Naturalisation and citizenship in Panama

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Bhavna Team

Member since 01 June 2015

BhavnaTeam23 May 2017 12:38:52

40436

Hello everyone,

What are the requirements for acquiring citizenship in Panama? For example, length of residence, language requirements, employment etc..

What formalities are involved in the process?

What is the policy on dual-citizenship in Panama? Do you have to give up your former nationality?

What are the advantages and benefits of acquiring Panamanian citizenship, in your opinion?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Bhavna

kristc99 Serial expat

Member since 09 December 2012

kristc99Serial expat30 May 2017 17:05:37

881

I don't see any advantages to becoming a citizen of Panama. Since we are here as retirees I don't think we are eligible anyway. But from the little I know, I believe you have to be a resident here for 5 years and pass some tests (in Spanish). Rumor is you can retain your US citizenship without a problem but from what i have read, if you voluntarily take citizenship in another country you are giving up your US citizenship. I wouldn't dream of risking that since I have family in the US and want to be able to visit. Oh, and if you think you can come here to escape the IRS in the US, they will continue to haunt you for I think 10 years.

kristc99 Serial expat

Member since 09 December 2012

kristc99Serial expat30 May 2017 17:07:33

881

A Bob Adams video on the subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuQOGAlEvxc

ATTYejg Member

Member since 30 May 2017

ATTYejgMember30 May 2017 18:23:27

as an attorney, I can assure you that to renounce to the nationality of origin is a key requirement to become a naturalized citizen. However Im aware that there a are many Panamanians with dual citizenship, some of them US/Panama, they were born Panamanian and then they asked for US citizenship while living/working abroad, as far as I know to renounce to the nationality of origin is not a requirement that the US government is currently enforcing in such cases.

brgds

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