My name is Timothy Zellmer. I am in my 10th year of living full-time in Panamá. I came here on the "friendly nation visa." That program has radically changed since I came in on it. You now need $200,000, not $5000, like I had to have, back when I applied.

But qualifying for the Retirement Program with such great benefits have not changed. It's just as incredible as it's always been. I meet new people applying for the retirement visa every day here in Boquete. It sits on highlands of the Chiriqui Province.

The highlands were formed, in part by the divide's mountain range called "Cordillera de Talamanca." It is formed next to Costa Rica from Volcano Barú, the highest spot in Panama at 11,401 feet (3,475 meters). This garden of eden like area has been attracting foreigners since the Spanish first arrived and got their butts kicked by the local indigenous tribe. The recent wave of retired expats has been much better received.

There are about five areas were Expat retirees tend to move to. But I think number one is the "Perpetual Spring Valley" of Boquete. And I'm not the only one. We have a rapidly growing Expat population from all over the world. And it seems like everybody gets along here. Panamanians, Indigenous, foreign born, and endless backpackers storm our hills with delight.

Boquete and her surrounding highlands, is the Disneyland of Panama for adventures seeking jungle, volcano, wildlife, and hiking trails. It has two National Parks that draw adventure travelers to our village. To the north lies the Amistad or Friendship National Park. It extends far into the Costa Rican wilderness. To the west, watching over us, sits Volcano Baru National Park. Remember that Volcano Baru is the highest spot in the country. You can see her antenna covered broad summit to the west, from the Central Park in Boquete.

Lookie-loos, approaching retirement, find economical housing, public transportation and healthcare in Panama. People tend to have a smile on their face here. People will take time and will talk to you. Everyone loves the many coffee shops in our valley. They also call us "The Bordeaux of Coffee." We just broke another world record by selling coffee for over $7000 per pound! Just average coffee here is better than any I've ever drank in my life.

Questions and Answers:

Is this the same this as the "Pensionado Visa?"
Yes! Panama's retirement visa is sometimes called the "Pensionado Visa." This visa option was first offered in 1987. It was created to get retirees to come, invest and live in Panama for their retirement.

I have a small pension of $800 per month. Is that enough to qualify?
No, the minimum required income is $1000 per month income +$250 to bring your spouse. This means that the country of Panama expects that you will be able to live on that amount of money!

What benefits does Panamá give to all retirees here?
This visa is highly prized because of the basket of discounts given to Expat retirees. It is an extraordinary list. Please jump to the US Embassy information area of this article if that's what you're looking for.

Must I stay a certain number of days in Panamá to maintain this visa?
No you do not. Panamá was very kind to give freedom to foreign born retirees. You do not have to stay any certain number of days per year as is common in many other countries.

Does health care benefits with the "Retirement Visa?"
Just by living in Panamá; whether they are Panamanian or holding a "Panama Retirement Visa" you can access the "Public Health System." Just get in line with your visa documents and passport. It is easy and very very low cost. I often pay 50 cents per visit and just a few dollars for prescription meds there.

Will this cause me to lose my US citizenship?
Not at all. Thousands and thousands of citizens, not just from the USA, come live here without causing the loss of citizenship in their home country.

Will this cause me to lose my Social Security?
No. Payments will not be stopped for living in Panamá. Social Security must be advised though that you are living in Panama.

Will I have to exchange my US dollars into Panamanian money to live there?
Panama uses the US dollar so no exchange occurs even though it's called the Balboa! Some coins are different but it's the same dollar bills we all know.

Is this a trick by the country of Panama just to convince us to come to an unsafe place and get all our money?
No. Panama is a stable democracy where the people enjoy ex-pat retirees living here. It's good for the economy and the people are quite internationally sophisticated because of the long history having the Panama Canal here. Security is top priority for the whole nation. Tourist areas, with high concentrations of foreigners even have a special police force called "Tourist police."

What does the US Government say about this program?
The United States Embassy in Panamá's website has the most concise description on their website of the "Panamá Retirement Visa" program that I have found. I have copied and pasted it here below for your information. All thanks and credit go to the US Embasy:

RETIRE IN PANAMA
Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens:
1) No Visa required.
2) Valid Passport (for at least 3 months, up to 6 months).
3) A round trip ticket.

