Menu

Free 200+ Page eBook

Top 57 Places to Live & Invest in the Tropics

Quickly find out which country is right for you.
No-hype updates & resource guides. No Spam. Ever.
Limited offer. Instant Download.

Join More than 58,187 people who are breaking free


we value your privacy

Hot Real Estate Offer

Tips for Managing Panama’s Challenging Visa Application Process

By in Panama
Panama visa

M. Drumb

Whether you’re retiring to Panama with a pensioner’s income or moving down as a young professional to work in a specialized field, you can easily find a Panama visa option that’s right for your particular situation.  Now actually obtaining that visa, on the other hand, can be a completely different story.

While Panama is known the world over for its friendliness to foreigners and its inviting list of visa options, its efficiency and straightforward processes are unfortunately not among its strong suits.

Picture the DMV in the U.S.  On a Friday.  The last day of the month.  With the computer system down.  Now double it.

That’s not to say that obtaining your visa in Panama is always difficult.  It isn’t.  But it can easily become that way.  And it’s due largely in part to the Panamanian way of doing things.

Things in Panama move slower, in general.  You can wait days for a repairman to actually show up at your house to fix a leaky faucet.  Panama Immigration Services is no different.

In addition, the rules in Panama are always changing.  The requirements someone laid out for you yesterday might not hold true tomorrow.  Or you might just get a different story from the person you talk to the next time.

Don’t let it frustrate you.

While the process of obtaining your Panamanian visa can be stressful, it’s manageable.  And, most importantly, it’s worth it.  With the right team of professionals and these important tips, you can make things go a little more smoothly.

  1. Be represented.  A qualified attorney can be a huge asset when navigating the immigration process, beginning with choosing the best visa for your needs.  Find someone who has experience with the system and has helped other gringos obtain the same visa you’re after.  You can get recommendations from other trusted professionals you’ve dealt with or from other expats.

  1. Be knowledgeable.  Before applying for your visa, make sure you’ve researched your options and are choosing the right one for you.  Take into consideration whether you’ll be investing in property, whether you have a high enough monthly income, or whether you plan to work once you get here.  These factors determine whether you will qualify for a specific visa at all, so don’t miss this important step.

  1. Be reasonable.  With your expectations, that is.  Obtaining a visa is not like renewing your driver’s license, where you go in, wait in a long line, and leave with what you came for.  Understand the process for what it is and prepare yourself to approach it calmly and with your end goal in mind.  Remember that, despite the fact that the government or even your attorney gives you a projected time frame, it’s never a guarantee.  If you know that going in, it can make the entire process far less stressful.

  1. Be prepared.  Once you know (or at least think you know) what all will be required for your application, get all of your documentation in order.  This will include things like your passport, proof of income, employment verification, and other important papers.  It’s best to have a few copies of each if possible.  Make sure they’re all in Spanish and notarized where necessary.

  1. Be patient.  And not just the waiting-in-a-long-line kind of patient.  Sure, you’ll do some of that too.  You’ll want to bring a book or magazine, or maybe even use the time to brush up on your Spanish.  But, beyond the temporary waiting in line, there can be months of frustration and uncertainty.  Don’t worry.  Don’t stress.  Just trust your team to do everything they can to keep moving the ball forward.  Then wait patiently and trust that you’ve done everything you can for the moment.  When it’s time for the next step, move the ball forward a little more.  Repeat.

  2. Be polite.  It’s true in almost any situation, but when dealing with Panama Immigration Services you can truly catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  A simple “Buenos dias” and a smile can brighten the day of the person stuck behind the desk you’re standing in front of.  Especially when they’ve just dealt with hundreds of people before you who weren’t nearly as affable.  While there’s probably not a lot of leeway for any kind of special treatment, they’re much more likely to offer it if you’re nice.

  1. Be persistent.  We mentioned that rules and requirements change a lot in Panama, and foreigners are often left in the lurch when that happens.  When you show up with everything you need, only to be told you’ll need something else, simply smile graciously and go back to the drawing board.  When it happens again the next time (and it could), just keep doing everything you can to keep the ball moving forward.

  2. Be ready to do it all again.  With many visas, such as the popular Pensionado Visa, the government requires an annual renewal to ensure that you’re still meeting the requirements that allow you to hold the visa, such as proof of your continued income.  Don’t let these dates sneak up on you.  Remain proactive and line up the required documents well in advance of any deadlines.  Hopefully the renewal process will only get easier with time.

While obtaining a visa in Panama isn’t always a walk in the park, it’s well worth the sacrifice to be able to call this attractive retirement haven your home.  Now that you know how to approach the process, you’re miles ahead of many other would-be expats.  The next step is to narrow down your options.

Up Next

7 of the Top Places U.S. Expats Are Living in Latin America (and Why)

New data shows where U.S. expats are residing all across the globe. Many of the top destinations are in nearby Latin America. Find out why. (Read It)

Central America's Best Real Estate Buy

Don't miss this up and commer. It has the tropical lifestyle, stunning beauty, and smokin appreciation potential. (Read It)

The World’s Top 10 Best Places to Put Your Money

Offshore banking isn't just for the super rich. But how does the average Joe decide where to put his money? Here are the world's top banking jurisdictions. (Read It)

Nosara, Costa Rica Everything You Need to Know. I Mean Everything.

Imagine a small, beautiful beach town surrounded by jungle and wildlife with a peaceful multicultural community and many of the comforts of home. That place, named by National Geographic as one of the top surf …

(Read It)
panama city panama real estate update

Panama City, Panama Real Estate Market Update

Today we have a guest post written by Kent Davis, owner of one of the most successful real estate brokerages in Panama City The Panama City real estate market may have finally taken a turn in …

(Read It)
costa rica websites

Top 133 Costa Rica Websites for Expats and Investors

Did you know there are dozens and dozens of great resources on Costa Rica for expats and investors? Sure, we have a ton of resources for Costa Rica on our site, and a whole bunch …

(Read It)

The Truth about Living in Costa Rica: The Good, the Bad, and the Muddy

It's easy to find tons of articles and information out there highlighting all the great benefits of living in Costa Rica. But it's also easy to read those blogs and marketing pieces and think, "Yeah, it …

(Read It)

Why Nosara, Costa Rica Is Not Your Average Surfing Town

A deeper look at Nosara and its history will quickly reveal that this long-time mecca for surfing enthusiasts offers so much more than just the sand and sea. The increasing interest in the area as a …

(Read It)

Expats Are Still Falling in Love with Nosara and Here’s Why

What was once the up-and-coming expat haven of Nosara, Costa Rica, has blossomed into one of Costa Rica's most established expat communities that continues to be ranked near the top of the list of most desirable destinations in the Latin …

(Read It)

One thought on “Tips for Managing Panama’s Challenging Visa Application Process

  1. 1

    Another EXCELLENT article ! And, if I may say so…I believe the way you stressed the whole Attitude-Adjustment-UP-FRONT idea, being one of the most important things a person can do, was spot-on ! And I can certainly appreciate the humor: “Picture the DMV in the U.S. On a Friday. The last day of the month. With the computer system down. Now double it.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hot Real Estate Offer

Real Estate In The Area

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.