Panama Friendly Nations Visa

Main requirements

• •Be a citizen of one of the 50 eligible countries (full list below in the FAQ)
• •Establish one qualifying economic link — choose any one of these three routes:
• •Route 1 — Real estate: purchase real estate in Panama with a registered value of at least $200,000 USD, held personally or through a corporate structure where you are the ultimate beneficial owner
• •Route 2 — Fixed-term bank deposit: place a deposit of at least $200,000 USD for a minimum of 3 years in any bank holding a General License regulated by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama
• •Route 3 — Panama employment: hold a formal employment contract with a Panama-registered company, subject to obtaining the corresponding work permit (permiso de trabajo)
• •If you hold dual nationality and one passport is from an eligible country, you may use that passport for the entire application — even if your other nationality is not on the eligible list
• •Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining, plus complete authenticated copies
• •National criminal background check from your country of origin — apostilled, maximum 6 months old
• •Apostilled civil documents: birth certificate; marriage certificate if including a spouse
• •Evidence of your chosen qualifying route (property deed, bank certificate, or signed employment contract with work permit)
• •Medical exam performed in Panama
• •Health insurance with active coverage valid in Panama
• •Passport-size photos and payment of government fees
• •All foreign documents must be apostilled or authenticated by the Panama Consulate and translated by an Authorized Public Translator in Panama

What it includes

• ✓2-year provisional residency → permanent residency after the provisional period is completed
• ✓The only visa that includes an integrated work permit: formal employment in Panama is legal from day one
• ✓Freedom to open bank accounts, register companies, and sign contracts in Panama
• ✓Eligible for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency
• ✓Spouse and minor children can be included as dependents on the same application
• ✓Parents of the main applicant (no age limit) and dependent students aged 18–25 may also qualify
• ✓Compatible with remote work for foreign companies — Panama does not tax foreign-source income
• ✓Dual nationals can use the eligible country passport for the entire process

How to apply — step by step

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the requirements

   Review the requirements above against your current documents. If you are unsure about your eligibility, consult a licensed immigration attorney before proceeding.

2. 2

   Gather your documents

   You will need: valid passport with apostilled copies, apostilled criminal background check, apostilled birth certificate, proof of income or investment depending on the visa, and passport photos. Apostilles issued outside Panama must be authenticated.

3. 3

   Engage a licensed immigration attorney

   Panama law requires the formal petition to be filed by a licensed attorney. Your attorney prepares the file, verifies it is complete, and submits the petition to the Servicio Nacional de Migración.

4. 4

   File with Immigration (Migración)

   Your attorney submits the file. Depending on the visa, you may need to appear in person to sign declarations. Immigration issues a receipt of filing.

5. 5

   Receive your provisional ID (carnet)

   While your file is reviewed — typically 3 to 9 months — you receive a provisional ID card that confirms your immigration status and allows you to live in and travel through Panama normally.

6. 6

   Receive your permanent resident card

   Once approved, you receive your permanent resident ID. Depending on the visa type, you may also be eligible to apply for a Panama resident identity card (cédula de identidad).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which 50 countries are eligible for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

The 50 eligible countries are: Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, United States, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Uruguay. If you hold dual nationality and one of your passports is from any country on this list, you can use that passport for the entire application.

What are the three qualifying economic links for the Friendly Nations visa?

You must establish exactly one qualifying link — you choose which one fits your situation: (1) Real estate: purchase Panamanian property worth at least $200,000 USD. Multiple properties may be combined; the investment can be held personally or through a corporate structure. (2) Fixed-term bank deposit: deposit $200,000 USD for a minimum of 3 years in any bank with a General License in Panama. (3) Panama employment: obtain a formal employment contract with a Panama-registered company and the corresponding work permit. You only need one of these three; you do not need to combine them.

How long does the Friendly Nations visa process take?

The provisional 2-year residency card is typically issued within 2 to 3 months of filing a complete application. The process then continues for up to 24 months, during which you live in Panama maintaining your qualifying link (keeping the property, deposit, or employment). After the provisional period ends, you apply to convert to permanent residency. After 5 years of permanent residency, Panamanian citizenship becomes available.

Can I work in Panama with the Friendly Nations visa?

Yes — and this is one of the defining advantages of this visa. The Friendly Nations visa with the employment route includes a formal work permit (permiso de trabajo), allowing you to be employed by a Panama company. Those who qualify via the real estate or fixed deposit routes can generally operate their own businesses in Panama; formal salaried employment under someone else would require a separate work permit. For remote workers earning income from outside Panama, the visa is also compatible — Panama does not tax foreign-source income.

What happens after the 2-year provisional period?

After completing the 2-year provisional residency period — while maintaining your qualifying economic link — you apply to convert your status to permanent residency. Panama's immigration service reviews the application and, if approved, issues permanent resident status with no expiration. From the date permanent residency is granted, you begin the 5-year countdown toward eligibility for Panamanian citizenship and a Panamanian passport.