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Filing the I-130
 

Petitioners who are not permanent residents of Panama or the beneficiary does not live in Panama
The U.S. citizen petitioner must file the I-130 petition at an office of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the United States, usually in an BCIS office in the petitioner's U.S. state of residence.

Petitioners who are permanent residents of Panama and the beneficiary lives in Panama

Requirements for Petitioner
The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) office in Panama City may accept the filing of an immediate relative (I-130) petition only when the U.S. citizen petitioner was a legal permanent resident of Panama prior to filing the I-130 petition.

Requirements for Beneficiary
The beneficiary (the petitioner's immigrant spouse, child, or parent) must be either:

  • a Panamanian national physically present in Panama,
  • a non-Panamanian national with legal permanent residence in Panama (with a residence visa),or,
  • a non-Panamanian national with a temporary resident visa, temporary work visa, or student visa in Panama.

Filing the petition at the USCIS office in Panama
Both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the beneficiary must be present to submit the petition and all required documents personally in the Consular Section at the USCIS window #16, hours: Tuesday or Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. (excluding American and Panamanian holidays). For more information please Contact Us at panama.uscis@dhs.gov

The petitioner must submit the follwing to file an I-130 petition:

  • A valid U.S. passport
  • Original Naturalization Certificate (if applicable)
  • Proof of Panamanian legal residency (usually residency or work visa in the petitioner's passport)

Required for I-130 filinf on behalf of a spouse of a U.S. citizen:

  • Original or certified copy of Marriage Certificate (Acta de Matrimonio)- plus one photocopy
  • Original Divorce Decree/Death Certificate (if applicable to the petitioner or beneficiary)- plus one photocopy
  • One photograph each of petitioner and beneficiary (4 x 4 cm. carnet)
  • Form I-130 petition completed and signed by the petitioner
  • Form OF-230 (biographic data form) Part I completed and signed by the beneficiary

Required for I-130 filinf on behalf of a minor son/daughter of a U.S. citizen: (under 21 years of age)

  • Original or certified copy of Birth Certificate of son/daughter - plus one photocopy
  • Original or certified copy of Marriage Certificate of beneficiary's parents - plus one photocopy
  • Original or certified copy of Divorce Decree/Death Certificate of beneficiary's parents (if applicable - plus one photocopy)
  • Form I-130 petition completed and signed by the petitioner
  • Form OF-230 Part I completed and signed by the beneficiary

Required for I-130 filing on behalf of a parent of a U.S. citizen over 21 years of age:

  • Original or certified copy of Birth Certificate of the U.S. citizen petitioner - plus one photocopy
  • Original or certified copy of the marriage certificate of the beneficiary - plus one photocopy
  • Original or certified copy Divorce Decree/Death Certificate (if applicable to the beneficiary)
  • Form I-130 petition completed and signed by the petitioner
  • Form OF-230 Part I completed and signed by the beneficiary