Enjoy permanent residency in Panama with just $1,000 in monthly pension income. This updated 2025 guide explains how you can secure the pensionado visa in just 3 days with the support of our legal team.
The pensionado visa Panama grants permanent residency to foreigners with a stable lifetime pension. It’s one of the most accessible and attractive programs for retirement worldwide.
Once approved, the visa of pensionado in Panama gives you permanent legal status, deep discounts, peace of mind, and the possibility to obtain Panamanian citizenship in the future.
The Panama pension visa offers one of the most generous retirement programs in the world. Designed for retirees looking for a stable, tropical, and low-cost lifestyle, this visa gives you everything you need to live better for less.
Here’s why retirees are choosing Panama:
Panama’s pensionado program is not only a path to residency, it´s also a program that makes retirement more rewarding and affordable than in many other countries. Below are some of the key benefits that make this visa so attractive.
These are just some of the panama pensionado benefits that make this program ideal for global retirees. To see the full list, visit our article on the benefits of the Pensionado Visa in Panama here.
To qualify, you must meet the official Panama Pensionado Visa requirements. Below is an overview of the main documents you will need to prepare with our guidance. Please note that all foreign documents must be translated and apostilled in order to apply for the visa. Our legal team will guide you through this process, from gathering the documents to submitting the visa application.
Pension Letter: Issued by a government agency, social security, military pension, or a private company pension plan, certifying a lifetime monthly income of at least $1,000 USD (or $750 USD if you purchase property in Panama). The letter must be notarized and apostilled or legalized.
Police Record: A national criminal background check from your country of origin or residence, issued within the last 6 months and duly apostilled or legalized.
Valid Passport and Photos: A passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining, along with five passport-sized photographs.
Proof of Address: A recent utility bill or rental contract in Panama, or an address declaration made through your attorney.
Health Certificate: Issued by a licensed Panamanian doctor within the last 90 days before the application.
Document Legalization and Translation: All foreign documents must be duly apostilled or legalized at a Panamanian consulate and translated into Spanish by an official Panamanian public translator.
WARNING:
Please note that for this type of visa, it´s not necessary to open a bank account in Panama, as some migration advisors may incorrectly suggest. Do not be misled, the law does not require it for the Pensionado Visa.
Every day, clients come to our firm struggling to meet the Pensionado Visa requirements. Common issues include criminal record entries on background checks, obtaining a pension letter that meets Panama’s standards, and questions about including an adult dependent over 25. Our Panama immigration attorneys evaluate your case, provide lawful solutions, and manage the paperwork from start to finish. If this is your situation, we can help.
The pensionado visa panama cost depends on whether you apply alone or with dependents. Expect:
If you would like to receive an exact cost for you and your family, simply contact us. We provide clear pricing and help you avoid delays or unnecessary expenses. With us, the cost is fair, transparent, and free of hidden fees.
As of 2025, the process of obtaining the pensionado visa remains the same. Below are the key steps when applying with Agroup Consulting
Under Panamanian law (Decree Law No. 3 of 2008, Article 28), all visa applications must be filed through a licensed immigration attorney. Our Panama immigration attorneys will guide you from the first consultation, making sure every requirement is met, and stay with you until your residency is officially approved.
The next step is to collect the required documents for your visa, such as police clearance certificates, proof of financial solvency, and, if applying with family, marriage and birth certificates. All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. Don’t worry, our team will guide you step by step in obtaining these documents and the necessary apostilles in your home country.
Once your documents have been reviewed and approved by our attorneys, we will schedule your first trip to Panama. You should plan to stay at least three days in Panama City to complete the visa application process. Upon arrival, our team will pick you up from the airport and have all documents ready for your signature. Within a maximum of three days, we will accompany you to the National Immigration Service to file your application.
Within three days, we make sure your visa application is filed and you receive a provisional residency card valid for six months. During this period, you can either stay in Panama or return to your home country. Once the Immigration Office finishes processing your permanent residency card, our team will notify you and personally accompany you to “Migracion” to collect it.
Warning:The steps outlined above reflect the process carried out exclusively by our attorneys, backed by more than 15 years of experience and a record of 0% visa rejections. Thanks to this expertise, most applications are finalized in just 3 days. Working with traditional firms often results in longer waiting times, and incomplete documentation can significantly increase the risk of delays or even a visa denial.
At Agroup Consulting, we work with top Panama immigration attorneys specializing in the Pensionado Visa. With over 15 years of experience, a 0% denial rate, and the trust of more than 100 expats in Panama, our firm delivers trusted services that help you secure residency with complete confidence.
The Panama pensioner visa is designed for individuals who are officially retired and receive a guaranteed lifetime pension. To qualify, you must meet the following basic requirements:
The Panama visa of “Pensionado” is available to applicants from many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and others. Your pension income must be for life, and the official pension certificate must be authenticated by the Panamanian consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country. If you are applying from the US, Canada, or the UK, our local offices can guide you through the process of obtaining this certificate quickly and easily.
Yes. The visa de pensionado Panama (also referred to as the visa pensionado Panama) allows you to include your spouse and dependents. You’ll need to show an extra $250 per month for each dependent.
Only spouses and children under 25 can be added as dependents.
Everyone included in your application will receive lifetime permanent residency under the Panama pensionado visa.
USA
Canada
United Kingdom
You need at least $1,000/month in lifetime pension income, plus $250 for each dependent.
No. With the pension visa Panama, you only need to visit Panama once every two years to maintain your residency.
No. The Panama pensionado visa does not allow you to work in Panama, but you can receive income from abroad or passive investments or own a Panamanian Company.
Most clients receive their permanent residency within 2 to 4 months, depending on document quality and processing speed.
