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First of all: Panaman Tourist Visa
Before buying a property we strongly recommend you see it first. What’s more, if you are planning on moving to your overseas property we advise you to spend some time in the country before taking such an important decision. Traveling in Latin America is easy for American and most European Countries passport holders. Tourist visas are not always necessary and, if they are, getting one is not a problem. In this section we provide some general information on visas and residence permits. Since this information might change, particularly regarding red tape and form filling, in January First Real Estate we are always ready to answer your questions and provide research in order to give all necessary answers with up-to-date information. Once you have been in the country and decided to become a resident the staff in January First Real Estate will gladly help you out finding out requirements and most advantageous choices for your residence status.
Tips on applying for a visa
Several things need to be considered here, including whether you’re living part-time or full-time in the country, and what you intend to do there. There are many kinds of visas, but here are a few common elements that may be required of you:
- Verify that your passport is valid for the required length of time.
- Some countries require that you have a passport valid for at least six months when the visa is granted.
- Find a notary (or other approval authority) acceptable to the consulate.
- Get a physician’s health certification.
- Most countries require some sort of health certification. Find out what they need, and make sure the doctor addresses it specifically.
- Visa photos will likely be a different size than any photo you have so far, so check this in advance.
- Criminal record checks are required in many cases. Allow plenty of time for this, as the process to get one from your state police or other law enforcement agency may not be quick.
- Pension verification is your most important document if you’re applying for a pensioner’s visa, while your foreign property deed will be needed if you’re getting a visa based on property ownership.
- In some cases the copy of the property deed needs to be notarized in the country where the property is located, so allow time for this if it hasn’t been done already.
- Document certification: Be sure to allow enough time to notarize or certify all required documents—and resolve any issues your country’s notary may have—and then submit your visa application.
It is helpful to make an interim stop or two at the consulate to have them review how you’re processing the required paperwork. This can help to avoid any surprises at the end when you turn in your final visa application for approval.
In case you need more information or have doubts on any of these issues, the specialised staff in January First Real Estate will be glad to answer all your questions, click here.
Entrance and Exit
Passport: Your passport must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay in Panama.
Ticket: You need to have a ticket for return or onward travel.
Fees: Airport departure fee US$20.00.
Visa
Who requires a visa?
Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days
(at the discretion of the Immigration authorities):
(a) 1. nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and the UK (except for UK passports issued in Hong Kong (SAR) to those who were born in Hong Kong).
Note: Nationals of Czech Republic, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Peru and Philippines may only enter Panama if they have a visa.
Tourist cards: A Tourist Card will be issued in lieu of a visa to the following for stays of up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at the discretion of the Immigration authorities) :
2. nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Curacao, Ecuador, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep), Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé & Principe, Surinam, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Venezuela and Vatican City.
What documents will be required?
Passports: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months required by all.
A Tourist Card can be issued either by the travel agent or on the flight or at the airport.
Application requirements:
(a) Passport valid for at least 6 months.
(b) Two completed application forms.
(c) Two passport-size photos.
(d) Booking reservation.
For countries requiring special authorisation: (a) and, (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Copies of passport. (e) Copy of return or onward ticket. (f) Letter from the person in Panama taking responsibility for applicant. (g) Proof of financial stability in cash, traveller’s cheques or bank statements. (h) fee plus postage if necessary.
Time required to issue visa: Normally 24 hours if no authorisation is needed; 20 days if authorisation (which depends on nationality) is needed.
What is the cost of a visa?
Tourist: US$40. Tourist Card: Prices vary, depending on nationality and also on where the Tourist Card is obtained from (e.g., prior to departure, on the flight or on arrival at the airport). Some nationals can obtain the Tourist Card free of charge (including nationals of Colombia, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and USA). Enquire at the Consulate for details.
How long is the visa valid for?
Visas and Tourist Cards are valid within a 3-month period from the date of issue and allow stays for up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at discretion of Immigration authorities).
Other information
Note: (a) No brief account of the complex Panamanian visa regulations is likely to be fully successful as passport and visa regulations are liable to change at short notice. (b) Panamanian immigration procedures are rigidly enforced and non-compliance with the regulations may result in transportation at carrier’s expense to country of origin. (c) Many nationals requiring visas also require authorisation from the Immigration authorities in Panama before entry; contact the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy) if in doubt.
