If I apply for permanent residency, would it also give me certain visa free travel privileges to other countries or does that only happen when I get a passport?
Permanent residence grants you the right to leave the tourist status in Panama and the right to live permanently in Panama without time restriction. In order to request a passport, you must remain 5 years with that permanent resident status and with a Panamanian ID. After this you have the right to a Panamanian passport. That is a separate procedure.
Permanent residency in Panama grants you the right to live permanently in Panama. Visa travel access though is determined by the passport you hold.
Permanent residency does not give one a Panamanian passport automatically, therefore, there aren’t any visa free travel privileges. After 5 years with the residency, you might apply to citizenship.
These type of residency permits will only grant you the right to stay permanently in Panama, but no additional visa free travel privileges.
+1-800-347-9390
