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Panama Friendly Nations Visa – The Ultimate Guide

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If Latin American residency is on your bingo card for 2026, then the Panama Friendly Nations Visa may be the perfect fit.  

This visa is designed for citizens of countries with professional, economic or investment ties with Panama, allowing them to live and work in Panama, provided they meet all the requirements.  

However, as with any residency program, you must understand how the program works, the benefits, drawbacks, and whether you qualify. Keep reading, as we explore these and many more in this post.  

Key Takeaways 

  • The Panama Friendly Nations Visa provides a straightforward path to 2-year provisional residency, then to permanent residency and eventual citizenship, with the option to include spouses and dependent children. 
  • Applicants can qualify via employment with a Panamanian companyreal estate investment of USD 200,000, or bank deposit of USD 200,000
  • Citizens of 50+ “Friendly Nations”, including the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Brazil, and others, can apply, provided they can show professional, economic, or investment ties to Panama. 
  • Friendly Nations Visa holders gain the right to live, work, study, and invest in Panama, access healthcare, enjoy Panama’s territorial tax system, and benefit from an affordable and efficient application process compared to other residency programs. 

What is the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

View of the Panama Canal

The Panama Friendly Nations Visa program is a temporary, then after two years, permanent residency program designed to allow citizens of specific countries that have great professional, investment, or economic ties with Panama to live and work in Panama.  

Successful applicants obtain provisional residency valid for two years. After this period, you can apply for a permanent residency permit.  

The Friendly Nations Visa is a type of residency by investment visa created to boost the economy by allowing international citizens of 50+ select countries (including the US, Canada, UK, EU countries, Brazil, and others) to obtain permanent residency in Panama. Due to its design and purpose, it is one of the most popular and easy-to-get residency visas in the country.  

Panama Friendly Nations Visa Highlights

  • The Panama Friendly Nations visa operates under a mandatory two-step system: successful applicants get provisional residency first, then permanent residency after two years of maintaining needed requirements.  
  • Provisional residency is typically issued within 2-4 months after filing a complete application with all documents submitted.  
  • Applicants must qualify through employment, real estate investment (USD 200,000+), or a fixed-term bank deposit (USD 200,000+) 
  • Applicants must be present in Panama at key stages during the application for biometrics and residency card issuance.  
  • There is no annual minimum stay requirement, but residents must enter Panama at least once every two years to maintain status 
  • The list of eligible Friendly Nations countries remains unchanged in 2026 

Benefits of Panama Friendly Nations Visa Program

Panama

Here are some of the main benefits of this visa program.  

Fast & easy application process: This visa has a straightforward application process. Once you meet all requirements, you should expect approval within 2-4 months.  

Family inclusion: With this visa, the primary applicant can include dependents (spouse and dependent children under 25) to the application, and they can all obtain permanent residency.  

Work permit: Successful applicants get a 2-year provisional work permit that is renewable. 

Clear path to permanent residency: After the 2-year provisional residency elapses, you can apply and obtain permanent residency.  

Direct pathway to citizenship: After 5 years of permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship and get your Panama passport, provided you fulfil other requirements.  

Easy settlement: Panama Friendly Nations Visa allows you and your family to fully settle, live, work, study and invest in Panama and travel within the country with zero restrictions.  

Access to good healthcare: Through this visa, you and your family gain uninterrupted access to Panama’s private and public healthcare systems. You can also purchase private health insurance.  

Affordable: The Friendly Nations Visa is quite affordable at a minimum price of $200,000 compared to other residency or Qualified Investor visa programs which often start from $300,000+.  

Tax benefits: Panama has a territorial tax system. So, income earned outside of Panama is not subject to tax. This means, if you gain tax residency in Panama, you only pay tax on income earned in Panama and don’t have to pay tax on foreign-earned income, this includes inheritances or gifts.

Be a Citizen of an eligible country.   

Panama Friendly Nations Visa List of eligible countries  

Here is the full list of the 50 countries whose citizens qualify for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa.  

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 Peru Uruguay United States of America 

Establish professional or economic ties with Panama 

You can prove professional or economic activity or ties with Panama in three major ways:  

  1. Have a valid employment contract with a Panamanian company and a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. You can also create your own company in Panama. 
  2. Invest a minimum of $200,000 in real estate in Panama. You can purchase and hold this property or via a legal entity, but you must be the final beneficiary for at least 2 years. This amount is the same for a single applicant and a family, regardless of how many dependents are added to the application.  
  3. Deposit a minimum of $200,000 in a fixed deposit personal bank account in Panama for at least 2 years. This account must be in a general license bank in Panama, and the funds must be unencumbered. This means, the money in the account must be fully yours and freely available for use at any time, with no restrictions or claims on it for at least 2 years.  

