One of the most common hurdles for expats relocating from the United States to Panama is realizing, often after they have already arrived, that they forgot to secure their FBI background check. In the past, this meant booking an expensive last-minute flight back to the U.S. just to get fingerprinted.
At Prime Solutions, we understand that you want to focus on your new life, not on international travel for paperwork. That is why we are proud to highlight our collaboration with Prime Biometric Solutions, an on-demand biometric company right here in Panama.
The Essential First Step for Every Visa
Whether you are applying for a Pensionado Visa or a Friendly Nations Visa, an FBI background check is a mandatory requirement for every residency process in Panama. However, there is a catch: these reports are only valid for six months. If your report expires while you are still deciding on a home or waiting for other documents, you need a way to renew it without leaving the country.
Meet the Experts: Prime Biometric Solutions
Founded by Odellia Lucius (a U.S. citizen and Panamanian resident) and Anna Ortega (a Panamanian who lived in the U.S. for eight years), Prime Biometric Solutions was born out of a personal need for affordable and simple fingerprinting services within Panama.
Instead of paying “premium” prices or dealing with the fact that local police departments and the U.S. Embassy do not provide this service for residency purposes, you can now handle everything locally.
How the Process Works
The goal is to keep the relocation process straightforward and stress-free:
- Request and Fingerprints: The team submits the FBI background check request on your behalf and collects your fingerprints.
- Flexible Shipping: You can choose to send the completed package to the FBI yourself, or the team can “close the loop” by handling the shipping through their trusted partners.
- Fast Turnaround: Once the FBI receives the request, it typically takes approximately one week for the report to be generated and sent via mail or email.
Why Get Fingerprinted Locally?
- Cost-Effective: It is a fraction of the cost of flying back to the States or using high-priced “premium” local competitors.
- Expert Guidance: You are working with people who have navigated the system themselves and understand the nuances of both the U.S. and Panamanian requirements.
- Stay in Panama: You can continue enjoying your new life and exploring the country while your paperwork is processed in the background.
Your Path to Residency
Relocating to Panama is a journey that requires the right steps taken in the right order. Because Prime Biometric Solutions works primarily through a network of trusted immigration lawyers, you can rest assured that your background check will be handled with the professionalism required for a successful visa application.
Don’t let missing paperwork stall your dreams. If you are in Panama and need to secure your FBI report, or if you are planning your move from the U.S. or Canada and want a legal team that anticipates your needs, we are here to help.