Panama residency applications require a clean national criminal background check. If your background check shows an offense, a Visto Bueno must be obtained before you can apply for residency. Panama Immigration reviews the offense and the circumstances of the case to determine whether you are approved to move forward.
Quick Answers About Visto Bueno
What Is a Visto Bueno?
A Visto Bueno is a formal approval from Panama immigration for a residency applicant whose national criminal background check shows an offense and therefore is not clean. The Visto Bueno review must take place before the residency application can proceed.
Panama Immigration reviews the offense and the circumstances of the case and decides whether the applicant is approved to move forward with the residency application.
What Happens When an Offense Appears on Your Background Check?
Having an offense on file does not close the door on Panama residency. Panama Immigration looks at the specific offense, when it happened, and what has changed since, then decides whether a Visto Bueno review clears the way for your application to move forward.
What We Review
- Your national criminal background check
- The nature and date of the offense
- Whether the sentence was completed
- The country where the record was issued
- The residency category you are requesting
- Relevant dismissal, expungement, pardon, rehabilitation or other relief documents, when applicable
How the Visto Bueno Process Works
Upload your national criminal background check using the secure form below.
We examine the record and relevant documents and explain the appropriate next step.
If the national criminal background check is not clean and shows an offense, the Visto Bueno process is prepared and submitted before the residency application can proceed.
In recent cases, approval has been received after approximately 45 days. Actual timing can vary depending on the case and the immigration authority's workload.
What the $495 USD Includes
One fee, handled by our Panamanian immigration lawyers from start to finish:
- A confidential review of your national background check and any court documents
- Preparation and filing of your Visto Bueno request with Panama Immigration
- Certified Panamanian translation of your background check, up to 6 pages
- Follow up with Immigration until a decision is received
- Updates from our team at every step
In every Visto Bueno we have handled, approval has been obtained. Every case is still reviewed individually, and the final decision belongs to Panama Immigration.
"I additionally had to overcome a 45 year old police record which could have prevented me from obtaining residency and they were able to overcome it. All went without a hitch and I now have my card. I can highly recommend Panama Visa Expert."
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"It was great to have a knowledgeable 'tour guide' through the process of obtaining residency. Before arriving in Panama this service handled all the preparation professionally and answered my many questions. I additionally had to overcome a 45 year old police record which could have prevented me from obtaining residency and they were able to overcome it. The best part is how I was picked up at my hotel in Panama city and guided through several in person immigration related visits. All went without a hitch and I now have my card. I can highly recommend Panama Visa Expert."
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What Background Check Is Used?
Panama residency applications require a clean national criminal background check from the applicant's country of citizenship or residence. For U.S. citizens, this is typically an FBI background check. For Canadian citizens, the equivalent is an RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check.
Submit Your Background Check for Review
If you are unsure how your record may affect your Panama residency application, submit your background check for a confidential review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Visto Bueno mean for my Panama residency application?
A Visto Bueno is a formal approval from Panama immigration for a residency applicant whose national criminal background check shows an offense and therefore is not clean. The Visto Bueno review must take place before the residency application can proceed.
When is a Visto Bueno needed?
Examples can include a DUI or other driving offense, a misdemeanor, an older offense, or a more serious record. Panama Immigration reviews the offense and the circumstances of the case.
What do you need from me to review my situation?
We start with the national criminal background check and, when relevant, documents showing the outcome of the case.
Is the Visto Bueno fee part of my Panama residency application?
No. The Visto Bueno process handled by Panama Visa Expert has a separate fee of $495 USD.
What does the $495 USD include?
Our fee covers a confidential review of your national background check and court documents, preparation and filing of your Visto Bueno request with Panama Immigration, a certified Panamanian translation of your background check up to 6 pages, follow up with Immigration until a decision, and updates from our team.
Do I need to be in Panama for the Visto Bueno?
No. We prepare and submit the request from your documents, so you can start from home.
Does this apply to the Pensionado visa?
Yes. If your background check shows a record, Visto Bueno comes first for the Pensionado visa too. See the section on the Pensionado visa with a criminal record in our Pensionado guide.
How do I get started?
Book a consultation or upload your national background check using the secure form on this page. We review it confidentially and tell you the next step. For general questions about records and residency, read our guide on residency with a criminal record.
How long does the Visto Bueno process take?
In recent cases, approval has been received after approximately 45 days. Actual timing can vary depending on the case and the immigration authority's workload.
Not familiar with Visto Bueno? If you are first trying to determine whether your criminal record affects your eligibility for Panama residency, see our broader guide on residency with a criminal record: Can You Still Get Residency in Panama With a Criminal Record?