Residence for spouses of Panamanians
family reunification, provisional then permanent · Official name: Permiso de residente provisional por razones demográficas, reagrupación familiar – casado con panameño(a) (PPT-2 / PPT-3), luego residente permanente (PRP-2 / PRP-3)
Foreigners married to a Panamanian citizen and living with them in a stable, continuous relationship can get a provisional residence permit from the Servicio Nacional de Migración. After 2 years they can apply for permanent residence with the same documents (without a new criminal record or cheque). A marriage interview is part of the process; SNM may waive it when the couple has two Panamanian children together. Foreign parents of Panamanian children aged 5 or older have a similar route.
1 entry rule for Panama based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Panama
Finance
3
Currency
Panamanian Balboa
PAB
Panamanian Balboa
Cost of living
50
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–25%
Income tax (national)
ITBMS (VAT) 7%
Annual taxable income up to USD 11,000 exempt; 15% to USD 50,000; 25% above.
Living
1
Happiness
#37 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign spouses of Panamanian citizens, and foreign parents of Panamanian children.
Eligibility
Marriage to a Panamanian and living together
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe applicant must have married a Panamanian national and live with them in conditions of singularity, stability and continuity.
Marriage interview
Sign in to check this route against your profileSNM may waive the marriage interview if you and your Panamanian spouse have two Panamanian children in common.
- Waiver is at SNM's discretion ('may waive')
Official wording
SNM may waive the marriage interview for a foreigner with two Panamanian children in common.
Widowhood or divorce
Sign in to check this route against your profileAn applicant who is widowed or divorced during the provisional permit and has children from the marriage may still seek permanent residence; presenting the request does not oblige SNM to grant it.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
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- 1 more requirement
- 11 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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