Carlos E. Villalobos Jaén Appointed as Supreme Court Justice
12/11/2025
Icaza at INTA 2025 Leadership Meeting
24/11/2025Law 493 of October 28, 2025: Special Passport for Qualified Investors and Retired Rentiers
On October 28, 2025, Law 493 was enacted, amending the current legislation on passports to allow the issuance of a Special Passport to:
- Qualified Investor permit holders and their dependents; and
- Holders of the Retired Rentier permit and their dependents,
recognized by the National Migration Service.
Requirements
To apply for this passport, the interested party must:
1. Submit to the corresponding authority the administrative resolution issued and authenticated by the National Migration Service, certifying their approved immigration status.
2. Pay the established fees and charges.
3. Complete the forms and any other requirements established by the regulations.
The Law instructs the Executive Branch to issue the regulatory framework within six months from its enactment.
Validity and Scope
- The passport will be valid for the same duration as the corresponding immigration permit.
- This document does not replace an ordinary passport, does not confer nationality, and does not constitute evidence of Panamanian citizenship.
In practice, it is a travel passport linked to immigration status, not a mechanism for naturalization or an exemption from international immigration policies.
Important Considerations
Historically, documents of this nature have had limited practical use for travel because:
- Most countries maintain strict immigration policies and require the presentation of the traveler’s original passport for entry.
- Foreign visas cannot be stamped in this document (for example, a U.S. tourist visa).
- Its international recognition is limited and subject to the discretion of each country.
Therefore, this passport should not be interpreted as an alternative for traveling without using the passport of one’s country of origin.
Our firm will offer the process only to those who expressly request it, with the understanding that:
- Its practical use may be limited;
- Its acceptance at foreign borders is not guaranteed; and
- It entails costs that each client must evaluate according to their particular situation.
This memo is for informational purposes and does not constitute a recommendation to apply for the passport, but rather an objective explanation of the new regulation.
For specific inquiries or to analyze your individual case, contac us: bd@icazalaw.com
