	Beth Anne Gray J., LL.B. (Hons.) & Victoria Tejada LL.B. P.O. Box 832-0816 - World Trade Centre - Panama City - Republic of Panama International Legal Services

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Tourist Pensioner - Retirees living in Panama as Permanent Residents

You should also see the Changes to the Retirement Age for Pensioner Visas.

All documents issued overseas must be Authenticated before being presented in Panama

Also regulated by Law N° 9 of June 24, 1987, the retiree or “pensionado” residence status requires that applicant demonstrates an income on pension of only US$500.00 per month and an additional $100.00 for each dependent.

This type of residence is expedite and the status is granted indefinitely, so there is no requirement for renewal. It is necessary to prove to the Immigration Department on an annual basis that you continue to receive the necessary minimum income

Requirements to Obtain the Retiree Status

[before you leave home] [upon arrival in Panama]

Documents in your country of origin:

	Good standing report from Police (Federal) authorities: if you live in the US, this would be the FBI. If you live in the UK, there is an exemption - you do not need to bring this.
	Pension letter - from the Social Security Department (or other pension department) of your country - certifying applicant condition as a retiree and amount earned per month. You must receive this amount, it is not sufficient to bring an "entitlement" letter, indicating what you are entitled to receive when you retire (at some date in the future).
	If you receive a private pension, rather than a government pension, then you must bring the letter indicating what you receive each month, plus proof of the existence of the company responsible for the pension.
	Proof of existence of the pension company: Certificate of Good Standing, issued by the government. In the UK - this is the Companies Registry Office. In the US - this is the Secretary of State of the state where the company is incorporated.
	Marriage certificate (for those who are married)

Please note: a company brochure is NOT proof of the existence of the company. A computer print off (from the company website, etc.) is not considered proof of the existence.

Note: Except for the retiree certification, the same documents must be supplied by the spouse. All of the above documents must be Apostilled or certified before a Panama consulate at the place of issuance.

Help with Authentications: If you need help identifying where to get this authentication done, please contact our office. You will need to provide us with information regarding where you live, so that we can search on the internet to find the closest office to your home where the authentication may be done.

Documents to obtain in Panama:

	Power of attorney (our office will provide you with this)
	Good health medical certificate (HIV Test sometimes required by the doctor)
	Complete copy of passport (our office can make this copy, after you have gone to Immigration for Registration).
	Photographs, carnet size (you can get these at any photo shop)

There will be a number of forms which need to be filled in at our office. Please ask for an appointment.

Fees & Costs of the Pensionado Visa (see link).

Benefits of the Pensionado Visa:

Panamanian law also grants retirees a very good tax exemption package including:

	Tax exemption to import a car every 2 years
	Import tax exemption for households up to US$10,000
	Tax freeze on property taxes
	Multiple tax exemptions and discounts on services in Panama - see Translation of Law 6 (1987), which provides the list of discounts for Pensioners and Retirees in Panama.

To request an immigration form, please email us, or download a word document.

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Last modified 13-Feb-2008 19:09 -0500

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Last modified 26-Sep-2007 17:37 -0400