Move to Panama with a team that gets the job done.

Vicky Stavropoulos is the founder of Panama Visa Expert. She was born in Greece, raised in Canada, and has lived in Panama since 2004. She established Panama Visa Expert in 2015 after more than a decade of firsthand experience living, working, and raising her family in Panama. She works with a team of licensed Panamanian immigration lawyers and local residency coordinators based in Panama City.

Yes. Panama Visa Expert was founded in 2015 by Vicky Stavropoulos and has helped more than 500 clients obtain legal residency in Panama. The firm works with licensed Panamanian immigration lawyers and local residency coordinators based in Panama City, and serves clients primarily from the United States and Canada.

We handle the Pensionado Residency Visa for retirees with a lifetime pension income of at least $1,000 USD per month, the Friendly Nations Visa via real estate purchase of $200,000 USD, a fixed term deposit of $200,000 USD held for 3 years, or employment in Panama including corporate self sponsorship, the Digital Nomad Visa, the Visto Bueno, Panama Cedula processing, and Panama citizenship and naturalization planning.

Fees vary by residency program and include all government and immigration fees as well as our professional service fees. The Pensionado Visa starts at $1,595 USD. A consultation is available to review your situation, confirm which programs you qualify for, and walk through the total costs involved.

Most clients spend approximately 5 business days in Panama completing the initial immigration process and receive their Temporary Residence Visa. After returning home, permanent residency is typically approved within 3 to 6 months. Clients then return to Panama for approximately 2 business days to collect their Permanent Residency card.

Yes. Most Panama residency programs allow spouses and dependent children to be included in the application. The Pensionado Visa, for example, requires $1,000 USD per month for a single applicant and $1,250 USD per month for a couple, with an additional $250 USD per dependent child.

Yes. We help clients prepare documentation and understand current Panama banking requirements before they arrive. Banking preparation is coordinated as part of the residency process so clients are not caught off guard when they get here.

Yes. Many clients continue working with us after residency approval for cedula processing, Panama driver's licenses, work permits, banking preparation, relocation planning, corporate structures, Private Interest Foundations, and long term citizenship and Panama passport planning.

We primarily work with individuals, couples, and families from the United States and Canada who are planning retirement in Panama, building a second residency, or relocating internationally. We also assist entrepreneurs, investors, and Plan B planners who want the legal certainty and flexibility of Panama residency.

Yes. US citizens can continue receiving Social Security payments while living in Panama. Once you have permanent residency and a Panamanian bank account, you can request that the US Embassy deposit your Social Security payments directly into your local account. Your Social Security income also qualifies as the lifetime pension income required for the Pensionado Visa, making it one of the most straightforward paths to Panama residency for American retirees.

No. Panama operates on a territorial tax system, which means only income earned inside Panama is subject to local tax. Pensions, Social Security, rental income from foreign properties, investment returns, and remote work income earned outside Panama are not taxed by the Panamanian government. This makes Panama one of the most tax friendly residency destinations in the world for North American retirees and remote workers. Note that US citizens remain subject to US tax obligations regardless of where they live.

Panama is generally considered one of the safer countries in Latin America for foreign residents, particularly in established expat neighborhoods and communities. Areas such as Costa del Este, Punta Pacifica, El Cangrejo, San Francisco, and Clayton in Panama City are highly regarded by expats. Popular retirement areas such as Boquete, Coronado, and Pedasi also have strong expat communities and low rates of serious crime. Like any country, safety varies by neighborhood and daily habits. Most issues expats encounter involve petty theft and are preventable with standard precautions. Panama has been a stable democracy since 1989.

Cost of living varies significantly by location and lifestyle. Many retirees live comfortably in Panama on $2,000 to $3,500 USD per month as a couple, including rent, food, healthcare, utilities, and entertainment. Panama City costs more than smaller towns and beach communities. Boquete, Coronado, and Pedasi are popular more affordable alternatives with established expat communities. The US dollar is the currency used in Panama, so there are no exchange rate surprises. For a detailed breakdown by region, see our Where to Live in Panama guide.