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Law No. 493 of October 28th, 2025, published in the Official Gazette on October 29th, 2025, amends Law 32 of 2013, which established the Panama Passport Authority, with the purpose of strengthening and modernizing the Permanent Residence Program for Qualified Investors.
Relevant Aspects
Law 493 updates and expands the duties of the Panama Passport Authority with respect to the issuance of passports to foreign nationals who are permanent residents under the Qualified Investor category.
Main Changes
Article 20: Authority over passport issuance.
The Passport Authority shall be responsible for the issuance and authorization of:
- Ordinary electronic passports issued exclusively to Panamanian nationals.
- Diplomatic, consular, official, and special passports, upon request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Passports for Retiree Rentiers and Qualified Investors and their dependents, as recognized by the National Immigration Authority.
Article 23: Passports for foreign nationals with residence permits under special policies.
- Temporary residence permits under special policies, such as Retiree Rentiers and their dependents.
- Permanent residence permits for economic reasons under the subcategory of Qualified Investors and their dependents.
Article 24: Requirements for special passports.
Retiree Rentiers, Qualified Investors, and their dependents shall submit before the Passport Authority:
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- Resolution issued by the National Immigration Authority.
- Payment of applicable fees and charges.
- Forms and any additional regulatory requirements.
- These special passports shall have a validity period equivalent to the immigration permit granted and shall neither replace the ordinary passport nor confer nationality.
Article 25: Registry and control.
The Passport Authority shall implement a systematized registry of foreign nationals who:
- Hold the benefit of a passport under the Retiree Rentier Visa.
- Are permanent residents as Qualified Investors and their dependents.
Validity and Regulation
- The Executive Branch shall regulate this Law within a maximum term of six (6) months as of the date of its promulgation.
- This Executive Decree entered into force upon its promulgation in the Official Gazette, that is, as of October 29th, 2025.
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