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Reforestation
Investment Program
Panama recently revised a dormant Reforestation Visa by offering 2 options: 1. Small Business
investment of at least $40,000; and Both of these options provide the investor with Permanent residency leading to full Panama Citizenship in 5 years. The small business investor will attain Permanent residency in 3 years and within 1 year for the large investor. - All visa applications must be processed by a Panamanian lawyer. - All overseas documents must be authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate nearest you or by Apostille. - All applicants must provide a Police Clearance report on a police department's letterhead, signed by a police official. - All documents must be issued no more than 4 months prior to submitting the visa application. - Passports must have at least 6 months remaining before expiration. - Dependants can be included with both options.
- Minimum investment of $40,000. - Applicant and dependants must present themselves in person to the Immigration office for the initial application and subsequent renewals. - Initial Application: Expect to be in Panama for 5 business days. After registering and submitting all documents, immigration will issue a 3-month provisional visa. Upon expiration, you will return and apply for a 1-year immigration visa card. - 1 year Immigration Visa card: On your 2nd trip, expect to stay in Panama for 3 business days. Immigration will issue you a 1-year Resident Immigration card. - This card will be renewed every year for the next 3 years. - On the 5th year, you will receive a Permanent Residency card and a Cedula. You can then apply for Citizenship and a Passport.
- Minimum investment of $80,000 - Applicant and dependants must present themselves in person to the Immigration office for the initial application and subsequent renewals. - Initial Application: Expect to be in Panama for 5 business days. After registering and submitting all documents, immigration will issue a 3-month provisional visa. Upon expiration, you will have up to 4 months to return and apply for a 1-year immigration visa card. - One Year Immigration Visa card: On your 2nd trip, you will need to stay in Panama for at least 3 business days. Immigration will issue you a one-year Resident Immigration card. - When the One Year Immigration Visa card expires, you will receive a Permanent Residency card and a Cedula. 5 years from your initial application, you can then apply for Citizenship and a Passport.
Through Resolution No.039 of April 27, 2006 of the Director of Immigration, publish at the Gaceta Oficial (Government Publication) number 25,553 of May 26, 2006, the Panamanian Government grants foreigners the right to obtain legal residency in Panama under the condition that they have invested at least US$40,000 in a Certified Reforestation project in Panama (said Project requires to be Certified by the Environmental Government Institute - ANAM: "Asociacion Nacional del Medio Ambiente"), through a Forestry Registry. PROCEDURES: STEP 1:
Corporation set up (it is optional if you wish to register/buy the Property/Lot
in to a Corporation (IBC), or if you wish to register/buy in your Personal
Name, you must make a decision and let us know, however, we advise Corporation,
because of many advantages such as: flexibility, future anonimity): 1. Provide 3 Name choices (Note that Panama Corporations must include the prefix "Inc.", "Incorporated", "Corp", "Corporation" or "S.A.") 2. Provide your Personal Information (for the Reforestation Investor Visa, Applicant must be appointed as the President and Legal Representative of the Corporation). If you wish to buy the Property/Lot in your Personal Name, then you must either be personally/physically present in Panama to sign the Public Deed of Purchase Contract in front of a Notary (in Panama), or you could Grant us Power of Attorney which must be authenticated through the Consulate/Embassy of Panama nearest you. 3. Note: The registered Capitalization of the Corporation will be US$40,000, which is the amount of your Reforestation Investment. STEP 2:
Lot Purchase Transaction Procedure: 2. BUYER sends payment to PT&E (PANAMA TITLE & ESCROW) www.panamatitle.com, the Escrow company (it is very important that you send the total amount to coordinate all the necessary payments, and services such as: Property purchase: $40,000, Corporation set up, Corporation Taxes, ANAM registration fees, Immigration Visa fee and expenses, etc.), and completes the following documents: a. Escrow Contract:
b. Wire Deposit
Notification Form, and/or: c. Check Deposit
Notification Form: d. Disbursement
