The issue of obtaining citizenship of another country is considered one of the most difficult in legal practice, since any state seeks to preserve ethnic, religious and cultural integrity. Immigrants, more often than not, do not think about such lofty matters, they are looking for a better life. Therefore, it is natural for them to ask how to obtain Panama citizenship, even if they live in the opposite corner of the planet.
Among the advantages of having a passport of this Central American state are the possibility of visa-free travel, doing business, a safe environment, and a stable economic situation. Consider the various options for obtaining Panama citizenship, simplified schemes and programs in accordance with which they operate.
How can you get Panama citizenship?
In the Republic of Panama, there is an institution of dual citizenship, this is the moment that attracts many foreigners - the opportunity to keep their own passport and obtain a Panamanian document. But there is one nuance, a Panamanian passport issued to a foreign citizen has some restrictions, that is, a foreigner cannot become a full member of society. Many are satisfied with this state of affairs.
The process of obtaining Panamanian citizenship is quite long, it starts with obtaining visas allowing temporary or permanent stay in the republic. Visas are different, they take into account certain features, for example, a rentier visa, for those living on a percentage of the amounts invested in the Panama economy. There are retirement visas that allow people of age who have presented a certain amount in the account to live in the country. After obtaining a visa with permanent resident status, you can think about the next stage - obtaining Panamanian citizenship.
In this state, the same legal mechanisms operate as in other countries of the planet, there are institutions for the automatic acquisition of citizenship (for children born to spouses - citizens of Panama), and various naturalization programs. Also, a number of grounds are put forward that are necessary for processing documents for a Panamanian passport: residency requirement (in Panama it is at least five years); immigration status (permanent resident).
The period of residence in Panama must be at least five years, but it starts after obtaining a permanent residence visa. The period can be reduced (up to three years) for certain categories of foreigners, primarily for those who are the spouse of a Panamanian citizen.
Interestingly, the government of the Republic of Panama makes sure that the new citizens of the country are physically and mentally healthy. One of the important conditions for a potential applicant for Panamanian citizenship is the passage of a number of medical procedures, in the list: HIV test; fluorography of the lungs; general medical examination confirming the absence of mental or physical illness, infection.
Naturally, the list of required documents will include passports, marriage certificates, birth certificates (for minor children), photographs. An important document is a written refusal of the applicant from the citizenship of the previous country of residence. This is important only for the host country, since world practice shows that some states will still consider such persons their citizens, while others, on the contrary, will automatically deprive them of their citizenship.
An important role is played by the financial component for the applicant; when submitting documents, the package must include either certificates from the place of work or from the bank. The next condition for naturalization is also quite common in world practice - an exam in language proficiency (Spanish is the state language in Panama), history, ethnography, and culture. Also, the Elected Tribunal (a kind of selection committee) can check the knowledge of the future citizen of the basic laws of the country, in particular, the Constitution, the law on citizenship.
Actions after receiving the Letter of Naturalization
The decision to issue a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Panama is made in writing, a message about the result is sent to the place of residence of the now new citizen of the country. It remains for him to perform very few actions, firstly, to personally visit the Department of Immigration and pick up the letter, depositing a certain amount of money to the account of the department. Secondly, to take the oath of allegiance in the presence of the provincial governor, again paying for the procedure. Receive a new card (Cedula) at the Elected Tribunal by registering as a citizen of the Republic of Panama. This stage is also accompanied by a monetary contribution, but it makes it possible to feel like a full member of society and even take part in the Panamanian elections.