NOTE: Your application must be submitted in Panama through a lawyer. It can’t be done through the US Embassy.

You will be asked to authenticate the following documents through a "Consulate of Panama" in the US prior to submitting all your paperwork to your lawyer in Panama:

• Certified Birth Certificate (it must be an updated version issued by the Office of Vital Records of the State you were born in)
• Proof of Income – notarized.
• Certified Marriage Certificate, if applicable.
• Original Police Record Check issued by the F.B.I. – stamped and signed.

Our Consulate in Washington can authenticate each document for US$30.00. Please see our legalization of document site for payment information and more details. https://www.embassyofpanama.org/legalization-of-documents-1

To file an application, you must do so through an immigration lawyer in Panama. The retiree residence status requires that applicant demonstrates an income or pension of only US$1,000.00 per month and US$250.00 for each dependent. You can certainly travel to Panama on a tourist visa and later change your status in Panama.

Just to make sure you have all the necessary documentation, the complete requirements are as follows:
• You must apply in Panama
• You must be at least 18 years old
• Your application must be processed by a Panamanian attorney
• Registration Form. To obtain this form applicant must go in person to the Immigration Office in Panama City.
• Letter from a private company or public entity stating your condition of pensioner and amount received per month in original and notarized. You must have a verifiable minimum monthly income of US$1000.00 from a government program or private corporation. This could be Social Security or another government retirement fund, such as military, state retirement, police pension, etc., or retirement from a private corporation. For your spouse or minor children, your minimum income must be increased by US$250.00 per month per dependent.
• Proof of the amount received duly authenticated by apostille seal or Panamanian Consulate. The fee for the authentication of documents by the Panamanian Consulate in Washington D.C. is US$30.00 per document.
• Health certificate issued by Panamanian Doctor.
• Certificate of good conduct (Police record) issued by the authorities at the place of residence during the last five years duly authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate or by Apostille.
• If you are single, go to your local court and ask for a bachelorhood certificate. If none is available, a notary public can certify this in the presence of two witnesses. The document will have to be authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate.
• Four photographs.
• Photocopy of passport, all pages including cover, notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Consulate.
• Sworn statement about personal background. This is done in Panama through a lawyer.
• Original passport.
• You need to physically be in Panama when the visa is issued

If married and applicant wants to include his family, should also provide:
• Power of Attorney.
• Marriage certificate duly authenticated by apostille seal or Panamanian Consulate.
• Certificate of good conduct of wife and children over 18 years old during the last five years, notarized and duly authenticated.
• Birth certificate of children duly authenticated by Panamanian Consulate.
• Photocopy of passport.
• 4 photographs of each dependent.
• Health certificate issued by a Panamanian doctor.
• Sworn statement about personal background done through a lawyer.
• Responsibility Letter duly notarized and authenticated by Panamanian Consulate. All documents issued abroad must be duly authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate or stamped with Apostilled BEFORE submitting paperwork to your attorney in Panama. .Please note that our Consulate may only authenticate U.S. issued birth and marriage certificates. If your documents are from another country you will need to contact the Panamanian Consulate in that country for the authentication

Here is a link to "The Republic of Panama's Online Migration Application."

https://tramites.migracion.gob.pa/portal_migracion_digital/views/inicio.php

Note: This site looks like it is only in Spanish. You can see it in your native language by entering it into the "Chrome Browser." You must add the Google Translate Extention to your Chrome Browser. And you must turn it on to view it translated.

Considered to be among the best retirement programs in the world, the "Panama Pensionado Visa Program" offers excellent incentives such as:
• Import tax exemption for household goods.
• Import Tax exemption to import a new car every two years (please note that you will need to pay other taxes when importing your car. You will be exempt from the import tax only)
• 25% discounts on utility bills.
• 25% discount on airline tickets and 30% on other transportation.
• 15% discount on loans made in your name.
• 1% reduction on home mortgages for homes used for personal residence.
• 20% discount on doctor's bills 15% on hospital services if no insurance applies.
• 15% off dental and eye exams.
• 10% discount on medicines.
• 20% discount on bills for professional and technical services.
• 50% discount on entrance to movie theaters, cultural and sporting events.
• 50% discount at hotels during Monday to Thursday, 30% on weekends.