If you have a Panamanian parent, you may already qualify. We’ll handle the rest.
If one of your parents is Panamanian, you may already have a legal right to Panama citizenship by descent, even if you were born and raised outside the country. This guide breaks down who qualifies, how the process works, and what documents are needed to confirm your Panamanian nationality.
Citizenship by descent is a legal right granted to individuals born outside Panama to at least one Panamanian parent. Unlike naturalization, this process recognizes your inherited nationality and restores your full legal status through registration with the Panamanian Civil Registry.
Panama’s Constitution allows citizenship by descent for individuals born outside the country under very specific conditions. You may be eligible if:
Panama does not automatically grant citizenship to foreign-born children. You must formally register and prove your descent to be recognized.
Holding a Panamanian passport offers real advantages:
It also connects you legally and culturally to one of Latin America’s most stable, business-friendly countries.
Before starting the process, you must meet the following basic conditions:
Please note that all foreign documents must be translated and apostilled in order to apply for the visa. Our legal team will guide you during this process, from gathering documents to filing your citizenship request.
We’ll help you collect and prepare:
All non-Panamanian documents must be translated into Spanish and apostilled or legalized through a Panamanian consulate.
We register your birth with the Civil Registry and track the progress until you’re approved as a Panamanian citizen.
Once your registration is approved, we help you apply for your national ID (cedula) and, if desired, a Panamanian passport.
The full process can be completed in as little as 3–4 weeks with correct documentation.
The full process can be completed in as little as 3–4 weeks with correct documentation.
Meet the lawyers who will guide your journey, experts in Panamanian immigration law, fluent in English, and dedicated to helping remote professionals like you make a successful move to Panama. You’re not just hiring a service, you’re gaining trusted legal allies.
Founder
I am a self-motivated and self-taught professional who likes to solve problems.
Founder
I am a self-motivated and self-taught professional who likes to solve problems.
Founder
I am a self-motivated and self-taught professional who likes to solve problems.
We recommend allowing a minimum 30-day stay in Panama if you want everything done in a single trip.
If you have Panamanian roots, this is one of the fastest, most affordable ways to become a citizen of a stable, opportunity-rich country.
However, if you’re not sure about this visa, you should see what other applicants are saying.
Hear from those who have experienced our exceptional services.
No. You have the right, but you must register with the Civil Registry in Panama and prove your descent with legal documentation, including a valid apostilled birth certificate and your parent’s Panamanian ID.
Not until your citizenship is formally registered. Once approved and your national ID (cedula) is issued, you can then apply for a passport. The entire process can be completed within 30–45 days in most cases
Yes. Once you’re officially recognized as a Panamanian citizen, your minor children are also eligible, even if they were born abroad. Their process is simpler when done as a family unit and documented together.
Yes. If at least one of your parents is a Panamanian citizen, you may qualify for Panama citizenship by descent. The process requires legal registration with the Civil Registry and submission of specific documents. It’s a formal but straightforward path, especially when handled by an experienced legal team.
Panama offers several citizenship pathways, but the easiest is through citizenship by descent if you have Panamanian parents. You don’t need to live in Panama or make an investment. With the right documents and legal support, the process is fast, affordable, and usually completed within weeks.
Officially, Panama requires new citizens to renounce previous nationalities during naturalization. However, in practice, Panama permits dual citizenship for those who acquire it by descent or retain ties abroad. Many applicants keep their original passport without conflict, especially when born overseas to Panamanian parents.