Request Form: 3. POLS coordinates "The Closing" (payment to the SELLER and registration of the contract). 4. POLS finalizes title transfer registration at the Public Registry of Panama to BUYERS Corporation. STEP 3: ANAM (National Environmental Authority) Registration: BUYER'S Corporation (or you Personally as owner of the Lot, depending on the option you chose), as the new owner of a lot at the Reforestation Project, must be registered at ANAM. The procedures are the following: 1. POLS will draft a Minute of Shareholders of the Corporation, signed by the Directors, where it is authorized to develop the Reforestation Project. 2. POLS will draft the Power of Attorney and the Registration request of the Corporation (or the Registration request from your Personal Name) at ANAM. STEP 4: Passport Registration (only applicable to BUYERS who wish to apply for Residency): A short visit to Panama is required to register, at any time (means at any Step previous the Visa application) and stamp BUYER'S Passport at the Immigration Office. The requirements are: 1. Two (2) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable). 2. Complete registration Form (POLS will provide this to BUYER, who only needs to sign). 3. Original passport, and one (1) photocopy of passport (the original passport will be returned to the BUYER immediately after the registration of it). Note that all Passports must have a validity of more than 6 months. STEP 5: Reforestation Visa Application (only applicable to BUYERS who wish to apply for Residency): The Panama Reforestation Investor Visa processing is divided in 3 Phases. Phase 1 is the Provisional Resident Visa. Phase 2 is the Permanent Resident Visa. Phase 1 (Provisional
Resident Visa): Documents that PANAMA OFFSHORE LEGAL SERVICES (POLS) will provide: 1. Special Power of Attorney, signed by the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), authorizing POLS to process the Immigration applications and documentation (we would draft it and have it ready for your signature). 2. Provisional Resident Visa request (POLS will draft it and one of our Attorneys will sign it). 3. Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition. This must be done during your initial visit to Panama. 4. Letter of Responsibility, signed by the applicant, whereby the applicant takes responsibility for his/her dependents, if applicable (POLS will draft it and have it ready for your signature). 5. Certification from the Public Registry of Panama of Client's Corporation (Optional, if Client buys under a Corporation - POLS will obtain this). 6. Certification from Authorized Public Accountant certifying the investment amount of US$40,000.00 in the Reforestation Project and the Capitalization amount and Shares issued of the Corporation for US$40,000.00 (POLS will obtain this)). 7. Certification from the Secretary of the Client's Corporation of the amount of Shares issued (POLS will prepare this document). 8. National Environmental Authority certification of Client's Corporation registration at the Forestry Registry and Inspection of the reforested lot (POLS will obtain this). 9. Copy of SELLER'S bill of sale of the lot (POLS will obtain this). 10. Client's Declaration Form (POLS will prepare this and have it ready for BUYER'S signature). Documents that you (CLIENT / BUYER) must provide: 1. Photocopy of complete (entire) valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (showing the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and photocopies of ALL other pages (all pages of the passport). 2. Original Marriage Certificate (for the spouse - if applicable) and Original Birth Certificate (for dependents - if applicable), duly Notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Embassy or Consulate nearest you (or these documents may be authenticated by appostile instead). It is important that this document must be "recently issued", not more than 6 months since the date of the issuance of the document. This document must be "original", "updated", "official" and "authenticated". 3. Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable). 4. Original Police record, of the applicant (and adult dependents - if applicable) from the country of last 5 years of Residence, duly Notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of issue (or this document may be authenticated by appostile instead). It is important that this document must be "recently issued", not more than 6 months since the date of the issuance of the document. This document must be "original", "updated", "official" and "authenticated". 5. One Bank Reference
Letter of the applicant (and adult dependents - if applicable), duly
Notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country
of issue (or this document may be authenticated by appostile instead). Phase 1 Procedures (Provisional Resident Visa): A. Submit Application to Immigration Department: POLS will submit the documents to the Immigration office. All documents must be completed, if not the Immigration will not process the package. B. Provisional 3 Month Resident Card: A short visit to Panama is required. The Immigration Department will issue a provisional 3 month Provisional Resident card, while they process the 1 year Provisional Residency Resolution. (NOTE: Possibility of Delays: If the Immigration Department has not finalized processing of the 1 year Provisional Residency Resolution within the 3 month period, then additional time may be required). C. Provisional 1 Year Resident Card: Once the Resolution is issued for the 1 year Provisional Resident Visa, then the 1 year Provisional Resident Card will be issued and another short visit to Panama is required. Phase 2 Procedures
