Panama indefinitely. Once the application for this permit is approved, the foreigner will be given a temporary residency card valid for two (2) years. Once these two years have passed an application for an indefinite residency permit shall be submitted.

Depending on the specific subcategory, the immigrant might have the right to apply for Panamanian citizenship.

A few of these type of residency permits are:

a. Self economic solvency (acquiring a Real Estate, setting a time deposit or a mix of both)

b. Forestall investment

c. Married to a Panamanian citizen.

d. Investment in a macro Enterprise.

e. Retirees

f. Through the Panama-Italy cooperation agreement.

3. TEMPORARY RESIDENTS

Foreigners applying for this category are the ones with the intention to reside temporarily to work, for education and culture among others. These foreigners can stay in the country for up to six (6) or until the especial law by means of which the application took place permits a longer period of stay.

The following is a list of some of the permits of this category:

a. Multinational enterprises, Colon Free Zone and exporting zone processing companies’ personnel.

b. Personnel of companies operating from Panama but with effects overseas.

c. Personnel of local companies.

d. Students

e. Press correspondent

f. Investor, researcher or Students at City of Knowledge.