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Investor
Personal Income
Married to Panamanian
Small Investor
Dependent of Resident
Agricultural Investor - Farmer
Reforestation
Employee - Panama Canal
Work Permit

[ Investor ] [ Personal Income ] [ Married to Panamanian ] [ Small Investor ] [ Dependent of Resident ] [ Agricultural Investor - Farmer ] [ Reforestation ] [ Employee - Panama Canal ] [ Work Permit ]

Immigrant as an Investor in Small Enterprise

This immigrant visa requires a minimum investment of Forty Thousand Dollars (USD$40,000.00) in a company or business.

The Application for an Immigrant Visa should be presented, which will give the applicant a Provisional Residency Permit, valid for one (1) year, and renewable thereafter for three consecutive periods. Upon completing those periods, the applicant will be eligible to request Permanent Residency as an Investor in Small Enterprise.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that upon requesting the Immigrant Visa, the applicant will receive a temporary permit, valid for three months, while the Immigrant Visa is being processed. If, at the end of these three months, the application has not yet been approved, the applicant will receive another temporary permit, valid for a further three months. Upon the application being approved, the applicant will receive their immigrant card, as a Small Investor (or Investor in Small Enterprise), with a Provisional Residency Permit and the respective stamp in their passport, both of which are valid for one year. As mentioned above, it is then necessary to request the renewal of the provisional residency and immigrant visa for three consecutive periods.

At the end of this term and upon fulfilling the above requirements, the applicant may then apply for Permanent Residency, with the right to a cédula. (See Requirements) It takes approximately four to five years, from the original application for the immigrant visa, to obtain Permanent Residency.

The same procedure is followed to request the Permanent Residency. The applicant will receive a temporary card, valid for three months, while the application is being processed. The temporary card may be renewed for a further three months if the application has not yet been approved. Upon approving the application, the applicant will receive indefinite residency, with a letter authorising the issuance of a Cédula for personal identification.

After five years of consecutive residency in Panama, as of the date of obtaining Permanent Residency, the applicant will be eligible to apply for citizenship (letter of naturalisation).

Note: All documents which are issued overseas must be duly authenticated via Apostille or by the closest Panamanian Consulate or Embassy in the applicant's home country, and by the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prepared by Beth Anne Gray J. & Roberto Ríos

Requirements to Obtain a Provisional Residency Permit as an Investor in Small Enterprise

Power of Attorney and Application via an attorney/law firm.

Certified cheque or cashier's cheque for One Hundred balboas (B/. 100.00) in favour of the National Treasury. (1 balboa = 1 USD).

Medical Certificate of good health, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date. (Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number).

AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date. (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number).

Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the applicant's country of origin (only where the applicant has lived for less than 5 years of continual residence in Panama).

Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.)

Fotocopy of the passport page where the applicant's general details and photo appear.

Four (4) passport-size photos.

Original passport, which must be valid for at least six (6) months.

Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the applicant's parents.

Documents of the Corporation which evidence the Investment (if you don't already have a company set up here, Shirley & Associates can help you register a corporation in Panama, along with all the necessary registration requirements):

Certificate of Good Standing from the Public Registry, which shows the Name of the Company, its Officers and Directors and the Authorised Capital of the Company (which must be at least US$40,000.00).

Certification of the Secretary or Treasurer of the Company, which vouches that the shares are issued to the Applicant and that the shares are fully paid and issued (the shares must have a value of at least US$40,000.00).

Certification by the company's CPA, stating that the shares are issued to the applicant and that they are fully paid and issued (the shares must have a value of at least US$40,000.00).

Sworn Declaration of the Tax Return of the company, with the original payment receipts (if copies are presented, these must be duly authenticated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance).

Photocopy of the company's Payroll, as presented to the Social Security Board, which must have at least three (3) Panamanian Employees (this cannot be more than three months earlier than the date of presentation).

Certificate of Good Standing for the company, issued by the Social Security Board.

Proof of the investment, which may be shown by any of the following documents:

Sworn Declaration before a Notary Public, stating the amount of the investment, the number of shares issued and that the shares are fully paid and issued.

Contract for the Sale & Purchase of real estate or chattels, duly registered with the corresponding entity (Public Registry or the Municipality).

Commercial Invoices, which must be accompanied by a detailed inventory, prepared by the company's CPA.

Proof of payment of Customs Duties on imported goods.

Declaration of Commercial Activity of the company, duly issued by the Free Trade Zone.

Rental Agreements for Commercial property, in the name of the company.

