Panama

Panama Friendly Nations Visa

OVERVIEW

Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa lets eligible citizens secure a temporary residence card in roughly one week, convert it to permanent status after two years, and start the five-year residency period required before applying for citizenship. Qualify via local employment, a 200 000$ USD real-estate purchase or bank deposit, or by opening a business, while benefiting from Panama’s territorial tax system and affordable lifestyle.

A Strategic Path to Residency and Opportunity in Panama

Whether you’re relocating, investing, or planning for long-term residency in Latin America, the Panama Friendly Nations Visa offers a clear and structured legal pathway. With qualifying options through employment, real estate investment, or financial ties, this immigration program provides a route toward permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. JH Marlin delivers the legal oversight and personalized guidance you need to navigate every step with confidence.

Speak with a legal advisor about your Panama residency options

What Is the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

The Friendly Nations Visa is an immigration program established under Executive Decree 197 (2021). It allows citizens of fifty pre-approved countries to obtain legal residency in Panama by demonstrating either a professional engagement or a qualifying economic tie. Applicants first receive a two-year provisional residence permit. If they maintain their qualifying condition throughout that period, they can apply for Panama permanent residency. After five years of continuous legal residence, they may be eligible to apply for a Panamanian passport, subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

Eligible Countries and Applicant Profiles

The full list of eligible countries appears in our FAQ, but most of North America, Western Europe, Oceania, and select countries in Latin America and Asia qualify. Typical applicants include:

Three Legal Pathways to Qualify (Employment, Real Estate, Bank Deposit)

Applicants can qualify for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa by establishing one of the following legal connections to the country:

Employment Contract

Secure a job offer from a Panama-registered company and apply for a work permit through the National Immigration Service. This option often includes enrollment in Panama’s social security system and is suitable for remote or in-country professionals.

Real Estate Investment (from 200 000$ USD)

Buying titled Panamanian real estate worth at least 200 000$ USD satisfies the economic tie requirement. You can hold the property directly or through a Panama-incorporated company. Investors often benefit from rental income while building long-term connection to Panamanian territory.

Bank Certificate of Deposit (from 200 000$ USD)

Place at least 200 000$ USD in a fixed-term deposit at a bank in Panama for three years. The funds must remain unpledged for the full three-year term, even after permanent residency is issued. This route appeals to applicants seeking a passive, low-management path to provisional residence.

Each main applicant may add a spouse and dependents by meeting additional documentation requirements and paying associated government fees.

From Panama Friendly Nations Visa to Permanent Residency: Timeline

Stage	Typical timing	Key tasks
Application trip	First 7 days in Panama	Fingerprints, document filing, temporary ID valid six months
Provisional card	Around month 6	Two-year residence card issued; maintain job or investment
Permanent card	Month 30	Convert status before provisional card expires
Citizenship filing	Year 5 of permanent status	Pass language and integration tests; approval is discretionary

Panama Residency by Investment and the Reality of Citizenship by Investment

Understanding the Long-Term Path from Residency to Citizenship

Choosing either the real estate or fixed deposit route qualifies as Panama Residency by Investment. Your capital becomes the foundation for obtaining legal immigration status under the Panama Friendly Nations Visa. However, Panama does not offer direct Citizenship by Investment programs like some other countries with investor visas.

What It Takes to Become a Citizen of Panama

Citizenship becomes available only after five years of Panama permanent residency. Applicants must show full-time legal residence, integration into Panamanian society, and a clean Criminal Record Certificate. Final approval depends on a government review. That’s why JH Marlin focuses first on helping clients create a compliant residency plan, supported by an experienced immigration attorney. When the time is right, we provide clear guidance for the citizenship process.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap for Panama Friendly Nations Visa

1. Pre-Engagement Document Prep & Apostille

JH Marlin begins by reviewing your passport, police certificate, and financial documents. Certificates must be under six months old and either apostilled or authenticated by a Panamanian consulate. Our legal assistance team checks for compliance and helps open a bank account in Panama so funds are ready for the Application process upon arrival on Panamanian territory.

2. In-Country Seven-Day Process (Day-by-Day Overview)

Day 1: Meet your JH Marlin immigration attorney, sign required documents, and visit the notary or bank to confirm your Real Estate Investment or deposit paperwork.
Day 2: Documents are translated into Spanish and Immigration receipts are submitted.
Day 3: Go to the National Police for fingerprinting, as part of the immigration program requirements.
Day 4: Submit your file to Immigration and receive a temporary residency permit valid for six months.
Day 5: Collect your multiple-entry visa stamp, which allows you to travel during your provisional residence review.
Day 6: If applying via real estate, the deed is submitted to the Public Registry to confirm your economic connection.
Day 7: JH Marlin reviews your file, provides copies, and you may leave Panama. A provisional residence card is usually issued within six months.

3. Post-Approval: From Provisional Card to Permanent ID

Keep your employment, real estate, or deposit active for the full two-year provisional residence period. Before it expires, we file your simplified conversion request. If you haven’t left Panama for more than six months, no new criminal record certificate is needed. Once approved, Immigration issues your permanent residency cédula and the five-year period toward citizenship begins under the Panama Friendly Nations Visa.

