Bringing your family on the Friendly Nations Visa
You can include your spouse, your children under 18, relatives with a disability and your dependent parents in your application. Children from 18 to 25 can also come if they study regularly and depend on you financially. Your spouse can be of any nationality.
Each dependent pays the B/. 250 fee, and children under 12 do not pay the B/. 800 repatriation deposit.
Who counts as your dependent
- Your spouse, of any nationality: the decree does not limit it to the 51 countries.
- Your children under 18.
- Your children from 18 to 25, if they study regularly and depend on you financially.
- Relatives with a disability.
- Your dependent parents.
- A minor of whom you have legal guardianship, custody or care.
Executive Decree 416 of 2012, article 4
Students: 25 in the decree, under 25 on the sheet
The decree says children older than 18 and up to 25 can come if they study regularly and depend on you. The Immigration requirements sheet says under 25. That is a gap of one year. If your child is 24 or 25, tell us, so we file before the birthday that could matter.
Executive Decree 416 of 2012, article 4; National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PPT-PE
Your parents
The decree names dependent parents expressly, and the general rules for dependents of permanent residents also include them. Neither text says how you prove that a parent depends on you, so Immigration decides each case. Bring proof that you support them, such as transfers or shared household bills, and we will help you build the file.
Executive Decree 416 of 2012, article 4; Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 224 and 225
What each dependent pays the government
| Who | B/. 250 fee to the National Treasury | B/. 800 repatriation deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Your spouse | Yes | Yes |
| A child aged 12 or older | Yes | Yes |
| A child under 12 | Yes | No, exempt by law |
| A dependent parent | Yes | Yes |
- Decree-Law 3 of 2008, the Immigration Law· Full text
- Executive Decree 320 of 2008, the immigration regulations· Full text
Decree-Law 3 of 2008, articles 28.4 and 29; Executive Decree 320 of 2008, article 315
The rules your dependents follow
The 2021 decree sends dependents to the general rules for dependents of permanent residents in the immigration regulations. Those rules set the documents that prove the family link, such as marriage and birth certificates, apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by an authorized public translator.
Executive Decree 416 of 2012, article 3.3, as worded by Executive Decree 226 of 2021; Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 224 to 226 and 247
What the rules do not say
- Whether a common-law partner can be included instead of a spouse.
- In which cases the B/. 800 deposit is refunded, and how.
- How a parent proves dependence: Immigration decides case by case.
Executive Decree 416 of 2012, article 4; Executive Decree 320 of 2008, articles 224 to 226
- List everyone who will come with you and their ages on the filing date.
- Get marriage and birth certificates apostilled or legalized, then translated into Spanish in Panama.
- For students 18 or older, ask the school for a letter of regular enrollment.
- For parents, gather proof that you support them.
Tell us who would come with you and their ages, and we will tell you what each person needs and pays.
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Not sure where to start?
Book a free 15-minute call. We will confirm your eligibility and the route that fits you best.
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