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PanamaFamily reunification

Family reunification residence in Panama

This is a temporary residence permit that allows the closest relatives of a temporary resident of Panama to live lawfully in the country with them. The permit runs for a limited term and is renewed for as long as the relationship and the sponsoring resident's status continue. The application goes to the National Immigration Service, the documents are notarised and the relationship is evidenced by a marriage or birth certificate or a court custody order. The sponsoring resident separately evidences the ability to support the relatives. The permit does not in itself confer the right to work — for employment the relative needs a separate document.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración (Panamá) — Permisos Migratorios

Who can join the resident

The programme is designed for the closest relatives of a temporary resident of Panama, but children over the age of majority face additional conditions.

Spouse, minor children and parents

  • Apply as the main category with no additional conditions as to age
  • The relationship is evidenced by a marriage certificate, a birth certificate or a court custody order
  • The sponsoring resident evidences income by one of the three acceptable documents

Children aged 18 to 25

  • Must study full time and live on the resident parent's means
  • A certificate of full-time study is also required
  • A certificate that the applicant is not married is also required

When the programme will not suit

You are the spouse of a Panamanian national rather than of a temporary resident

The Casado con Panameño category in the permanent residence section — it has requirements of its own

You are a relative of a permanent resident of Panama rather than a temporary one

The Dependiente de Residente Permanente category in the permanent residence section

You are a foreign national with children who are Panamanian nationals

The Extranjeros con Hijos Panameños category in the permanent residence section

What it costs

Cheque to the National TreasuryThe amount is stated in balboa — the Panamanian currency, pegged to the US dollar one to one250 USD
Cheque to the National Immigration Service800 USD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.1 050 USD

Paid separately

  • Notarising the power of attorney and the application — The cost is set by the notary, separately from the cheques listed
  • The medical certificate and the criminal record certificate — Obtained separately from medical and police bodies; no official rate is published

Documents to gather

The set is assembled by the applicant and the sponsoring resident together; relatives aged 18 to 25 need additional certificates.

  • A notarised power of attorney and application
  • Three photographs
  • A certified copy of the passport
  • A criminal record certificate
  • A medical certificate
  • A declaration of personal details
  • A letter of responsibility from the temporary resident
  • Proof of the relationship — a birth certificate, a marriage certificate or a court custody order
  • A cheque for 250 balboa to the National Treasury
  • A cheque for 800 balboa to the National Immigration Service
  • For applicants aged 18 to 25 — a certificate of full-time study
  • For applicants aged 18 to 25 — a certificate that they are not married
  • Proof of the sponsoring resident's income — a tax return, an employment letter with a CSS slip and a copy of the work permit, or a bank reference

How the process runs

The order is assembled from the National Immigration Service's requirements for the family reunification permit.

  1. 1

    Assembling and notarising the documents

    The applicant and the sponsoring resident prepare a notarised power of attorney and application, a copy of the passport, photographs, criminal record and medical certificates, and proof of the relationship.

  2. 2

    Paying the government fees

    A cheque for 250 balboa to the National Treasury and a cheque for 800 balboa to the National Immigration Service are drawn up.

  3. 3

    Filing the application with the National Immigration Service

    The complete set of documents, together with proof of the relationship and of the sponsoring resident's income, is filed with Servicio Nacional de Migración.

  4. 4

    Issue of the temporary permit

    1 year

    Once approved, Migración issues the temporary residence permit for family reunification for one year.

  5. 5

    Annual renewal

    up to 6 years in total

    The permit is renewed annually with the same set of documents, but now without the criminal record certificate and without the cheques, up to six years in temporary resident status.

Timelines and rights

Work

A work permit is a separate document issued by the Ministry of Labour (MITRADEL). The sponsor evidences income partly by a copy of their own work permit and a certificate from social security.

Who you can bring with you

Each category of relative has its own conditions of proof.

Spouse
The relationship is evidenced by a marriage certificate; there are no age limits
Children under 18
The relationship is evidenced by a birth certificate or a court custody order
Children aged 18 to 25
A certificate of full-time study and a certificate that the applicant is not married are also required — this evidences economic dependence on the parent
Parents of the temporary resident
Apply on the same footing as the spouse and minor children; the relationship is evidenced by the resident's birth certificate

Renewal and the grace period

The permit is renewed annually on the same grounds, up to six years in temporary resident status in total. On renewal the same set of documents is filed, but the criminal record certificate and both government cheques are no longer needed.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The status is temporary: the permit is granted for a year and renewed, up to six years in total. On renewal the same set is submitted, but without the criminal record certificate and without the cheques.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation requires a permanent resident card, so the status is changed first. The period of residence is set by article 10 of the Constitution — five, three or two years. Renunciation of the previous nationality is required in writing and irrevocably.

Frequently asked questions about Family reunification residence

Which relatives can obtain this residence permit?
The spouse, children under 18 and parents of a temporary resident of Panama may apply — with no additional conditions. Children aged 18 to 25 also qualify if they study full time and are financially dependent on the parent.
For how many years is the permit issued and how many times is it renewed?
The permit is issued for a year and renewed annually, up to six years of stay in temporary resident status in total.
What do children aged 18 to 25 have to evidence in addition?
Besides the general set of documents they need a certificate of full-time study and a certificate that they are not married — this evidences economic dependence on the resident parent.
Is a criminal record certificate needed when the permit is renewed?
No — on renewal the same set of documents is filed, but without the criminal record certificate and without the government cheques required at the first filing.
Will this programme suit the spouse of a Panamanian national?
No. For spouses of Panamanians the permanent residence section has a separate Casado con Panameño category with its own requirements, rather than family reunification with a temporary resident.

Other ways to move to Panama

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Panama.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.