PANAMA RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

1. Panama Friendly Nations Visa

2. Panama Qualified Investor Program (Golden visa)

1. Panama Friendly Nations Visa

The Panama Friendly Nations Visa is a special immigration program where citizens of selected countries who have professional or economic ties with Panama are eligible to apply for permanent residency and have the right to obtain Panamanian ID (Cédula) and/or request a work permit indefinitely as long as they meet the requirements.

Before obtaining the permanent residency, applicants will receive a temporary residency valid for two years. After that time and by showing that they have maintained the requirements, applicants will be eligible to request permanent residency.

The Panama Friendly Nations Visa application includes one main applicant and optional dependents, such as a spouse, parents, and children up to 25 years old.

Specific requirements to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa

The specific requirements for the Friendly Nations Visa program include:

• A valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity.

• Proof of economic or professional ties to Panama, such as starting a business, a job offer, or an investment.

• Demonstrating financial solvency and providing evidence of economic means.

• Providing a clean criminal record or police clearance certificate from your home country or places of residence during the past five years.

• Submitting a health certificate issued by a Panamanian hospital or recognized health center.

• Paying the necessary application fees.

Minimum investment or economic activity requirement

The economic activity requirement is limited to two options:

  1. Be employed in Panama by a legal Panama Corporation with a formal labor contract, and a work permit.

  2. Purchase a real estate property with a minimum value of US$200,000 (bank financing is permitted).

Documents to support the visa application

The specific documents required may vary, but typically, you may need to provide:

• Valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity.

• Application form.

• Proof of economic or professional ties to Panama, such as employment contracts, business plans, or investment documentation.

• Bank statements or financial documents demonstrating economic solvency.

• Police clearance certificate from your home country or places of residence.

• Health certificate issued by a Panamanian hospital or recognized health center.

• Passport-sized photographs.

• Application fees.

Processing time of the visa application

The processing time for the Friendly Nations Visa application can vary. Generally, it may take several weeks, but can take a few months to complete the entire process, including document verification and approval.

Family members who can be included in the visa application

Family members such as a spouse and dependent children can be included in the visa application. They can apply for dependent visas and join the primary visa holder in Panama.

Minimum stay requirement in Panama

There is no minimum stay requirement once you have obtained the Friendly Nations Visa. However, it is essential to comply with the immigration laws and regulations of Panama once you obtain the visa.

Benefits of holding a Friendly Nations Visa

Holding a Friendly Nations Visa can provide several benefits and privileges, which include:

• The right to live and work in Panama.

• Access to education and healthcare services in Panama.

• The ability to open a bank account and conduct financial transactions

List of Friendly Nations for this Panama Visa

  • The Friendly Nations Visa program is available to citizens of specific countries that have diplomatic ties with Panama. The eligible countries include:

  • Andorra

  • Argentina

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Brazil

  • Canada

  • Chile

  • Costa Rica

  • Croatia

  • Cyprus

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Great Britain

  • Greece

  • Hong Kong

  • Hungary

  • Ireland

  • Israel

  • Japan

  • Latvia

  • Liechtenstein

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Malta

  • Mexico

  • Monaco

  • Montenegro

  • Netherlands

  • New Zealand

  • Norway

  • Paraguay

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Republic of Korea

  • San Marino

  • Serbia

  • Singapore

  • Slovakia

  • South Africa

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Taiwan

  • United Kingdom

  • Uruguay

  • USA

2. Qualified Investor Permanent Residency

Panama’s Golden visa gives investors permanent residency immediately upon approval, without the need for physical presence. However, in order to keep it, the client needs to visit Panama at least every two years.

You can qualify through:

• Real Estate Acquisitions

• Bank deposits

• Fund Investments

Citizenship

It can be obtained after 5 years

Application processing time (approximate)

1-2 months

Requirements

Investment of $300,000 USD in real estate in the Republic of Panama, free of any liens

And investment of $500,000 USD in securities on the Panama Stock Market through any qualified and licensed Panamanian securities brokerage firm.

A deposit of $750,000 with a licensed bank in Panama. The interest income is tax free in Panama.