Friendly Nations Visa – Panama

The Friendly Nations Visa is Panama’s most popular residency route for citizens of over 50 countries, created by Executive Decree 226 of 2021. It grants two-year temporary residency convertible to permanent residency, based on one qualifying economic tie to Panama.

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

Which countries qualify for the Friendly Nations Visa?

More than 50 nations with strong ties to Panama, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Israel, among others, pursuant to Executive Decree 226 of July 20, 2021.

What are the three qualifying pathways?

(1) Real estate: purchase property worth at least $200,000; (2) Fixed-term deposit: a three-year bank deposit of at least $200,000; or (3) Employment: a job offer and contract from a company legally established in Panama, registered with Social Security (CSS) and authorized by the Ministry of Labor.

How much does the Friendly Nations Visa cost?

Government fees are approximately $1,050 per applicant ($250 to the National Treasury + $800 to the National Immigration Service), plus attorney fees, apostilles and translations, and a medical certificate. The real estate or deposit pathway also requires the $200,000 qualifying investment.

How long does it take, and does it lead to permanent residency?

The visa grants two-year temporary residency (typically approved in four to six months). After two years you can apply for permanent residency, and Panamanian citizenship may be requested five years after obtaining permanent residency.

What are the general requirements?

Be a citizen of a qualifying country, be over 18, hold a clean apostilled criminal record, pass a health certificate from a Panamanian doctor, prove your economic tie through one of the three pathways, and file through a licensed Panamanian immigration attorney (legally required).