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Family Reunification

Main Requirements:

  • The applicant must have a family relationship authorized by immigration law in order to be claimed by his or her relative with permanent residence status in Panama.

What would be the requirements for this residency procedure?

  • Evidence of kinship.

    • Marriage certificate (if applicable)

    • Birth certificate of children (if you will include children as dependents)

    • Birth certificate of the principal (if he/she will include his/her parents as dependents)

  • 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?:

  • You can the following dependents.

  • Spouse: It is mandatory to be formally married

  • Minor children

  • Older children between 18 and 25 years old

  • Parents of the principal applicant

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

  • Marriage certificates (if applicable)

  • Birth certificate (both in cases of having dependent parents or in case of having children)

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.

  • There are options for work permits, but it will depend on each case and the family relationship that the applicant has with the permanent resident.

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