Can you lose your Panama residency by living abroad?

The rule

Decree-Law 3 of 2008 lets the National Immigration Service cancel a permanent residency when the holder has been absent for more than two years, unless the absence was justified and authorized. The law says Immigration may cancel it, so it is a power, not an automatic loss. Pensionados have no special exception.

Decree-Law 3 of 2008, article 31(3)

If you were away more than two and up to six years

You can ask Immigration to reinstate your residency. Your lawyer files the request within 30 business days after you enter Panama, with a notarized sworn statement explaining why you were away. The resolution that sets this procedure does not list a fee or a fine.

Immigration Service Resolution 17405 of 2019 (Official Gazette 28853)

If you were away more than six years

Reinstatement is no longer available. You start a new residency application, with the documents of a first application.

Immigration Service Resolution 17405 of 2019 (Official Gazette 28853)

What no rule says

We found no rule that lets a short visit to Panama restart the two-year count, and no published procedure to authorize a long absence in advance. Advice you may read online about a 24-hour visit resetting the clock has no legal basis we could find. If you plan to be away for a long time, talk to us before you leave.

• Count your days outside Panama from your passport stamps or entry and exit records.
• If you are close to two years away, plan your return before the date, not after.
• Once back in Panama, the 30 business days start the day you enter: contact us in your first week.

Worried about your time abroad? Tell us when you left and when you plan to return, and we will tell you where you stand.