Retire in Panama
Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens
- Valid Passport
- Tourist Card. Available for 30 days with the possibility of extension of 60 days at the Immigration Office in Panama City, before the 30 days expire.
- The Tourist Card is sold for $5.00 and is also available upon arrival at the Tocumen International Airport.
- No Visa required.
Panama Pensioned Tourist Program (Pensionado)
Law No. 9 of June 24, 1987
This is a residency program designed for retirees living on pension programs. This program grants alien the right to reside in Panama indefinitely. The retiree residence status requires that applicant demonstrates an income on pension of only US$1,000.00 per month and US$250.00 for each dependent. This program covers applicant, spouse and children under the age of 18.
The qualification requirements for the Pensionado Visa Program are:
• You must apply in Panama
• You must be at least 18 years old
• Your application must be processed by a Panamanian attorney
• Power of attorney
• Registration Form. To obtain this form applicant must go in person to the Immigration Office
• Letter from a private company or public entity stating his condition of pensioner and amount received per month in original and notarized. You must have a verifiable minimum monthly income of US$1,000 from a government program or private corporation. This could be Social Security or another government retirement fund, such as military, state retirement, police pension, etc., or retirement from a private corporation. For your spouse or minor children, your minimum income must be increased by US$250 per month per dependent
• Proof of the amount received duly authenticated by apostille seal or Panamanian Consulate
• Health certificate issued by Panamanian Doctor
• Birth certificate duly authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate
• Certificate of good conduct (police record check) issued by the authorities at the place of residence during the last five years duly authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate or by Apostille
• Four photographs: Size: 2"x2"
• Photocopy of passport, all pages including cover, notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Consulate
• Sworn statement about personal background. This is done in Panama through a lawyer.
• Original passport
• If the documents are in a language other than Spanish, they need to be translated by a certified Panamanian translator in Panama.
• You need to physically be in Panama when the visa is issued
Note: In the case of married couples, you may qualify for the verifiable minimum monthly income by combining both pensions, in which case both pensioners must meet all of the above requirements.
If married and applicant wants to include his family, should also provide:
• Power of Attorney
• Marriage certificate duly authenticated by apostille seal or Panamanian Consulate
• Certificate of good conduct of wife and children over 18 years old during the last five years, notarized and duly authenticated.
• Birth certificate of children duly authenticated by Panamanian Consulate.
• Photocopy of passport.
• 4 photographs of each dependent.
• Health certificate issued by a Panamanian doctor
• Sworn statement about personal background done through a lawyer.
• Responsibility Letter duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Consulate
All documents issued abroad must be duly authenticated by our Consulate or stamped with Apostille BEFORE submitting paperwork to your attorney.