Proof of payment of ITBM (Sale of Goods tax) at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Copy of the deposit slip where the money was invested by the applicant into the company, duly authenticated by the bank.

Any other document which may show the capital invested in the company.

Note: Where the applicant has dependents, the following documents should be included:

Each dependent of legal age should issue a Power of Attorney to the lawyer/law firm to represent them; parents should issue the Power of Attorney for any minor.

Certified Cheque or Cashier's Cheque for One Hundred balboas (B/.100.00) to the National Treasury for each dependent.

Medical Certificate, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number).

Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the applicant's country of origin (only where the applicant has lived for less than 5 years of continual residence in Panama). (*Not required for minors).

Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.) (*Not required for minors).

Photocopy of the principal page of the passport, where the dependent's general details are.

Four (4) passport size photos for each dependent.

Original passport, valid for at least six months.

Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the parents of each applicant.

Letter of responsibility from the principal applicant for each of the dependents.

Evidence of Paternity:

Marriage Certificate

Birth Certificate

Requirements for the Renewal of the Provisional Residency Permit as an Investor in Small Enterprise

Power of Attorney and Application via an attorney/law firm.
Medical Certificate of good health, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date. (Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number).
AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date. (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number).
Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.)
Fotocopy of the passport page where the applicant's general details and photo appear.
Four (4) passport-size photos.
Original passport, which must be valid for at least six (6) months.
Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the applicant's parents.
Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Public Registry, showing the Company's Name, its officers and directors and the the Authorised Capital of the Company (which must be at least US$40,000.00).
Sworn Income Tax Returns of the company, with the corresponding original payment receipts (if copies are presented, these must be duly authenticated by the Ministry of Economy & Finance).
Photocopy of the Company's Payroll as presented to the Social Security Board, showing a minimum of three (3) Panamanian employees, duly authenticated by the Social Security Board (should not be more than 3 months old).
Certificate of Good Standing of the Company - issued by the Social Security Board.

Note: Where the applicant has dependents, the following documents should be included:

Each dependent of legal age should issue a Power of Attorney to the lawyer/law firm to represent them; parents should issue the Power of Attorney for any minor.
Medical Certificate, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number).
AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date. (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number). (*Not required for those younger than 12 years old).
Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.) (*Not required for minors).
Photocopy of the principal page of the passport, where the dependent's general details are.
Four (4) passport size photos for each dependent.
Original passport, valid for at least six months.
Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the parents of each applicant.
Letter of responsibility from the principal applicant for each of the dependents.

Requirements to Obtain Permanent Residency with the Right to a Personal Identity Cédula, as an Investor in Small Enterprise

Power of Attorney and Application via an attorney/law firm.
Medical Certificate of good health, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date. (Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number).
AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date. (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number).
Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.)
Fotocopy of the passport page where the applicant's general details and photo appear.
Four (4) passport-size photos.
Original passport, which must be valid for at least six (6) months.
Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the applicant's parents.
Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Public Registry, showing the Company's Name, its officers and directors and the the Authorised Capital of the Company (which must be at least US$40,000.00).
Sworn Income Tax Returns of the company, with the corresponding original payment receipts (if copies are presented, these must be duly authenticated by the Ministry of Economy & Finance).
Photocopy of the Company's Payroll as presented to the Social Security Board, showing a minimum of three (3) Panamanian employees, duly authenticated by the Social Security Board (should not be more than 3 months old).
Certificate of Good Standing of the Company - issued by the Social Security Board.
Certificate of Good Standing of the Applicant - issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Expired Provisional Residency Permit.

Note: Where the applicant has dependents, the following documents should be included:

Each dependent of legal age should issue a Power of Attorney to the lawyer/law firm to represent them; parents should issue the Power of Attorney for any minor.
Medical Certificate, issued no more than three (3) months previously to the presentation date Should have the signature and seal of the doctor, showing the doctor's name, code and medical registration number).
AIDS/HIV test, taken no more than six (6) months previously to the presentation date. (Should specify the method used, and have the signature and seal of the laboratory/technician, with their name, code and registration number). (*Not required for those younger than 12 years old).
Police Record (Good Behaviour Certificate) from the local Panamanian police (P.T.J.) (*Not required for minors).
Photocopy of the principal page of the passport, where the dependent's general details are.
Four (4) passport size photos for each dependent.
Original passport, valid for at least six months.
Certification of the complete names and nationalities of the parents of each applicant.
Letter of responsibility from the principal applicant for each of the dependents.
Certificate of Good Standing for each dependent of legal age - issued by the Ministry of Economy & Finance.

Prepared by Beth Anne Gray J. & Roberto Ríos