(Renewals for 3 times of the 1 year Provisional Visa): A. Submit Application to Immigration Department: POLS will submit the documents to the Immigration office. All documents must be completed, if not the Immigration will not process the package. B. Provisional 3 Month Resident Card: A short visit to Panama is required. The Immigration Department will issue a provisional 3 month Provisional Resident card, while they process the renewal of the Provisional Residency Resolution. (NOTE: Possibility of Delays: If the Immigration Department has not finalized processing of the renewal of the Provisional Residency Resolution within the 3 month period, then additional time may be required). C. 1 Year Resident Card (3 times): Once the Resolution is issued for the renewal of the Provisional Resident Visa, then 1 year Provisional Resident Card will be issued and another short visit to Panama is required. This process must be repeated 3 times (3 renewals). Phase 3
Procedures (Permanent Resident Visa): B. Provisional 3 Month Resident Card: A short visit to Panama is required. The Immigration Department will issue a 3 month provisional resident card while they process the final Resolution of the Permanent Resident Visa. (NOTE: Possibility of Delays: If the Immigration Department has not finalized processing of the Permanent Residency Resolution within the 3 month period, then additional time may be required). C. Permanent Resident Visa: Once the final Resolution is issued, then you will be registered at the Civil Registry, where your Permanent Resident Card (this is called "Cedula" in Spanish) will be issued. A visit to Panama is required for you to take the picture at the Civil Registry. Entry Exit
Permit:
Immigration Processing Fees: For Primary Applicant: Phase 1: Legal Fee - 1 year
Provisional Resident Visa: US$2,000 Phase 2: Government Fees
and Costs: US$300 Government Fees
and Costs: US$300 Government Fees and Costs: US$300 Phase 3: Legal Fee - Permanent
Resident Visa: US$2,000 Legal Fee - Naturalization
(Citizen / Passport): US$4,000
Phase 1: Phase 2:
Naturalization:
LARGE BUSINESS (MACRO-EMPRESA) $80,000 INVESTMENT Through Resolution No.039 of April 27, 2006 of the Director of Immigration, publish at the Gaceta Oficial (Government Publication) number 25,553 of May 26, 2006, the Panamanian Government grants foreigners the right to obtain legal residency in Panama under the condition that they have invested at least US$80,000 in a Certified Reforestation project in Panama (said Project requires to be Certified by the Environmental Government Institute - ANAM: "Asociacion Nacional del Medio Ambiente"), through a Forestry Registry. PROCEDURES: STEP 1:
Corporation set up (it is optional if you wish to register/buy the Property/Lot
in to a Corporation (IBC), or if you wish to register/buy in your Personal
Name, you must make a decision and let us know, however, we advise Corporation,
because of many advantages such as: flexibility, future anonimity): 2. Provide your Personal Information (for the Reforestation Investor Visa, Applicant must be appointed as the President and Legal Representative of the Corporation) If you wish to buy the Property/Lot in your Personal Name, then you must either be personally/physically present in Panama to sign the Public Deed of Purchase Contract in front of a Notary (in Panama), or you could Grant us Power of Attorney which must be authenticated through the Consulate/Embassy of Panama nearest you 3. Note: The registered Capitalization of the Corporation will be US$80,000, which is the amount of your Reforestation Investment. STEP 2: Lot Purchase Transaction Procedure: 1. POLS (PANAMA OFFSHORE LEGAL SERVICES - Law Firm) will draft Purchase Contract between BUYER and SELLER. 2. BUYER sends payment to PT&E (PANAMA TITLE & ESCROW) www.panamatitle.com, the Escrow company (it is very important that you send the total amount to coordinate all the necessary payments, and services such as: Property purchase: $80,000, Corporation set up, Corporation Taxes, ANAM registration fees, Immigration Visa fee and expenses, etc.), and completes the following documents: a. Escrow
Contract: b. Wire
Deposit Notification Form, and/or: c. Check
Deposit Notification Form: d. Disbursement
Request Form: 3. POLS coordinates "The Closing" (payment to the SELLER and registration of the contract). 4. POLS finalizes title transfer registration at the Public Registry of Panama to BUYERS Corporation. STEP 3: ANAM (National Environmental Authority) Registration: BUYER'S Corporation (or you Personally as owner of the Lot, depending on the option you chose), as the new owner of a lot at the Reforestation Project, must be registered at ANAM. The procedures are the following: 1. POLS will draft a Minute of Shareholders of the Corporation, signed by the Directors, where it is authorized to develop the Reforestation Project. 2. POLS will draft the Power of Attorney and the Registration request of the Corporation (or the Registration request from your Personal Name) at ANAM. STEP 4: Passport Registration (only applicable to BUYERS who wish to apply for Residency): A short visit to Panama is required to register, at any time (means at any Step previous the Visa application) and stamp BUYER'S Passport at the Immigration Office. The requirements are: 1. Two (2) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable). 2. Complete registration Form (POLS will provide this to BUYER, who only needs to sign). 3. Original passport, and one (1) photocopy of passport (the original passport will be returned to the BUYER immediately after the registration of it). Note that all Passports must have a validity of more than 6 months.
