Friendly Nations Visa – Panama
The Friendly Nations Visa offers eligible nationals a clear and efficient path to legal residency in Panama, with access to professional, financial, and long-term settlement benefits.
Overview & Benefits
The Friendly Nations Visa is a Panamanian immigration program available to nationals of specific countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relations with the Republic of Panama. Eligible applicants may obtain legal residency in Panama through a Provisional Residence Permit, with eligibility to apply for Permanent Residence thereafter.
Key benefits include legal residence status, access to banking and administrative services, authorization to engage in economic or professional activities (subject to applicable permits), the possibility to include dependents, and a streamlined immigration process.
Eligible Nationalities
This visa category is available exclusively to nationals of the following countries, pursuant to Executive Decree No. 226 of July 20, 2021:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea (South Korea), San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, and Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China).
Pathway to Legal Residency in Panama
A streamlined path to legal residence for nationals of approved countries
Qualification Pathways
Applicants may qualify under one (1) of the following pathways:
- Employment in Panama
- Real Estate Investment (minimum USD 200,000)
- Fixed-Term Bank Deposit (minimum USD 200,000 for three years)
Services
Our services include immigration evaluation, preparation and filing of documentation, coordination of notarization and translations, assistance during the immigration appointment, and follow-up until resolution. Additional services may include work permits, corporate services, inclusion of dependents, coordination with real estate and insurance providers, notification of address or passport changes, and preliminary guidance on naturalization.
Next Steps
This document is for informational purposes only. Immigration requirements are subject to change. A personalized evaluation is recommended prior to initiating the process. Formal representation is provided through an Engagement Letter.
FAQ
What is the Friendly Nations Visa of Panama?
The Friendly Nations Visa is an immigration program that allows citizens from more than 50 countries to obtain residence in Panama. Since August 2021, this program grants temporary residence for 2 years, after which the holder may apply for permanent residence. It is one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Panama due to its accessible requirements.
Which countries qualify for the Friendly Nations Visa?
Citizens from more than 50 countries qualify, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, Australia, Japan, among others. The complete list is established by the National Immigration Service of Panama.
What are the requirements for the Friendly Nations Visa?
The main requirements are: being a citizen of a friendly nation, demonstrating a real economic or professional connection with Panama (such as incorporating a company with verifiable activity, having an employment contract, or making an investment), opening a bank account, and presenting an apostilled criminal background check. Since 2021, the economic connection requirements have been strengthened, requiring real proof of professional activity or investment.
Does the Friendly Nations Visa allow you to work in Panama?
Yes, the Friendly Nations Visa grants temporary residence with the right to live and work in Panama. After completing the 2 years of temporary residence, you may apply for permanent residence, which allows you to remain in the country indefinitely.
How long does the Friendly Nations Visa process take?
The process to obtain temporary residence generally takes between 3 and 5 months from the submission of the application. Afterward, following 2 years of temporary residence, the permanent residence process may take a few additional months. The total process until permanent residence is approximately 3 years. At Paralelaw, we handle the preparation of all documentation to streamline each stage.
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