Panama: Process by which a foreigner married to a Panamanian citizen may obtain resident status and citizenship; effect that separation or divorce can have on the residence or citizenship status
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAN30184.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Panama: Process by which a foreigner married to a Panamanian citizen may obtain resident status and citizenship; effect that separation or divorce can have on the residence or citizenship status, 1 October 1998, PAN30184.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab706c.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was provided by a representative at the Consular Affairs Section of the Embassy of Panama in Ottawa during a 9 October 1998 telephone interview. This adds to the information provided in PAN10827 of 7 May 1992.
A foreigner who marries a Panamanian citizen and wishes to reside in Panama must present a request for a spousal temporary residence visa before Panamanian authorities with a legal document attesting to his marriage and proof of the spouse's Panamanian citizenship. If abroad, this can be done before Panamanian consular authorities; in Panama, the request must be made before the Direccion Nacional de Migracion (National Migration Directorate), of the Ministry of Justice.
After at least one year of legal residence in Panama, the foreigner can request a permanent resident visa. Citizenship can be requested after at least three years of having permanent resident status in Panama.
A permanent resident or citizen of Panama cannot be stripped of his or her status due to legal separation or divorce. However, if the person is separated or divorced while holding a spousal temporary residence visa, the separation or divorce would likely be taken into account when assessing a request to renew the temporary visa or acquire a permanent residence visa.
Additional details on residence requirements for obtaining Panamanian citizenship can be found in Title II of the Constitution of Panama, revised and updated in 1994, available through your Regional Documentation Centre. Please note that the Consular Affairs Section official indicated that there have been no revisions or updates to the Constitution on residence or citizenship matters after 1994.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Consular Affairs Section, Embassy of Panama, Ottawa. 9 October 1998. Telephone interview with representative.
Constitutions of the Countries of the World. December 1995. Edited by Gisbert H. Flanz. "Republic of Panama." Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications.
Additional Sources Consulted
Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, Global NewsBank, Refworld.
Note:
This list is not exhaustive. Country and subject-specific books available in the Resource Centre are not included.
