While Panama has several attractive options for investors who wish to acquire residence status, there is no citizenship-by-investment programme in Panama whereby citizenship could be obtained through investment without prior residence (such as in Austria, St. Kitts & Nevis, or Dominica)

Panamanian citizenship can only be acquired after five years of legal residence and full immigrant status. Citizenship may be applied for by all foreigners who have been conferred immigrant status (i.e. not pensionado or retiree residence status), after a period of five years following the date of approval of the Immigrant Visa (“Provisional Resident Permit”). For immigrants married to Panamanians or with Panamanian children, this period is reduced to three years.

Immigrants from countries which grant to Panamanians the right to naturalization within a period of time shorter than those mentioned above, may in reciprocity, benefit of the same period of time.

To apply for Panamanian citizenship the following documents are required:

1. Five testimonials, rendered before a Civil Court of Panama, by five witnesses, who cannot be relatives, acknowledging that the applicant is known to them and has lived in Panama for more than three years or five years, according to the case, on an uninterrupted basis, from the date the Immigrant Visa was granted.

2. Negative HIV Test; X Rays of the lungs, and a general medical certificate attesting that the applicant does not suffer from any physical, mental or infectious diseases.

3. Notarized copy of the entiry passport (i.e. every page of the passport).

4. Two passport photographs.

5. Various fees and stamp duties, totalling about US$600.

6. Written statement renouncing to the previous nationality. However, such renunciation may have no effect whatsoever in the country of the applicants current citizenship.

7. Stamps in the total amount of US$ 300, which must be adhered to the Letter of Naturalization. (Stamps may be bought when the Letter of Naturalization is issued).

8. Letter from the employer or banking reference letter or any other document certifying the monetary solvency of the applicant; and the Social Security Fund Record if the applicant works in Panama.

9. Power of Attorney to request a Certificate from the Personal Identification Division attesting to the date of issuance of the “Cédula” (Identiy card).

Upon filing of the application for a Letter of Naturalization, the applicant will be required to appear before the Electoral Tribunal to the effect of rendering examinations on Spanish language and geography, history and civil rights of the Republic of Panama.

After the approval and issue of the Letter of Naturalization, the following steps must be taken by the new citizen:

1. To appear before the Immigration Department to personally receive the Letter of Naturalization and to hand over stamps for US$300 to be adhered to the Letter of Naturalization.

2. To appear before the Governor of the Province of Panama so as to solemnly swear that the Panama Constitution and laws shall be respected. US$ 200 will have to be paid to the Governor’s Office, in terms of official fees.

3. To be registered as a Panamanian Citizen before the Electoral Tribunal and to obtain a new “Cedula” for which it will be necessary to pay the amount of US$ 60.

Further Information

Through its office in Panama City, Henley & Partners provide a complete range of services, including advice and assistance regarding the different residence programmes and the acquisition of citizenship after the required numbers of years of residence. Please contact us for more information.