Other Visas
There are many ways in which to ensure your legal migratory status in Panama.
Investor’s Visa
This type of visa allows for an investor and his or her dependants to maintain legal residence in Panama. In order obtain this type of visa the Panamanian Government requires the applicant to have a proven investment of at least $150,001 in a business based in Panama. For each dependant an additional $4,000 must be added to the above mentioned sum. The company is obligated to maintain three employees on its payroll.
Requirements
- Application through a Panamanian lawyer.
- Four passport size photographs.
- Cashiers check for $100 made out to the Tesoro Nacional.
- Cashiers check for $500 made out to the Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia. Certificate from the public registry Certificate from the Secretary or Treasurer of the company.
- Notarized declaration stating the amount invested.
- Authenticated copy of annual tax returns issued by the Ministry of Finance and proof of payment. If it is a new company then it is necessary to provide proof that the annual Government fee has been paid.
- Copy of the payroll authenticated by the Social Security Office.
- Proof that the company is in good standing with the social security office.
- Proof of amount invested.
- Proof of the physical location of the company.
- Certificate of Good Health issued by a licensed doctor or clinic in Panama.
- Police Record from country of residence.
- Valid Passport for at least six months before it expires.
- Copy of the Passport showing general information and entry and exit stamps.
- Copy of Commercial License of the Company.
- Sworn testimony of personal history.
- Two photocopies of all documents listed above.
Second Passport (Retired renter)
Immigration law in Panama allows foreigners holding a five year time deposit in the Banco Nacional to apply for a Panamanian Passport. Time Deposits must generate a minimum $750 a month in interest. Dependents are also covered under this plan (spouse and children under 18 years old).
Requirements:
- Application through a Panamanian Lawyer.
- Four passport size photographs.
- Certificate of Good Health issued by a licensed doctor or clinic in Panama.
- Police Record from country of residence.
- Valid Passport for at least six months before it expires.
- Two Authenticated copies of Passport.
- Certificate issued by the Banco Nacional stating that the applicant earns and income of at least $750 in interest on time deposit held with the bank. This must be a 5 year time deposit.
- Sworn testimony of personal history.
- Two photocopies of all documents listed above.
Pensioned Tourist Visa (“Turista Pensionado”)
This is a special kind of visa that allows retirees to establish residency in Panama if their pension is at least $500 a month. It is also a requirement that you must earn $100 a month more for each dependent you have.
- Application through a Panamanian Lawyer.
- Four passport size photographs.
- Certificate of Good Health issued by a licensed doctor or clinic in Panama. Police Record from country of residence.
- Valid Passport at least six months before it expires.
- Authenticated copy of Passport.
- Document that certifies:
a. That the applicant earns a pension of at least $500, this pension must be for life. If the applicant has dependents he must earn at a least $100 above the stated $500 for each dependant.
b. If the pension is not in US Dollars then the Banco Nacional must certify that the amount is equivalent to at least US$500.
- If the pension is received from a private company, The applicant must prove that this company is operating and present evidence of the receipt of the pension.
- Sworn testimony of personal history.
- Two photocopies of all the documents listed above.
Self Economic Solvency (Solvencia Economica)
This type of visa allows you to establish permanent residency in Panama. The Applicant must show sufficient economic means to provide for himself and his family. This may be demonstrated in one of three ways:
– By opening a time deposit for a minimum of $200,000 at any local bank.
– By purchasing property in Panama valued at $200,000 or more.
– By Purchasing property in Panama valued at $80,000 or more and opening a time deposit for a minimum of $120,000 at a local bank.
Requirements:
- Application through a Panamanian Lawyer.
- Four passport size photographs.
- Certified Check of $100 maid out to the Tesoro Nacional.
- Certified check made of $500 made out to the Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia.
- Certificate of Good Health issued by a licensed doctor or clinic in Panama. Police Record from country of residence.
- Valid Passport at least six months before it expires.
- Photocopy of the Passport.
It is important to note the following when applying for the any of the aforementioned visas:
1. All documents issued outside of Panama must be apostilled or authenticated in the Panamanian Consulate or Embassy in the country of issue and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panama.
2. All documents issued in a language which is not Spanish must be translated by an authorized public translator recognized by the Panamanian Government.
3. All foreigners applying for visas must be registered in the Department of Migratory Movement.
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