Clients Ask
“I have a new passport and the number has changed. Do I need to apply for Panama residency again, or can I bring my old passport when I travel?”
The short answer: If your permanent residence permit is still in effect, a new passport alone does not require a new residence application. Panama’s National Immigration Service (SNM) lists a separate procedure for transferring the RUEX registration stamp, called Traspaso de Registro.
What changes when you renew your passport?
The RUEX stamp transfer concerns the registration record in the passport. Your immigration status and your resident card (carné or, where applicable, cédula) are separate matters. If your card still shows your previous passport number or has expired, ask the SNM before travelling whether you need to take a separate step.
What does the SNM ask you to bring?
- Copies of the personal data pages of your current and previous passports. If the previous passport was lost, the SNM lists a copy of the loss report.
- A copy of the RUEX registration stamp in the previous passport. If you cannot provide it because the passport was lost, ask the SNM how to proceed.
- A copy of your resident card or cédula, if applicable.
The SNM checklist says to request a queue ticket marked X. Confirm with the office handling your case which originals it needs to see, whether it handles the procedure and what fees apply. Official SNM requirements for the registration transfer (Spanish PDF) · SNM contact information.
Can a lawyer file on your behalf?
The SNM checklist allows filing through a lawyer and lists a power of attorney, a notarised application, and copies of the lawyer’s identity card and professional licence. If you are organising the transfer from abroad, confirm the filing arrangements with the office handling your case.
What should you do before travelling?
Keep your previous passport and copies of its data page and RUEX stamp if available. Confirm the registration transfer and any resident-card steps before your trip. If you have spent a long period outside Panama, have your residency status assessed separately.
If you plan to drive in Panama, see how to exchange a foreign driver’s license in Panama for the documents and steps SERTRACEN requires.
Official requirements checked on 7 November 2026.
About the author
Karen Dorcy is an Abogada de la República de Panamá, Idoneidad No. 10179. She advises international clients on immigration, real estate and corporate law in Panama. Karen Dorcy’s professional profile.
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