The Panama Reforestation
Investor Visa processing is divided in 2 Phases. Phase 1 is the Provisional
Resident Visa. Phase 2 is the Permanent Resident Visa. Document Requirements - Prior to the presentation (application) of the Provisional Resident Visa, the following are the requirements and documents that must be completed: Documents that PANAMA OFFSHORE LEGAL SERVICES (POLS) will provide: 1. Special Power of Attorney, signed by the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), authorizing POLS to process the Immigration applications and documentation (we would draft it and have it ready for your signature). 2. Provisional Resident Visa request (POLS will draft it and one of our Attorneys will sign it). 3. Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition. This must be done during your initial visit to Panama. 4. Letter of Responsibility, signed by the applicant, whereby the applicant takes responsibility for his/her dependents, if applicable (POLS will draft it and have it ready for your signature). 5. Certification from the Public Registry of Panama of Client's Corporation (Optional, if Client buys under a Corporation - POLS will obtain this). 6. Certification from Authorized Public Accountant certifying the investment amount of US$80,000.00 in the Reforestation Project and the Capitalization amount and Shares issued of the Corporation for US$80,000.00 (POLS will obtain this)). 7. Certification from the Secretary of the Client's Corporation of the amount of Shares issued (POLS will prepare this document). 8. National Environmental Authority certification of Client's Corporation registration at the Forestry Registry and Inspection of the reforested lot (POLS will obtain this). 9. Copy of SELLER'S bill of sale of the lot (POLS will obtain this). 10. Client's Declaration Form (POLS will prepare this and have it ready for BUYER'S signature). Documents that you (CLIENT / BUYER) must provide: 1. Photocopy of complete (entire) valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (showing the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and photocopies of ALL other pages (all pages of the passport). 2. Original Marriage Certificate (for the spouse - if applicable) and Original Birth Certificate (for dependents - if applicable), duly Notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Embassy or Consulate nearest you (or these documents may be authenticated by appostile instead). It is important that this document must be "recently issued", not more than 6 months since the date of the issuance of the document. This document must be "original", "updated", "official" and "authenticated". 3. Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable). 4. Original Police record, of the applicant (and adult dependents - if applicable) from the country of last 5 years of Residence, duly Notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country of issue (or this document may be authenticated by appostile instead). It is important that this document must be "recently issued", not more than 6 months since the date of the issuance of the document. This document must be "original", "updated", "official" and "authenticated". 5. One Bank Reference
Letter of the applicant (and adult dependents - if applicable), duly
Notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in the country
of issue (or this document may be authenticated by appostile instead). Phase 1
Procedures (Provisional Resident Visa): Phase 2 Procedures (Permanent Resident Visa): A. Submit Application to Immigration Department: Prior to the presentation (application) of the Permanent Resident Visa, we must complete the documents required by the Immigration Department (POLS will prepare these documents, and applicant will need to sign them). Once all documents are prepared, POLS will submit the documents to Immigration. Client must be present in Panama at the moment of the application. B. Provisional 3 Month Resident Card: A short visit to Panama is required. The Immigration Department will issue a 3 month provisional resident card while they process the final Resolution of the Permanent Resident Visa. (NOTE: Possibility of Delays: If the Immigration Department has not finalized processing of the Permanent Residency Resolution within the 3 month period, then additional time may be required). C. Permanent Resident Visa: Once the final Resolution is issued, then you will be registered at the Civil Registry, where your Permanent Resident Card (this is called "Cedula" in Spanish) will be issued. A visit to Panama is required for you to take the picture at the Civil Registry. Entry Exit
