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Requirement for Foreign Residents
The Servicio Nacional de Migración (National Immigration Service) requires all foreign residents (temporary or permanent) in Panama to report any change of residential address within 30 days of moving. This obligation is mandated by Decree Law No. 3 of February 22, 2008, with strict enforcement beginning July 25, 2024.
Required Documents for Address Update
✔ Passport copy (biographical pages with registration stamp)
✔ Residency card copy (temporary or permanent)
✔ Proof of new address (one of the following):
- For homeowners:
- Utility bill (electricity/water/phone) in your name
- Public Registry certificate showing property ownership
- For rented properties:
- Notarized lease agreement
- Landlord’s ID copy (passport/cedula/residency card)
- Utility bill in landlord’s name
- For employer-provided housing:
- Company certification letter confirming accommodation
- Employment contract
⚠ Important: A $100 penalty applies if reported after 30 days.
How to Report Your New Address
- In person at Migración‘s Foreign Registration Office (Sección de Registro de Extranjería)
- Through a legal representative (with notarized power of attorney)
Why Compliance Matters
Failure to report address changes may result in:
– Residency permit cancellation
– Fines or deportation proceedings
About the Writer
Karen Dorcy (L.L.M.) is a dual-qualified attorney registered with Panama’s Órgano Judicial. A graduate of Leibniz University Hannover and the University of Panama, she cut her teeth at De Obaldía & García de Paredes, a top-tier Panamanian firm. Fluent in Spanish, English, and German, she specializes in cross-border corporate law, helping clients navigate Panama’s legal landscape with a blend of European precision and local know-how.