Panama: New Pathway to Permanent Residence for Long-Term Foreign Students

Panama has published a decree establishing, for the first time, a pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals with long-term academic ties to the country. Under the new framework, a dedicated Permanent Resident subcategory has been created for students who have completed more than six consecutive years of study in Panama. Previously, student immigration status in Panama was strictly temporary, with one-year permits renewable annually and no eligibility to transition to permanent residence. Under the new pathway, eligible applicants must meet standard permanent residence requirements (except for the repatriation deposit) and must provide supporting evidence of their academic history. This includes a certification from an educational institution confirming more than six years of study in Panama, or proof of having held temporary residence permits for educational purposes for more than six consecutive years, issued by the National Immigration Service. For minor applicants, the application must be submitted by both parents, by one parent with the other's authorization, or by the individual with legal custody and care. Under the new process, qualifying students will first be granted a two-year provisional residence permit. Upon completion of this period, they may apply for permanent residence. Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional for case-specific advice. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at  Fragomen.