UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE
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a special Panamanian passport upon visa approval. The
passport is similar to a diplomatic passport, which is valid
solely for traveling purposes and does not grant citizenship.
For many individuals, the ability to travel visa-free to many
destinations is invaluable.
For the reforestation visa, with a minimum investment
of $80, 0 0 0 cover at least 5 hec tors of land in an
approved forestry project, investors can receive permanent
residency. Immediate family members can qualify within
the same application with an additional investment of
$2,000 per dependent.
The self-solvency visa is an excellent option for investors
looking to diversify their funds. This visa allows investors
to divide their investments among real estate and fixed-
term deposits. The allocations of funds can vary in
proportion, if the minimum required investment of $300,000
is met. Like the reforestation and special passport visa,
immediate family members can apply within the same
application for the self-solvency visa.
REQUIREMENTS & TIMELINES
In conjunction with the minimum investments, applicants
are required to provide additional documentation. This
includes passports, second IDs and apostilled national
police background certificates from the applicant’s home
country or country of residency. If dependents are included
within the same application, apostilled birth and marriage
certificates are required as well.
The residency visa can take up to three years to complete.
Upon arrival in Panama, the applicant will submit the
application and receive temporary residency valid for six
months. The application will be approved within the six-
month period. Upon approval, the applicant will then receive
their provisional residency that’s valid for two years. After
two years, another six-month temporary ID will be issued
to the applicant. Within this six-month period, the final
permanent residency card will be issued. Each step requires
an in person visit, however, applicants do not have to remain
in Panama through the process.
CITIZENSHIP IN PANAMA
Permanent residency is easily maintained with minimal
time on the ground. Under Panamanian law, a quick trip
to Panama every two years will be sufficient to ensure
permanent residency is maintained. If a resident does not
“ After five years
of permanent residency,
residents are eligible to
apply for citizenship. ”