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Many people dream of moving to Panama, but they run into one big problem:
They do not yet qualify for the Pensionado visa.
Maybe they are not collecting Social Security.
Maybe their pension will not start for another two, three, or four years.
Maybe their Social Security is close to the required amount, but not quite enough yet.
If that sounds like you, you may not have to wait.
Panama has a special temporary visa option for U.S. citizens that could allow you to live in Panama legally while you wait to qualify for the Pensionado visa.
It is called the Visa de Estadía Eventual, and it was created by Executive Decree No. 181. This decree created a non-resident temporary stay visa specifically for nationals of the United States of America.
What Is the Visa de Estadía Eventual?
The Visa de Estadía Eventual is a temporary stay visa for U.S. citizens who want to enter Panama without establishing temporary or permanent residency right away.
According to Executive Decree 181, this visa may be requested by U.S. nationals who enter Panama for purposes such as studies, investment, occasional work, technical work, or labor transfer. The decree says the visa is issued for one year and may be extended annually for up to five years, as long as the applicant continues to meet the requirements of Panama’s National Immigration Service.
This is very different from the Pensionado visa.
The Pensionado visa is a permanent residency visa for people who can prove a lifetime pension, Social Security, or qualifying annuity income. But many people who want to move to Panama are not quite there yet.
That is where this temporary visa may help.
It can be a bridge that allows certain U.S. citizens to live in Panama legally while they wait to qualify for the Pensionado visa later.
Who Could This Visa Help?
This visa may be a good option for U.S. citizens who:
Are not collecting Social Security yet.
Are waiting for a pension or annuity to begin.
Have Social Security that is close to the Pensionado requirement but not quite enough yet.
Want to move to Panama before they qualify for permanent residency.
Want to avoid risky border hops.
Want a legal way to stay in Panama longer than a regular tourist stay.
This could be especially helpful if you know you want to move to Panama, but your long-term visa option is still a few years away.
Instead of sitting in the United States waiting, you may be able to come to Panama sooner, start learning the country, rent before you buy, get familiar with the healthcare system, build friendships, and decide which area is the best fit for your lifestyle.
How Long Is This Visa Good For?
The Visa de Estadía Eventual is granted for one year.
It can be renewed annually for up to five years.
That means this visa may give you enough time to live in Panama while you wait to qualify for the Pensionado visa.
For example, if you are 59 and will start collecting Social Security at 62, this could potentially give you a legal option to live in Panama during those waiting years.
Or, if your Social Security is currently a little below the Pensionado requirement but will increase later, this visa may give you time until you qualify.
This Is Not the Friendly Nations Visa
Many people assume that if they do not qualify for Pensionado, they have to use the Friendly Nations visa.
But the Friendly Nations visa usually requires a major financial commitment, such as real estate, a bank CD, employment, or other qualifying economic ties.
That does not work for everyone.
Not everyone wants to buy real estate before living in Panama.
Not everyone wants to tie up a large amount of money in a bank CD.
Not everyone wants to start a business or work in Panama.
The Visa de Estadía Eventual may be a simpler and more affordable solution for some U.S. citizens who just need a temporary legal way to stay in Panama while waiting to qualify for Pensionado.
Basic Requirements
Executive Decree 181 lists several documents required for this visa.
These include a visa application form, three photographs, a copy of the identity document from the applicant’s country of origin, a $100 payment receipt for immigration services, proof of hotel reservation or proof of where the applicant will stay, and documentation related to the activity being used for the application. The easiest way is to set up a corporation. If dependents are included, the decree requires a letter of responsibility and proof of family relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
For renewals, the decree states that the applicant must meet the same requirements, except for the $100 immigration service payment listed in the original application.
Of course, immigration procedures can change, and how the requirements are applied can depend on your specific situation. That is why it is very important to work with a qualified immigration attorney in Panama.
What Does This Visa Cost?
The government immigration fee for this visa is only $100 per person. When you include the cost of setting up a Panama corporation, attorney fees, and all related legal fees, most applicants can expect to pay less than $2,500 total to obtain this visa. That makes it an affordable way for qualified U.S. citizens to legally live in Panama for up to five years, with annual renewals.
We Worked Out a Special Deal With an Immigration Lawyer
Here is the exciting news.
We worked out a special deal with a trusted Panama immigration lawyer to help U.S. citizens apply for this visa in just a few days at a very affordable price.
This could make the process much easier and less stressful.
Surprisingly, most of the immigration lawyers we spoke with were unaware of this visa! You don’t want to deal with a “rookie” for something so important.
It’s better to work with someone who understands the process and can help you prepare the correct documents.
This is exactly why we created the Online Panama Relocation Guide.
We do not want you guessing.
We do not want you relying on outdated information from Facebook groups.
And we definitely do not want you making expensive mistakes because you used the wrong visa strategy.
Inside the Online Panama Relocation Guide, we explain your visa in more detail and give you a simple list of documents you need to gather before coming to Panama to get the visa. We also connect you with trusted professionals who can help you get this visa in just a few days!
Why This Visa Could Be a Game Changer
For years, many people thought they had only two choices:
Wait until they qualify for the Pensionado visa.
Or spend a lot of money to qualify for another visa.
But this temporary stay visa may create another path for U.S. citizens who are in that in-between stage.
You may not be ready for Pensionado yet.
You may not want to invest $200,000 in real estate or a 3-year CD
You may not want to start a business.
You may simply want to live in Panama legally while you wait for your retirement income to begin.
For the right person, this visa could be the bridge that makes that possible.
Important: This Is Not Permanent Residency
It is important to understand that this is a non-resident visa.
It is not permanent residency.
It is not the same as the Pensionado visa.
It does not give you the same benefits as the Pensionado visa, such as Panama’s famous retiree discounts.
But it may allow you to live in Panama legally for a longer period while you wait to qualify for Pensionado.
Once you qualify for the Pensionado visa, you can talk to an immigration attorney about switching to that better long-term option.
Do Not Do Border Hops Without a Plan
Some people try to live in Panama by doing border hops every 90 days.
That means they leave Panama and come back in to reset their tourist stay.
But that can be risky.
Immigration rules can change. Officers can deny re-entry. Airlines can ask questions. And there is no guarantee that what worked before will continue working.
A legal visa strategy is much better than hoping border hops will keep working forever.
That is why this temporary visa may be worth exploring if you are a U.S. citizen and you want to move to Panama before you qualify for Pensionado.
Get the Right Help Before You Move
Moving to Panama is not hard when you know what to do.
But it can become expensive and stressful if you do things in the wrong order.
Before you sell everything, ship your belongings, bring your pets, sign a long-term lease, or try to apply for a visa, make sure you understand your options.
The Online Panama Relocation Guide gives you step-by-step information about visas, rentals, healthcare, banking, driver’s licenses, bringing pets, shipping, and much more.
And now, we can also connect you with an immigration lawyer who can help with this temporary visa option for U.S. citizens at a very affordable price.
Final Thoughts
If you want to move to Panama now but do not yet qualify for the Pensionado visa, do not give up.
You may have another option.
The Visa de Estadía Eventual, created by Executive Decree 181, allows U.S. citizens to stay in Panama temporarily for one year at a time, renewable for up to five years.
For some people, this could be the bridge they need until they qualify for Pensionado.
The key is getting the right advice before you apply.
Get the Online Panama Relocation Guide today, learn how to move to Panama the right way, and find out how our trusted immigration lawyer can help you apply for this visa quickly and affordably.
You do not have to wait years to start your new life.
With the right information and the right team, you really can Live Better for Less in Panama.