Permit: REFORESTATION INVESTMENT US$40,000 is the total investment paid to the reforestation company. This investment includes: 1. A total of 3.12 acres (1.3 hectares) of titled land, that is already fully reforested with Teak Trees almost 2 years old. 2. Closing costs are included. 3. A forest maintenance contract for a period of 10 years is included (the included maintenance plan lasts up until the trees are approximately 12 years old). The 10 year reforestation maintenance contract includes monitoring, trimming and all facets of professional reforestation maintenance to guarantee the development of optimum lumber production unitl the trees are approximately 12 years old. After trimming, only the best trees will remain. The cost for maintenance after the 10 year initial maintenance period is US$500 per year thereafter, which will last for approximately 8 more years, until the trees are harvested at maturity, or 20 years old. 4. A Panama Corporation is included, which holds title to the property (the investor holds 100% of the shares of the corporation). 5. This reforestation investment qualifies the investor for legal residency and citizenship / passport in Panama. Please note that legal fees for immigration processing are separate, and paid to our law firm. The immigration processing fees are - Legal Fee: US$2000 (primary applicant) - Government Fees/Costs: US$800 Total Immigration Fees/Costs: US$2800 WHY INVEST IN REFORESTATION? · Safe, high
return, long-term investment. Perfect for retirement planning or future
education funding, etc. WHY THIS REFORESTATION PROJECT? · This project
is certified by the ANAM (Panama's environmental agency), which qualifies
it for all the benefits that a foreign investor could receive from a
reforestation investment. RESIDENCY PROCEDURES : 1. Provide all required documents, and sign the Special Power of Attorney for our law firm to handle your immigration paperwork. 2. The reforested property is purchased for US$40,000. The reforestation management company then provides a certification of title of the reforested land, and a copy of the buy/sell contract. 3. Our law firm submits your application for a 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa, under the Reforestation Investor Program. You are issued a Temporary Immigrant Card, which is valid for 3 months (those 3 months are used by the Immigration Department to process the 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa). After 3 months, you will be issued a new Temporary Immigrant Card that is valid for 1 year. 4. After the 1 year Temporary Immigrant Visa expires, our law firm will submit a new application for your Permanent Residency Visa. You will then be provided with a Panamanian Cedula (Permanent Resident Card). 5. After 5 years of having Permanent Residency status, you may apply for Panamanian Citizenship, and a Panamanian Passport. This is called becoming "Naturalized", and requires that you accept the laws of the Republic of Panama under oath. Panamanian passports are renewable every 5 years. It is not necessary for applicants to reside in Panama to qualify for or maintain Panamanian residency or citizenship, however, a short visit to Panama is required for the processing of the Temporary Immigrant Visa, the Permanent Resident Visa, and for the Naturalization (Citizenship and passport). IMMIGRATION & LEGAL FEES: For Primary Applicant: Stage 1: Stage 2: Stage 3:
Stage 1: Stage 2:
Stage 3: Required Documents (for Immigration processing): 1. Photocopy of valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all pages showing entry/exit stamps (all pages used in the passport). 2. Original Police record of the applicant, from the place of residence (and spouse & children - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you. 3. Original Birth Certificate of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you. 4. Original Marriage Certificate for the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), duly notarized and authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate nearest you. 5. Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable). 6. Certificate of Good Health, issued by a licensed Panamanian hospital or clinic, signed by a registered, licensed physician, indicating that the applicant (and dependents - if applicable) has no contagious diseases and is in good mental and physical condition. THIS MUST BE DONE DURING YOUR INITIAL VISIT TO PANAMA. Documents that our law firm will provide for you: 1. Special Power of Attorney, signed by the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), authorizing our law firm to process the immigration applications and documentation. 2. Letter of Responsibility, signed by the applicant, whereby the applicant takes responsibility for his/her dependents. * Note: for authenticating documents through the Panamanian Consulate, please contact us to request the contact information of the Panamanian Consulate nearest you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiple Entry & Exit Visa (Optional): The Multiple Entry & Exit Visa should be applied for after or at the same time that any type of visa is applied for. The Multiple Entry & Exit Visa allows you to enter and exit the country as many times as necessary. For more information about the Multiple Entry & Exit Visa, please CLICK HERE. If you are interested in relocating to Panama, or obtaining legal residency in Panama, please contact us for a personal consultation. For a personal consultation, please contact us. |
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