Immigration Q&A – common questions about visas & residency
The purpose of this short immigration Q&A is to answer some common questions that come up regarding different visas, documents and residency. It’s a mish-mash of different topics & subjects, but all with short answers.
Immigration Q&A #1: Replacing old residency cards
When I went to renew my driver’s license, I was told my immigration card is the “old format”. I thought the immigration card was “permanent” – why do I need to get the new one?
Yes. For many people who have been here since before 2012, they received the “polaroid” immigration card (especially if they received the pensionado visa). This card has no expiration date. But, while it is true that the card does not expire, since 2012 the immigration department has been replacing these cards with new plastic cards and have been asking that everyone pick up their new card.
Do I need an immigration lawyer to do this?
No. You could do it yourself. But you will need the resolution copy or original (the resolution where you were granted permanent residence) and then they will go through the process at the immigration office of issuing you with the new permanent residency card.
What about getting the cédula?
You are not “required” to get the cédula from the Tribunal Electoral, but most clients find it more convenient than the immigration card – as most places will accept the cédula as ID, whereas if you use your immigration card, they will also want to see your passport.
Immigration Q&A #2: Friendly Nations Visa
If I get the friendly nation visa, do I need a work permit?
Well, that depends. Will you be working in Panama? If you intend to work for a company in Panama, then yes, you should have a work permit in order to work legally in the country. Unless they have a special legislation – such as those in Panama Pacific or other zones – where there are special work permit provisions. In those cases, you should get the special work permit. But otherwise, the fact that you will get paid employment, requires that you get a work permit.
I heard that now it’s going to be really hard to get a Work Permit with the Friendly Nations Visa.
As of 2017, the Ministry of Labour tightened up the rules regarding granting work permits to those who apply under Friendly Nations. The work permit application (Ministry of Labour) requires that you present your labour contract (the actual contract, not a letter indicating that you have an offer to work) and the payroll (from the Social Security Department). This payroll will show how many foreign employees the company has on payroll, and the company has to maintain the percentage of foreign employees BELOW the 10% limit.
Immigration Q&A #3: Airport Immigration lines
Once I have my temporary residency and Multiple Entry-Exit permit, can I use the “Panama Resident” queue at immigration at the airport?
Yes, you can.
Even though you are not yet a permanent resident, you are a resident and you can use the resident’s line at immigration when travelling back into the country.
Immigration Q&A #4: Passport renewal
I just renewed my passport – do I need to do anything at immigration regarding this renewal?
Yes – it’s a good idea to go into immigration and get your immigration file updated, because otherwise you may have trouble later with renewal of your driver’s license or other documents. It’salso possible to run into problems coming back through immigration (travelling back into Panama) if you are not carrying your old passport that has the original registration stamp in it. It’s a much better idea to go to immigration with the new passport and get them to transfer the registration stamp to the new passport.
They may also suggest updating your immigration “carnet” or card – so that it has the new passport number in it.
While you are at it, you might also want to check with your Panamanian bank regarding updating their records (not required, but could avoid problems later if you are in a hurry to do something).
Immigration Q&A #5: Permanent Residency & Cédula
Once I get my permanent residency, is there a time limit on how quickly I need to go to the Tribunal Electoral to get my cédula?
Yes — and no. The issue is not so much a time limit, but rather one of when the letter is issued by the immigration office to the Tribunal Electoral, you have a time limit to get the card before that letter and process expires. Otherwise you need to request a replacement letter from the immigration office to Tribunal Electoral. We generally recommend to the client to go straight through that process, leaving us with a power of attorney to pick up on their behalf the cédula, so that they don’t have to be back 2 months later to pick it up in person. For more information about this, please contact Joan Villanueva.
Immigration Q&A #6: Do I need a lawyer?
I would like to apply for a student visa – does this require the services of a lawyer?
In order to apply for a student visa, you are not REQUIRED to have a lawyer, although most foreigners find it helpful to have a lawyer to present the documentation. The requirements state “a legal representative is not indispensable” – I hate double negatives – it would have been easier if they had said “a lawyer is dispensable”. So, you are not required to have a lawyer, but some people find it much easier to get through the bureaucracy with the help of someone who knows their way well around the system.
Immigration Q&A #7: Pensionado Visa – Investment Income / Private Pension
How can I get approved for a Pensionado Visa with only an investment income or non-government pension of $1,000 a month?
Question #1: Is this actually a pension or just an investment account? If it’s just an investment account, then you will not qualify unless you purchase a life-long annuity that gives you the necessary income for the pensionado visa. You will most likely find that there are better investment opportunities than an annuity and would be better off applying for the Friendly Nations Visa!
Question #2: If this is a private pension, please send us what documents you already have and we will help you with contacting your pension provider regarding the remaining documents that are required. The documents requested ARE difficult to put together for a private pension unless it is a company that is easily recognizable (GE, Boeing, Proctor Gamble, etc.).