Panama Pensionado Program
Panama Retirement Visa
The Panama Pensionado Program provides foreign retirees an affordable pathway to permanent residency in Panama. Eligible individuals aged 18+ must have a clean criminal record, good health, and a monthly pension income of $1,000. The program offers immediate permanent residency and allows dependent inclusion. Successful applicants need only one visit every two years to maintain permanent residence status, with potential citizenship after five years. With no investment requirements and quick processing, it’s an attractive retirement option for those seeking a new life in Central America.
Panama Pensionado Program Benefits
Residency and Family Inclusion
- Gain permanent residency and ability to settle permanently in Panama upon application approval
- Spouse, minor children, and unmarried adult children under 25 can be included
Travel and Quality of Life
- Permanent residents need to visit Panama only once every 2 years to maintain their status.
- Benefits include accessibility to a range of services and lifestyle discounts.
Ease of Access
- Opportunity to apply for citizenship after 5 years
- Fast processing time
- No language requirements
- No investment requirements
Panama Pensionado Visa Requirements
Eligible individuals must meet the following requirements:
(a) General Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no criminal record
- Demonstrate good health and be free from contagious diseases
(b) Pension Income Requirements
- The main applicant must have a lifetime monthly pension income of at least USD 1,000 from foreign government, international organization, private pension administration entity, mutual funds, trust, bank, or insurance company.
- If the applicant purchases residential property in Panama that is worth at least USD 100,000, the income requirement for the main applicant reduces to USD 750 per month
- The income requirement increases by USD 250 per month for each dependent included in the application.
Panama Pensionado Program Process
Processing time 3 - 10 Months
Due Diligence and Application Preparation
Gather essential documentation and have the foreign documentation apostilled, legalized and/or translated as needed
Application Submission and Approval
- Prepare the application package
- Visit Panama to submit the application to the Panama authority
Residency
Successful applicants will need to visit the to obtain the permanent residency card
Contact us
With over 30 years of immigration experience, each of Harvey Law Group’s lawyers carefully studies each client’s needs, resources and determines the immigration solution that best aligns with our client’s vision and values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Panama Pensionado Program?
The Panama Pensionado program is an excellent and affordable pathway for foreign nationals to secure permanent residence status in Panama if they have a stable pension income. Eligible individuals can retire in Panama and enjoy various special benefits. After residing in Panama for 5 years as a permanent resident, individuals may apply for Panamanian citizenship.
Who is eligible to apply for the Panama Pensionado Program?
Eligible individuals must meet the following requirements:
(a) General Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no criminal record
- Demonstrate good health and be free from contagious diseases
(b) Pension Income Requirements:
- The main applicant must have a lifetime monthly pension income of at least USD 1,000 from foreign government, international organization, private pension administration entity, mutual funds, trust, bank, or insurance company.
- If the applicant purchases residential property in Panama that is worth at least USD 100,000, the income requirement for the main applicant reduces to USD 750 per month
- The income requirement increases by USD 250 per month for each dependent included in the application.
Who qualifies as dependents under this program?
The following family members of the main applicant can be included as dependents in a Panama pensionado application:
- Spouse;
- Minor children under 18;
- Adult children under 25 who is studying full-time and financially dependent on the main applicant.
What benefits do the Panama Pensionado Program bring?
This program provides several key benefits:
- Permanent residency in Panama granted upon application approval
- Ability to include dependent family members in the application
- Quick processing time
- No language requirements
- No investment requirements
- Minimal physical presence requirement to maintain permanent residency (one visit every 2 years)
- Access to discounts on entertainment, dining, utilities, flights, accommodations, medical and dental services, and medications in Panama
What is the typical application process for the Panama retirement visa?
The application process typically involves the following steps:
- Gather essential documentation and have the foreign documentation apostilled, legalized and/or translated as needed
- Prepare the application package
- Visit Panama to submit the application to the Panama authority
- Successful applicants will need to visit Panama to obtain the permanent residency card
How may one maintain the permanent residence status?
A permanent resident of Panama should take the following steps to maintain his/her status in Panama:
- Visit Panama at least once every 2 years
- Refrain from engaging in activities that could compromise national security
- Respect local laws and regulations
- Comply with any conditions or requirements imposed by the Panamanian authority
How may permanent residents under panama pensionado program secure citizenship in panama?
To transition from permanent residency to citizenship, individuals must:
- Have maintained Panama as the ordinary place of residence for 5 consecutive years as a permanent resident
- Have a clean criminal record in Panama and the applicant’s country of origin
- Be economically solvent
- Have been issued a certificate of good health
- Have a good command of Spanish and good knowledge of Panama’s history, geography, and civil rights
- Declare that he/she will renounce his/her citizenship in the country of origin