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Tourist Pensioner Visa

Main Requirements:

This program is aimed at anyone who receives a government or private pension for life of no less than US$1,000 per month*


* Note: The pension must reflect an additional value of US$ 250.00 for each dependent that the principal applicant includes in his/her application for residence.


Example: The main applicant has a wife, which would mean that his pension must be at least US$ 1,250.00 per month.


Government Pension:

The letter must be issued by the government entity responsible for paying the pension. In the US it would be the Social Security Administration and in Canada it would be the Canada Service. In other countries it will be in response to their public agencies for pension payments.


Private Pensions:

The letter can ONLY be issued by special registered entities such as:

  • Pension management companies

  • Banks with pension management programs

  • Insurance companies with programs for pension administration

  • Mutual Fund Companies

No other type of company is accepted.

In addition to the letter you will need to obtain:

  • Certificate of existence of a company that pays private pensions
    Pension payment statement for the last 6 months.

What would be the requirements for this residency procedure?

  • Pension payment letter (public or private)

  • 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

  • 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)

  • There are other requirements, but these are managed with you in Panama.

Who applies?:


The principal applicant and his or her dependents may apply.

For immigration purposes, dependents are understood to be:

  • 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 main applicant and his/her family travel to Panama with the listed requirements. Only one family member cannot travel to represent everyone.

  • One visit is required for 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 main applicant and dependents with identification as a “person in the process of residence”

  • During the period of the residency process, you and your family can travel outside of Panama without any restrictions.

  • Approval of the procedure takes on average 4 and a half months.

What document(s) need to be legalized for this procedure?

  • Pension letter (public or private)

  • Certification of existence of a company that pays pension (only if the pension is private)

  • Pension payment statement (only if the pension is private)

  • Criminal record

  • Marriage certificate

  • Birth certificate (in cases of having children or parents requesting)

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 by means of the Apostille seal, which is regularly obtained from the foreign ministries of the country of origin.

Benefits:

  • Grants permanent resident status in a single procedure

  • 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.

  • Importation or purchase of vehicle with exemption from introduction taxes every 2 years.

  • Importation of personal belongings with exemption from import taxes.

  • Entitlement to senior citizen discount benefits (list of benefits by clicking)

List of Benefits for Retirees:

  • Services: 50% discount on entertainment activities (cinema, theatre, concerts, etc.)

  • Transport:

    • Buses: 30%

    • Trains 30%

    • Boat, water taxis: 30%; and

    • Airfares: 25%

  • Hotels and motels:

    • 50% from Monday to Thursday

    • 30% Friday, Saturday and Sunday

  • Restaurants: 25%

  • Fast food restaurants: 15%

  • Hospitals and clinics: 15%

  • Prescription drugs: 20%

  • Medical services:

    • 20% of medical fees

    • 15% dental services

    • 15% optometrist services

  • All professional and technical fees: 10% to 20%

  • Prosthesis: 20%

  • Passports: 50%

  • Electricity: 25% up to 600kWh per month

  • Telephone: 25%

  • Water supply at 25%.

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