What documents do I need to move to Panama as a United States citizen?

Typical pathway: Friendly Nations

Last verified: September 22, 2026

Valid U.S. passport (original, with at least 3 months validity remaining) (before) — Source: https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1
Original U.S. passport presented at Panamanian immigration on entry and at the National Immigration Service (SNM) when the residency file is filed. Panama requires U.S. nationals to hold a passport valid for a minimum of three months on entry, plus proof of onward travel and economic solvency for tourist entry.
FBI Identity History Summary (federal criminal record check) (before) — Source: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks
Police/criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship or of residence for the last 2 years, required for each applicant over 18. U.S. applicants typically use the FBI Identity History Summary; it is generally accepted only if recently issued (commonly within 3–6 months) — confirm the acceptable issuance window with SNM or your Panamanian attorney, as practice varies.
Apostille (Hague Convention) on the FBI criminal record (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html
The U.S. criminal record must be apostilled before use in Panama. For FBI-issued documents the apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications; documents issued by a U.S. state (e.g., state police record, vital records) are apostilled by that state's Secretary of State.
Apostilled U.S. civil status documents for dependents (marriage certificate / children's birth certificates) (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html
Only if a spouse, dependent children (generally under 25 if studying) or dependent parents are included in the application. Certified copies must be apostilled by the issuing state's Secretary of State and later translated into Spanish.
Evidence of the qualifying economic tie to Panama (one of three pathways) (before) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Since the 2021 reform, the applicant must document one of three grounds: (a) employment with a Panamanian company, (b) titled Panamanian real estate worth at least US$200,000, or (c) a three-year fixed-term bank deposit of at least US$200,000 in a Panamanian bank. Gather the underlying proof (offer letter, purchase contract, source-of-funds evidence) before travelling; deposit/investment thresholds are set by executive decree and should be verified with SNM before filing.
Bank due-diligence pack for opening a Panamanian bank account (before) — Source: Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá
Panamanian banks typically require two bank reference letters, a professional reference letter, recent U.S. bank statements and U.S. tax returns to open a local account. Exact items vary by bank — verify directly with the chosen institution.
Passport-size (carné) photographs of the applicant (before) — Source: https://www.mitradel.gob.pa/migracion-laboral2/permiso-de-trabajo-paises-amigos/
Carné-size photos with the applicant's name written on the back are required for the immigration file and, separately, four photos for the MITRADEL work permit application. These are physical printed photos, distinct from the biometric photo and fingerprints taken at SNM.
Notarized Power of Attorney and residency application form (Poder y Solicitud) (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Panamanian law requires the residency file to be submitted by a licensed Panamanian attorney; the applicant signs a Power of Attorney before a Panamanian notary, which must state the name and nationality of the applicant's parents. Signed in Panama during the setup trip.
Notarized copy of the complete passport (Panamanian notary) (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
A full photocopy of every page of the U.S. passport, authenticated by a Panamanian Public Notary and attached to the file. This is a separate item from presenting the original passport at SNM.
Certificate of good health from a Panamanian physician (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Medical certificate for each member of the family group, issued by a doctor licensed in Panama within the three months before the file is presented. Cannot be obtained abroad.
Sworn declaration of personal background (Declaración Jurada de Antecedentes Personales) (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Standard SNM form completed and sworn by the applicant, separate from the foreign criminal record certificate.
Certified check for US$250 payable to the Tesoro Nacional (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Immigration category fee, paid by certified or cashier's check drawn on a Panamanian bank, for each applicant in the family group.
Certified check for US$800 payable to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (repatriation deposit) (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Repatriation deposit paid by certified or cashier's check from a Panamanian bank, applicable to each applicant aged 12 or over; certain categories are exempt. Non-refundable once SNM issues a resolution.
Official Spanish translations of all foreign-issued documents (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
All English-language documents (FBI record, marriage/birth certificates, employment or investment evidence) must be translated into Spanish by a translator licensed as a public translator in the Republic of Panama.
Carné de Trámite (temporary processing card) (during) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Issued by SNM after the complete file is accepted (reportedly within about 5 business days); it evidences the pending application and legalises the applicant's stay while the case is reviewed. Fingerprints and a biometric photo are captured at SNM at this stage.
Provisional residence card (2-year Permiso de Residente Provisional) (after) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Issued on approval and valid two years; the holder must collect it in person at SNM. Processing commonly runs about 2–6 months depending on the file.
MITRADEL work permit (Países Específicos / Países Amigos category) (after) — Source: https://www.mitradel.gob.pa/migracion-laboral2/permiso-de-trabajo-paises-amigos/
Required to work for pay in Panama; residency alone does not authorise employment. The application requires a notarised copy of the SNM card (approved or in process), four carné photos, registration in the National Migrant Labour Registry and a notarised power of attorney. Granted provisionally for three years, renewable, with 9 social-security contributions or a tax return and paz y salvo needed for renewal.
Proof that the qualifying economic tie has been maintained (after) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
For the permanent residency conversion after two years, the applicant must show the original basis remains in force — e.g., the fixed-term deposit still active, the property still titled, or continued genuine employment (updated employment letter, CSS record, tax filings).
Permanent residency application file (PPP-PE) after two years (after) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Filed at the end of the provisional period through a Panamanian attorney. It reuses the same documents as the initial application, updated, plus submission of the provisional residence card; the foreign criminal record certificate and the government certified checks are generally not required again — confirm current requirements with SNM before filing.
Cédula E (carné de residente permanente) from the Tribunal Electoral (after) — Source: https://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/tramite-de-certificacion-de-cedula-o-carne-de-residente-permanente/
The Panamanian biometric ID card for permanent residents, issued by the Dirección Nacional de Cedulación of the Tribunal Electoral only after SNM has approved permanent residency. Requires the SNM 'nota de cédula' authorisation letter, the permanent resident card and the original passport; it is renewed every 10 years.
Proof of Panamanian domicile (lease, title deed or utility bill) (after) — Source: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (migracion.gob.pa)
Commonly requested by SNM, banks, MITRADEL and the Tribunal Electoral to evidence a local address. Accepted formats vary by institution — verify with the receiving authority.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

Want a personalized plan? Start free →