City of Knowledge Visas:

City of Knowledge

 Immigrant Visa Program

NOTE:  Panama continues to make significant changes to the Immigration Visa framework, laws and regulations.  These changes are often made without advance notice.  Please contact us for up to date information.

Who Qualifies?:

     City of Knowledge Investors, Executives, and other qualified foreign workers.  This includes the Technopark, Business Incubator, and Academic areas.  Also included are applicants' spouses and dependents (children under 18).

Requirements:

     The applicant must be employed by a business or academic institution located in Panama's City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber).

Benefits:

     Panama's City of Knowledge (CoK) offers many technological benefits and fiscal incentives for location there.  Located within the CoK are a technological park, a business incubator and several leading universities and research institutions.

     Visas are issued for a two year period, and the visas also serve as a work permit within the CoK.  Visas are renewable for an additional two year period.

Drawbacks:

     There is a good deal of paperwork and documentation required.  Getting the necessary paperwork and documentation authenticated (via apostil or Panamanian consul) for the provisional visa application is onerous.  All documents must be in order before submission to the Panamanian government.  Most documents from abroad require an apostil, or a certification from the Panamanian consulate.  The Panamanian government is sometimes slow in processing the applications and granting the provisional visas.

An Overview of the Process:

     We will provide you with a checklist of all required documentation* for processing the visas, as well a specific power of attorney authorizing us to process your visas.  We will also provide you with a standard letter of responsibility, wherein you take financial responsibility for your spouse and dependents (if applicable).  You must procure all required, authenticated documentation, and send it to us, along with the signed power of attorney.  We'll take care of the rest.

     The provisional visa process will require at least one face-to-face visit with the Panamanian immigration authorities by the applicant, spouse and dependents (if any), as well as an examination by a licensed Panamanian doctor.  Additional meetings with the immigration department may be required.  We will accompany you, of course, to all meetings.

Our Services:

     We provide investor immigrant visa services to a wide variety of clients, primarily for those who also use us to set up corporations and foundations.  Our fee for processing, submitting and overseeing the entire CoK two year visa process (including review of all documents, preparation, submission, follow up and follow through, etc.) is US$1,450.00 for the applicant, US$400.00 for the spouse, and US$200.00 for each dependent.  Our prices do not include the Immigration Service application fee of US$100.00 per applicant, spouse and dependent.

     Our fees include all legal fees, Notary affidavits, Panamanian physician exam fees and the blood test fees per applicant,  Panamanian police record for applicant and spouse, certified translations into Spanish of submitted documentation, carnet fees, and government stamp tax.  Our price is complete (no hidden charges) and includes:

1. Provision of complete checklist of documents required, along with detailed instructions and orientation to applicant.
2. Provision of specific Power of Attorney for signature by applicant (and spouse and dependents, if applicable).
3. Provision of Letter of Responsibility for signature by applicant.
4. Reception and review of all required documents submitted to us by applicant.
5. Presentation of CoK  visa immigration application and documentation to Panamanian immigration authorities.
6. All legal fees.
7. Provision of licensed Panamanian doctor and laboratory for physical exam and HIV test.
8. Inclusion of good health certification and HIV test with visa application.
9. Panamanian police record.
10. All required certified translations.
11. All government stamps and seals (timbres fiscales) and carnet issuance fees.
12. Accompany applicant and spouse and dependents (if any) to meetings with immigration authorities.
13. The reception of the CoK visas (good for two years).

     * Click here for the detailed checklist and online form to be filled out for processing your City of Knowledge immigration visa.

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