Ready to move forward with your Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

Friendly Nations Visa of Panama: Required Documentation Checklist

Main Applicant

Valid passport with at least six months remaining
Second government ID (for example, driver licence)
Recent national-level police certificate, apostilled or authenticated
Proof of economic tie: employment contract, registered property deed, or bank CD of at least 200 000$ USD
Bank reference letter demonstrating financial solvency
Health certificate issued by a Panamanian doctor within 90 days of filing
Passport-size photographs

Spouse & Dependents

Apostilled marriage certificate (spouse)
Apostilled birth certificates for children up to 25 years old
Proof of study or disability for dependents aged 18–25
Parental consent document if one parent is absent during filing

Lifestyle & Tax Advantages of Panama Residency

Territorial Tax System (Foreign-Income Exemption)

How the System Works

Panama only taxes income generated locally. If you earn revenue abroad, whether from consulting or international business, it is not taxed within Panamanian territory. This makes the Panama Friendly Nations Visa especially attractive for remote professionals under the broader immigration program.

Foreign-source income may still be taxable in your country of residence; seek cross-border tax advice.

Cost-of-Living & Quality-of-Life Highlights

Housing and Daily Expenses

Monthly living expenses in Panama City are relatively low. One-bedroom apartments in newer buildings often rent between 1 000$ and 1 500$ USD. In Boquete, a popular destination in Latin America, average rents are lower and total costs can be around 20 percent below those in the capital. This is ideal for applicants with dependents or a provisional residence goal.

Infrastructure and Lifestyle Perks

Panama offers fibre-optic internet, stable infrastructure, and direct flights from Panama City across Latin America and beyond. The climate is warm all year. For remote workers, retirees, and families pursuing permanent residency, the country provides comfort, Legal assistance access, and an efficient immigration program for long-term connection.

Panama Friendly Nations Visa with JH Marlin: Experience the Advantage

Personal Counsel from a Licensed Attorney

A senior immigration attorney oversees your case from onboarding through permanent residency, offering one-on-one legal precision throughout the immigration program.

Pre-Flight Document Vetting

We confirm apostille validity, translation accuracy, and expiry timelines before your trip, reducing last-minute issues with Immigration during the Application process.

Banking and Real-Estate Concierge

Our partners assist in opening your bank account with a bank in Panama, arrange Real Estate Investment support, and ensure your economic connection to Panamanian territory is fully documented.

Fixed-Fee Transparency

Your engagement letter covers all government fees, document translation, and filing costs in advance. You get clear Legal assistance with no hidden charges.

Priority Filing Window

We maintain appointment slots with the National Immigration Service to streamline your temporary residency permit submission and avoid unnecessary delays.

Bilingual Support on Call

English- and Spanish-speaking staff are available from start to finish, keeping you updated on all stages until your permanent residency ID is issued.

Citizenship Follow-Through

We manage calendar reminders and help refresh documents as needed. Once you complete the five-year residency requirement, we guide you toward your passport through a second-citizenship strategy, if you qualify.

With JH Marlin guiding the process, every stage runs on a predictable schedule backed by seasoned legal expertise and concierge-level care.

Start Your Panama Residency Journey with Confidence

Choosing the right legal partner can make all the difference. Whether you’re applying through Real Estate Investment, a time deposit, or business registration, JH Marlin delivers the clarity, precision, and personalized support you need for a smooth experience. From your first document to your permanent residency, we’re with you every step of the way.

Ready to move forward with your Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

Learn more about Panama Friendly Nations Visa & Permanent Residency

Which Countries Qualify for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

Below is the current list of approved countries whose citizens may apply under this immigration program. Eligibility can change, so always verify requirements with an immigration attorney or the National Immigration Service before starting your application:

LIST OF FRIENDLY NATIONS

Great Britain
Germany
Argentina
Australia
Republic of Korea
Austria
Brazil
Belgium
Canada
Spain
USA
Slovakia
Paraguay

France
Finland
Netherlands
Ireland
Japan
Norway
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Singapore
Uruguay
Chile
Sweden

Poland
Hungary
Greece
Portugal
Croatia
Estonia
Lithuania
Latvia
Cyprus
Malta
Serbia
Montenegro

Israel
Denmark
South Africa
New Zealand
Hong Kong
Luxembourg
Liechtenstein
Monaco
Andorra
San Marino
Taiwan
Costa Rica
Mexico

Do I need to visit Panama in person to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa?

A personal trip is required. Applicants must appear in Panama for fingerprinting, photo capture, and submission of the original file to the National Immigration Service. With counsel from your attorney, most paperwork is prepared in advance, so the in-country stay typically lasts five to seven business days, after which you may leave while the file is processed.

What happens if I leave Panama for an extended period during my residency?

During the two-year provisional residency, absences totaling more than six consecutive months can lead to cancellation. Once you hold permanent residency, you must re-enter Panama at least once every two years to keep the status active. Extended absences also pause the five-year clock required before applying for naturalisation and a Panamanian passport.

Can I work in Panama with the Friendly Nations Visa?

Yes, but you must secure a work permit from the Ministry of Labour (MITRADEL). After receiving provisional residency, submit your employment contract and register with Panama’s Social Security Fund. Once the permit is issued, you may work for a Panamanian employer or your own incorporated business, provided you comply with local labour regulations.

What are my tax obligations under Panama’s territorial system?

Panama taxes only income earned inside its borders. Foreign-sourced salaries, dividends, and capital gains remain exempt, even for permanent residents. Earnings from local employment or business activities are taxable at progressive rates, and you must file a return if you generate Panamanian income. Many residents engage a tax adviser to coordinate international reporting requirements.