Foreigner with Panamanian Child(ren)
Main Requirements:
The applicant must have one or more children with a minimum age of five (5) years.
What would be the requirements for this residency procedure?
Evidence of the kinship with the Panamanian child through a birth certificate.
Affidavit from the father or mother in favor of the APPLICANT indicating that he/she is correctly fulfilling his/her duties as a good father/mother of the family.
Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where you have resided for the last 2 years. Adults only.
US Citizens: FBI
Citizens of Canada: RCMP
UK Citizens: NPCC
There are other requirements, but these are managed with you in Panama.
Who applies?:
The father or mother of the Panamanian child.
How is the procedure carried out?
For the application process, it is mandatory that the applicant travel to Panama with the listed requirements. Only one family member cannot travel to represent everyone.
Once all requirements have been met, a visit is required for the initial presentation and a second visit for completion.
First visit: Between 4 and 5 business days.
Second visit: 2 business days
During the processing period, the National Immigration Service will provide the applicant with identification as a “person in the process of residence”
During the period of residence processing, the applicant(s) may travel outside of Panama without any restrictions.
Approval of the procedure takes on average 4 and a half months.
Initial approval will be a provisional resident status for 2 years, and prior to the expiration of the 2 years, the permanent residence process is carried out.
What documents need to be legalized?
Criminal record.
Document validation:
It is extremely important to note that any type of document issued by another nation MUST be duly legalized. The legalization process is carried out at the Panamanian Consulate in the country where the documents are issued or through the Apostille seal, which is regularly obtained from the foreign ministries of the country of origin.
Benefits:
It grants temporary resident status initially for 2 years and prior to the completion of the 2 years, the application for permanent residence is submitted.
Option to apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years or even in less time if the applicant is a citizen of a country with a diplomatic agreement for the elimination of time.
Option to apply for a work permit.