Understanding Panamanian Identification Cards

If you’re living in Panama as a temporary or permanent resident, you’ll quickly meet your first official companion: the Immigration Card (Carné de Migración). This bright yellow card is issued by the Servicio Nacional de Migración (SNM) and includes your photo, foreigner ID number, immigration category (Friendly Nations, Pensionado, etc.), and an expiration date.

Permanent residents get the same card, but with the magical word “Indefinidamente” printed at the bottom: Panama’s way of saying you’re here for good.

One important caveat: this card is not valid as standalone ID. You’ll always need to carry it together with your passport. It looks like this:

Foreign residents also have the option to level up with a Cédula for foreigners, officially called the Cédula E (or E-Cédula), issued by the Tribunal Electoral. This one is blue, proudly marked with a big blue “E” on the front.

The cédula isn’t automatic. You’ll need a nota de cédula prepared by your attorney, and then you’ll book an appointment at the Tribunal Electoral to receive it. While it’s not required, it’s incredibly useful: it unlocks retiree and pensioner discounts and works exactly like a Panamanian cédula for everyday life: banking, contracts, utilities, notarizations, and more.

In short: not mandatory, but extremely convenient. It looks like this:

Jenny is here to make things easy! Whether you need help finding the right attorney or getting your E-Cédula, she’s got you covered. Contact us to get started.