Legal dual residency in Panama and the U.S. 2025

La Dual Residence, in legal terms, is the condition in which a person maintains a Legal residence status in two countries at the same time. This does not mean having dual citizenship nor does it necessarily imply naturalization in both territories. Instead, it refers to having established permission to live continuously or intermittently in both countries under their respective immigration laws.

A Person With residence in Panama and in the United States, for example, you have the legal right to live, work (depending on the type of visa), open bank accounts and reside for long periods in both places. This status is obtained through separate processes in each country. In the U.S. In the United States, it can be obtained through a Green Card (permanent residence), while in Panama there are several visas such as Permanent Resident by Investment, the visa of friendly countries or retirement residences.

Advantages of dual residency

For many, dual residency offers a unique combination of tax benefits, immigration liberties and a more flexible lifestyle. Among the most notable advantages are:

• Greater international mobility without recurring migratory procedures.
• Access to financial, health and education markets in both countries.
• Possibility to plan taxes strategically.
• Simplification of investments and opening of companies between jurisdictions.

Not to be confused with citizenship

It is important not to confuse legal residence with nationality. Residency in the United States (Green Card), for example, does not make you an American citizen, and the same applies in Panama. You can be a resident without having to obtain a passport from that country.

In short, to have Dual Legal Residency involves complying with the requirements, procedures and regulations of both countries, ensuring that immigration laws are not violated or improper fiscal practices are incurred.

Get the legal residence in Panama in 2025 it remains an accessible and flexible process compared to other countries, which is why it attracts investors, digital nomads, retirees and entrepreneurs from around the world. Panama offers different migratory routes to apply for permanent residence depending on the applicant's profile, and each one has specific requirements that are important to know from the start.

Most Common Visa Options for Residency

Panama offers different types of visas that grant residence, including:

• Visa from Friendly Countries: aimed at citizens of countries with friendly relations with Panama. It requires proof of economic activity, either through employment or a registered company.
• Visa for Retired Persons (Retired): ideal for retired people with a minimum lifetime pension of $1,000 per month.
• Permanent Residence for Economic Reasons: for those who make direct investments in real estate or fixed-term deposits in Panamanian banks.
• Visa for Own Economic Solvency: requires the demonstration of own funds and economic stability.

Each type includes specific documentation, but in general, the documents required for Panamanian residency include:

• Passage of an apostilled criminal record.
• Current passport and full copy of it.
• Medical certificate issued in Panama.
• Proof of the type of investment, pension, employment contract or own company.

Legal updates for 2025

By 2025, Panama is expected to keep the same channels for applying for a visa, although with greater control over documentation and face-to-face verification. Some categories, such as Friendly Countries Visa, have been modified in previous years reducing benefits, so it is essential to frequently review updated decrees before starting any procedure.

Estimated time of the process

The process for obtaining the residence in Panama You can take between 3 to 6 months depending on the type of visa and if the applicant gathers all the documentation correctly from the start. Hiring legal assistance can significantly improve response times and minimize rejections.

In short, emigrate to Panama as a legal resident it is not complex, but it does require organization, advance planning and knowledge of the current immigration updates in effect in 2025.

Get the permanent residence in the United States is a structured legal process that depends on the type of request you submit. Whether for investment, employment, family or humanitarian asylum reasons, there are several ways to achieve your residence permit —commonly known as the Green Card— and thus live legally in the U.S. UU.

The process varies considerably depending on your immigration status. For example, if you are married to a U.S. citizen, the process may be faster than if you apply through a company or as an investor with an EB-5 visa.

Top Ways to Get Residency in the U.S. UU.

These are some of the most used legal categories to obtain a residence in the United States:

• Residence per family: available to spouses, children, parents or siblings of citizens or permanent residents.
• Residency by employment: valid for qualified professionals, specialized workers or people with extraordinary abilities.
• EB-5 Visa: requires a minimum investment of $800,000 in an authorized project that generates employment.
• Diversity Visa Lottery: an annual program that awards residencies by lottery to certain eligible countries.

How long does it take to obtain permanent residence?

Los Time to obtain a Green Card depend on the type of visa:

• In immediate family cases (such as spouses), the process can take 12 to 18 months.
• For work visas (EB-2, EB-3) the times are usually 2 to 3 years.
• The investment path (EB-5) can take more than 2 years, from the initial application to the final approval of residence.

Documents required for the application

Regardless of the category, you'll usually need:

• Existing passport
• Form I-485 (or DS-260 if you're outside the U.S. UU.)
• Criminal Record Certificates
• Evidence of family, employment or investment ties
• Migration medical exam

In addition, you must pay the corresponding fees, prepare consular interviews (if you apply from outside the country) and prove that you have no immigration impediments.

Key advice for applicants with dual immigration interests

If you plan to keep residence in Panama and the United States, consider the order of your procedures. Many people obtain Panamanian residency first to establish a strategic fiscal point before applying for American residency. Others hope to obtain the Green Card before moving to Panama to avoid tax complications. Since there is no automatic route for dual residence, each procedure must be done independently but in a coordinated manner.

