No, the status of migratory resident does not inherently entail a right to be a tax resident. We must understand that the categorization of a tax resident is linked to issues of economic substance and place of life. However, when a person is a migratory resident, there may be a situation that allows tax residency to be more easily demonstrated.

The permanent resident card is an identification issued by the Electoral Court to any person who has obtained permanent residence through the immigration office. The process is different because it is carried out quickly in an office other than the immigration office.

Yes, however, a request for prior authorization must be submitted to the immigration office.

The immigration law imposes a fine of US$ 50.00 per month or fraction of a month. Once the fine has been paid, the foreigner is obliged to leave the country within 7 business days or present an immigration residency.

No, unfortunately for 99% of immigration residency procedures this type of relationship is not recognized to validate the relationship of a couple. Only executives of multinational companies (SEM) can declare free unions or life partners.

Panama does not recognize marriages or civil unions of another gender as valid for processing as a couple in an immigration application.

There are programs that require visiting the immigration office 3 to 4 times, however, these are short visits and for very specific procedures, namely: a. Submission of application for provisional residence b. Issuance of provisional residence card c. Submission of application for permanent residence d. Issuance of permanent residence card.

As with obtaining immigration residency, the work permit will depend on meeting the requirements of the chosen program and particularly, in applicable cases, that the contracting company has the legal capacity to hire foreigners.

Although this could be a cause for concern for anyone, we are happy to inform you that Panamanian laws allow for reconsideration processes regarding the decision made by the authority, so any error or situation that requires correction can be done in these instances. There are few cases where the options for correction are not possible, such as the example of having a judicial conviction that has been discovered by the authorities.

No, a provisional or permanent resident must complete a work permit process in order to formally work in Panama. The work permit can be processed at the Ministry of Labor and the foreigner must adhere to the work permit program that his or her foreign profile meets.

Yes, as long as you have tourist status and a driver's license from your country of origin, the foreigner may drive for up to 3 months. However, if you are a foreigner in the process of residency, provisional resident or permanent resident, the driver's license office will grant you the license according to the validity of your immigration card. If the foreigner is a permanent resident, the license will be granted for the standard time that Panamanians receive, that is, 4 years.

It could be understood that a person who wants to be a resident of Panama must be in Panama, the reality is that Panama is quite flexible in this matter and allows that during the residency process or even a provisional or permanent resident can be outside of Panama. In the case of residents, let us not forget that the foreigner cannot abandon the presence in the country for more than 2 years.

Immigration law formally considers the following persons as dependents of a resident applicant:

• Wife

• Parents of the applicant

• Minor and adult children with certain exceptions

• Special relatives in certain cases and with prior approval from the immigration office.

No, becoming a provisional or permanent resident does not make a person a Panamanian citizen. Obtaining citizenship involves a “naturalization” process that must be submitted separately to the immigration office.

In some cases this may vary, however, the rule is almost always constant.

For example:

• Police records: The time stated on the document and if there is no specific time, then it is accepted for 6 months.

• Marriage certificates: 6 months

• Pension letters: 3 to 6 months

• Birth certificates: They do not expire, but it is suggested that a document older than 1 year not be presented.

• Medical certificate: 1 month

• Bank letters: 1 month

• Company or property certificates: 3 months

It does not expire, however, any person who is granted the right to permanent residence must not leave or stop visiting Panama for more than 2 years.

No, the immigration process requires the presence of all persons in order to be accepted into the process. Only the Qualified Investor category allows for submission without presence in the country.

There are some cases where authorities allow a person with a criminal conviction to obtain immigration residency; however, before submitting the residency application, it is necessary to request prior special approval, which, if granted, then the applicant can begin the application.

It is not complicated at all. The most “complicated” part could be said to be meeting the immigration requirements for the chosen residency category. Once this is done, everything else in the process is just a matter of procedures.

Yes, every person with an immigration procedure in progress receives a processing card from the immigration office, which also contains a visa for multiple entry and exit from the country.

There are some programs, such as those for marriage with a national or humanitarian programs, that require an immigration interview. The other programs basically only require compliance with the required documentation.