Panama Immigration Attorney for U.S. Retirees, Investors & Expats
We guide American retirees, investors, and remote professionals through every Panama residency, citizenship, and work permit process. Bilingual representation, transparent fees, and a clear path from your first filing to your permanent ID card.
Panama Immigration Attorney for U.S. Retirees, Investors & Expats
Panama has become one of the world's most attractive destinations for retirees, investors, and remote professionals: legal stability, a U.S. dollar economy, territorial taxation, and the well-known Pensionado program have positioned the country — and especially the Chiriquí highlands, anchored by Boquete and Volcán — as the heart of the expat residential community in Central America. But behind every approved visa there is a precise file before the National Immigration Service (Servicio Nacional de Migración, SNM), consular requirements, apostilled documents, FBI background checks, and statutory deadlines that, when handled poorly, turn into months of delay or a denial.
Our firm represents clients arriving from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Latin America with one shared goal: securing Panama immigration status with full legal certainty. Attorney Itzela Hernández has filed Pensionado Visas, Qualified Investor Visas, Friendly Nations applications, permanent residency petitions, and naturalization cases before Panamanian immigration authorities, managing each file personally from David, Chiriquí. Our commitment is straightforward: bilingual communication (English and Spanish), transparent flat-fee quotes from your first consultation, and legal support that does not end when you receive your residency card — we continue with renewals, category changes, and, when you qualify, the application for your Panamanian cédula and citizenship.
Panama Pensionado Visa
We file the Pensionado Visa for retirees with a qualifying lifetime pension of USD 1,000 per month or more. Panama's most popular residency for U.S. retirees — fast track to permanent status plus the famous nationwide discounts on flights, restaurants, healthcare, and entertainment.
Qualified Investor Visa
End-to-end guidance on the Qualified Investor Visa: real estate from USD 300,000, fixed-term bank deposit, or securities portfolio. Permanent residency granted in a single filing — and the only Panama visa that can be processed remotely, without a prior trip to Panama.
Friendly Nations Visa
We file Friendly Nations applications under Executive Decree 197 of 2021 for citizens of the partner countries recognized by Panama (the United States is included). Three eligible paths: a qualifying Panamanian job offer, an economic activity in Panama, or real estate investment of at least USD 200,000. The decree grants two years of provisional residency first, then permanent residency once the renewal requirements are met.
Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers
We file the Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers (Executive Decree 198 of 2021) for digital nomads employed by a foreign company. Up to 18 months of legal stay, foreign-source income, and no Panamanian tax on remote earnings.
Permanent Residency
We process the transition from provisional to permanent residency, residency card renewals, and the application for the cédula E national ID issued to permanent foreign residents.
Naturalization & Panamanian Citizenship
Guidance on applying for Panamanian citizenship by naturalization once you complete the statutory residency period — generally five years of continuous residency, or three with a Panamanian spouse or Panamanian-born child.
Spouse of Panamanian Visa
We file residency applications for foreign spouses of Panamanian citizens under Decree-Law 3 of 2008. The Immigration Service grants provisional residency for two years; after the matrimonial interview and verification of cohabitation, we apply for permanent residency.
Family Reunification & Dependent Visas
We add your spouse, minor children, and qualifying dependents to your main residency filing. Family reunification petitions for Panamanian nationals and residents under current immigration regulations.
How We Work
Initial Consultation & Eligibility Review
We review your profile, citizenship, income, and relocation goals, then recommend the fastest, most cost-effective, and most secure visa category for your situation. You receive a transparent flat-fee quote at the end of the first meeting.
Document Collection, Translation & Apostille
We send you a clear document checklist: FBI or local police background check with apostille, pension certification, bank statements, health certificate, birth and marriage certificates. We coordinate certified Spanish translations for every foreign document.
Filing with the National Immigration Service
We file your complete application with the National Immigration Service in Panama, personally accompany you to issuance of the provisional residency card, and respond to any deficiency notice or follow-up request from the immigration authority.
Card Issuance, Renewals & Cédula E
Once your resolution is approved, we handle issuance of your residency card, schedule renewals, and — when you become eligible — file your cédula E national ID and, later, your naturalization petition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to obtain Panama residency?
Each visa category has its own filing process before the National Immigration Service, and timelines vary based on case load, background-check verifications, and the authority's response times. The Qualified Investor Visa is designed as an expedited path under Executive Decree 722 of 2020 (as amended by Decree 193 of 2024), while the Friendly Nations Visa first grants a two-year provisional residency before permanent status. From the day we file with the National Immigration Service you receive a provisional residency card that already identifies you as a resident in process, lets you open bank accounts, and allows you to enter and leave Panama without a tourist visa. During the initial consultation we provide a realistic timeline estimate for your specific case.
Do I need to live in Panama year-round to keep my residency?
No. Panamanian immigration law does not require you to spend the full year in Panama. Permanent residency is preserved as long as you do not stay outside Panama for more than two consecutive years. That flexibility is one of the reasons U.S. retirees who split their time between the United States and their home in Chiriquí or Panama City choose Panama over other Latin American jurisdictions.
What is the difference between the Pensionado Visa and the Qualified Investor Visa?
The Pensionado Visa requires a qualifying lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month from a government, retirement fund, or recognized institution. It grants permanent residency plus the lifelong statutory discounts established in Law 6 of 1987. The Qualified Investor Visa, regulated by Executive Decree 722 of 2020 and amended by Decree 193 of 2024, requires a minimum Panama investment of USD 300,000 in real estate (amount in force until October 15, 2026), USD 500,000 in a securities portfolio, or USD 750,000 in a fixed-term deposit with a Panamanian bank. It grants permanent residency on the first resolution, is designed as an expedited path, and — unlike every other Panama residency — can be filed entirely remotely without a prior trip to Panama.
Can I work in Panama on a Pensionado Visa?
The Pensionado Visa by itself does not authorize you to take employment with a Panamanian employer. It does, however, allow you to receive passive income, foreign income, dividends, and to manage your own investments. If you plan to actively work in Panama, we evaluate compatible visa categories or the corresponding work permit before the Ministry of Labor.
When can I apply for naturalization and a Panamanian cédula?
Generally, a permanent resident may apply for Panamanian naturalization after five continuous years of residency, or after three years if married to a Panamanian or with Panamanian-born children. Once citizenship is granted and the oath is administered before the competent authority, we file for your Panamanian cédula before the Electoral Tribunal. We guide you through every stage of the citizenship process.
Do you take clients who have not yet traveled to Panama?
Yes. We routinely represent clients located in the United States, Canada, and Europe who are planning their move to Panama. We hold the initial consultation by video call in English or Spanish, coordinate the signing of powers of attorney with apostille in your country, and — where the visa category allows it, especially the Qualified Investor Visa — advance the entire file before your first arrival in Panama.
Consult with Our Attorney Today
Consultation available. We serve clients in David, Chiriquí and virtually throughout Panama.