Now that you know the way to permanent residence in the U.S. UU., it's time to analyze if you can legally reside in two countries at the same time and how to manage that status without risk.

One of the most frequently asked questions by those who want Living in two countries is it:Is it legal to have dual immigration residency? The short answer is yes, with certain conditions. Panama and the United States They do not explicitly prohibit maintain active legal residence in both territories, provided that you comply with the immigration, fiscal and physical presence regulations of each country.

Residency vs. Citizenship: Key Concepts

It is important to distinguish between permanent residence and citizenship. You can have dual residence, but not always dual citizenship, depending on the agreement between countries and your legal intentions. In this article, we refer only to the possibility of legally residing in two countries, without necessarily acquiring the nationality of both.

What are the requirements to keep both residences active?

Maintaining your legal status in both the United States and Panama involves complying with:

• Minimum presence required: For example, U.S. The U.S. can take away your Green Card if you spend more than 6 months away without justifying it.
• Tax return: Both countries may require reports if you consider income, although Panama has a territorial system and the U.S. The U.S. applies global taxes.
• Renewal of visas or identification cards: They must be kept up to date according to the appropriate dates so as not to lose status.

How to avoid losing your Green Card because you live in another country?

One of the most common reasons why U.S. residents. The United States loses their status is because prolonged absences. To keep it while you also have residence in Panama, you can request a special permit known as Re-entry permit (re-entry permit), valid for up to 2 years. This allows you to be outside the U.S. Department of State without jeopardizing your permanent residence.

Tips for Managing a Legal Dual Residence

Achieve and maintain the dual residency in Panama and the U.S. UU. requires careful planning. Here are some key tips:

• Keep accurate records of your trips and days in each country.
• Consult with an international tax specialist to avoid double taxation.
• Renew your immigration documents on time and respond to any official requirements.

In conclusion, yes it is possible keep both residences at the same time, but you must comply with immigration and tax regulations in each jurisdiction. Incorrect handling may cause the rejection of future requests or the revocation of one of your residences.

In the next section, we'll explore how to optimize this status from a tax and legal standpoint, so that your dual residence be sustainable in the long term.

Living legally in Panama and the United States at the same time not only involves managing two residences, but also understanding and complying with both countries' tax and immigration obligations. Maintain dual residence requires a careful balance between length of stay, tax obligations and legal compliance to avoid sanctions or loss of immigration status.

Tax Implications: In which country should you pay taxes?

One of the most sensitive points when having residence in Panama and the United States is to define your tax residence. Unlike Panama, which taxes income from a territorial source, the United States imposes taxes on the global income of its citizens and permanent residents (holders of Green Card).

This means that if you get the permanent residence USA, you'll still be required to file with the IRS, even if you live part time or generate income in another country. However, there are mechanisms that can help you avoid double taxation:

• Foreign tax credits: allow you to subtract from your taxes in the U.S. In the U.S. what you already paid in Panama (if applicable).
• Bilateral Tax Treaties: although the U.S. The U.S. doesn't have one with Panama, there are ways to structure your situation to mitigate double burdens.
• Exclusion of income earned abroad (FEIE): If you're a U.S. citizen and you live abroad for more than 330 days a year, you may be able to exclude part of your income.

Length of stay and migration risks

Both countries have different expectations for how long you should reside to maintain your status:

With a Green Card USA, you are expected to live primarily in the United States. If you stay out of the country for more than six continuous months, you can raise suspicions of voluntary abandonment of your residence.

Instead, the residence in Panama is usually more flexible. Many residence visas allow for extended exits, especially if the person has investments or formal ties to Panama. Even so, there are periodic renewal requirements and the need to return to the country at certain intervals to keep it active.

Compliance with legal reports

Having assets, bank accounts, or income in both countries can trigger additional reporting obligations:

• FBAR and FATCA: if you are a resident or citizen of the U.S. If you have more than $10,000 in bank accounts outside the country (such as in Panama), you must report it to the U.S. Treasury. UU.
• Declaration of assets abroad: Panama may also request declarations if you maintain a corporate or equity structure in the country.

In addition, it is worth consulting on appropriate legal structures according to your needs (corporations, trusts, foundations) to protect your assets and facilitate legal compliance in both jurisdictions.

How to maintain legal balance

The key to a sustainable dual residence is planning. Solve from the start How to maintain dual residency without losing your status requires a clear strategy in:

- How much time will you spend in each country
- What will be your primary tax residence
- How to structure your income, assets and legal reports
- What type of visa best suits your lifestyle (e.g., retiree, investor or entrepreneur)

By having well-founded legal advice, you can avoid common mistakes, such as prolonged absences, incomplete declarations or immigration breaches, that could affect your residence in one country or another. As laws change, especially in the U.S. In the U.S., it's important to keep up to date and make informed decisions year after year.