Temporary Visitor - Missionary
Fees & Costs
There are a number of different types of Missionary Visas, which are
permitted for temporary residence in Panama.
- Clergy of the Catholic or Orthodox Church
- Laypersons of the Catholic or Orthodox Church
- Clergy student of the Catholic or Orthodox Church
- Ministers, Rabbi, Pastors, Leaders or Clergy of
other denominations or religious associations
All of the above are for a maximum of 6 years, generally with renewal
required every 2 years.
All applicants MUST fulfil the General
Requirements, with the exception of the Repatriation Deposit of $800.00.
ALL documents issued overseas MUST be authenticated. Notarisation of the
documents is not sufficient.
Clergy of the Catholic or Orthodox Church
This visa may be issued by the Immigration Department for the total period
that the clergy member will be in Panama (which shall not exceed 6 years).
The only requirement for this visa, apart from the
General Requirements, is a letter from
the maximum authority to which the missionary or clergy has been assigned, which
certifies:
- activity to be undertaken
- missionary group or religious community to which they belong
- place and time to be spent in Panama.
Laypersons of the Catholic or Orthodox Church
This visa may be issued by the Immigration Department for up to two (2)
years, which may be renewed up to 3 times, giving up to a total of six (6) years
in Panama.
The only requirement for this visa, apart from the
General Requirements, is a letter from
the maximum authority to which the missionary or clergy has been assigned, which
certifies:
- activity to be undertaken
- missionary group or religious community to which they belong
- place and time to be spent in Panama.
For each renewal, it is necessary to present the above documentation.
Clergy student of the Catholic or Orthodox Church
This visa may be issued by the Immigration Department for up to two (2)
years, which may be renewed up to 3 times, giving up to a total of six (6) years
in Panama.
The only requirement for this visa, apart from the
General Requirements, is a letter from
the maximum authority to which the student has been assigned, which certifies:
- that the applicant is a student
- place and time to be spent in Panama.
For each renewal, it is necessary to present the above documentation.
Ministers, Rabbi, Pastors, Leaders or Clergy of
other denominations or religious associations
This visa may be issued by the Immigration Department for up to two (2)
years, which may be renewed up to 3 times, giving up to a total of six (6) years
in Panama.
- General Requirements with the
exception of the Repatriation Deposit of $800.00
- Letter from the Head Office (overseas), which may be the church,
denomination, or religious association, which mentions: the hierarchy
and structure, which appoints the application as a missionary to Panama, and
the number of churches or missions which are established in Panama.
Please remember that this letter, as well as all other documents issued
overseas, must be properly authenticated.
- Letter issued by the local representative of the mission or church in
Panama, which certifies the responsibilities, the place and time in Panama
of the applicant, the financial resources with which the missionary will
live, the amount and how often these resources will be received (whether
these will be from overseas or locally raised), and the commitment of the
church or mission to assume all expenses relating to the repatriation of the
missionary, once their time is completed in Panama.
- Certified true copies of all Diplomas, degrees and titles which the
applicant has.
- Certified true copies of the Church Regulations or Articles of
Incorporation of the organization or church, indicating the planned
promotion to be undertaken by the church or mission (detailing the time,
place, activities, beneficiaries and objectives of the mission)
- Certificate from the Public Registry of Panama which confirms the
registration of the church or mission in Panama and the name of the legal
representative thereof
- Tax return or Social Security Payroll, if the income is from Panama
- Copy of the identification card issued by the church or group to all
members of the mission.
For renewal, the applicant must present the above requirements and
additionally:
- An updated mission or church plan as assigned to the applicant;
- Tax return or Social Security Payroll, if applicable.
Fees & Costs
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Last modified
23-Sep-2009 11:14 -0400