Note that mortgage/borrowing does not qualify as unencumbered funds. Gifts and sponsorship may work, but would need bank statements, and a paper trail clearly showing the source of funds and supporting documentation that it was legally obtained.  

Provide required documentation 

Here are the required documents for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa application.  

General Documents 

  • Completed visa application form 
  • Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) 
  • Two passport-size photographs 
  • Criminal record certificate or police clearance certificate (issued by federal or national police within the last 6 months from applicant’s country of residence for the last two years) 
  • Proof of financial capacity and solvency (e.g. bank statements or tax returns). 
  • Health certificate issued by a local doctor in the last 90 days. 
  • Personal background declaration (work and education history) 
  • Bank certification confirming source of funds (apostilled if issued abroad). 
  • Notarized letter confirming completion of the relevant financial transaction.  

Proof of Economic or Investment Ties (one required) 

Real Estate Investment 

You need a certificate from the Public Registry evidencing ownership of the real estate. 

The property may be held: 

  • in the personal name of the applicant; or 
  • by a legal entity, provided that the applicant is the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares, equity contributions, or corporate quotas of the company; or 
  • by a private interest foundation, provided that the applicant is both the founder and ultimate beneficiary. 
  • the real estate must have a minimum value of USD 200,000 

Fixed-Term Bank Deposit 

  • Certificate from a general license bank in Panama confirming a fixed-term deposit of at least USD 200,000 (free of encumbrances and sourced from abroad) 
  • Notarized deposit agreement (minimum two-year term) 

Dependents (if applicable) 

  • Letter of responsibility from the main applicant 
  • Proof of relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificates) 
  • Proof of shared address 
  • For dependents over 18: 
    • Single status certificate 
    • Student certificate (if applicable) 

Additional Notes 

  • Applicants must travel to Panama at least twice during the process 
  • All documents must be apostilled or notarized and translated into Spanish 
  • Common law partners cannot apply together as you need an authenticated marriage certificate in accordance with Panamanian law.  

How to Apply for Panama Friendly Nations Visa Program (Step-by-step)

person applying for Panama Friendly Nations Visa

Here is a detailed process of how to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama in 10 simple steps. 

1. Confirm eligibility: Applicant must be a citizen of a Friendly Nations country and qualify through employment, real estate investment, or a fixed-term bank deposit. 

2. Select qualification route 

  • Employment with a Panamanian company (labor contract + work permit), or 
  • Real estate investment of at least USD 200,000, or 
  • Minimum investment in form of a fixed-term bank deposit of USD 200,000 in a Panamanian bank (minimum 2-year term). 

3. Prepare documents: Passport, police clearance, proof of qualifying investment or employment, driving license, proof of address, and dependent documents, including birth certificates (if applicable). Foreign documents must be apostilled or consularized. 

4. Open local bank account & complete investment: Required for real estate or deposit routes. Funds must come from a foreign source and be documented. 

5. Travel to Panama: Physical presence is required. Applicants must visit Panama at least twice during the process. 

6. Submit application: File through a licensed Panamanian attorney with the National Immigration Service and pay applicable fees.  

7. Temporary residency card issued: Upon filing, the applicant receives a temporary residency card and a multiple entry visa allowing legal stay and travel while the application is processed. Processing times typically range from 2 to 4 months, depending on the applicant’s profile and document completeness.   

8. Panama Friendly Nations Visa processing time: Typical processing time is 2-4 months. 

9. Apply for permanent residency card: After the provisional period (generally 2 years), apply in person for your permanent residency permit, provided qualifying conditions remain in place. 

10. Maintain residency: Maintain the qualifying economic tie and enter Panama at least once every two years. 

Panama Friendly Nations Visa cost

Government fees for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa come up to about $1,020. These fees are paid directly to Panamanian authorities and apply per applicant. 

  • Applicant’s residence permit – $500 
  • Dependent’s residence permit – $350 
  • Multiple entry and exit visa – $70 
  • Work permit (separate process) – $100 

Additional professional, legal, or administrative costs may apply depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. 

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.

  • We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top residency by investment and citizenship by investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance. 
  • Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
  • Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
  • All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
  • Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
  • The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must be citizens of an eligible country and show economic or professional ties to Panama through employment, real estate investment, or a qualifying bank deposit, along with a clean criminal record and required documentation.

Government fees are around $1,020. However, other costs like legal fees, bank deposits, visas, translations may vary.

The program applies to 50+ approved countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, EU member states, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and others listed in the official Friendly Nations list.

Once a complete application is submitted, processing typically takes 2 to 4 months, depending on document completeness and the applicant’s nationality.

Yes, it is highly recommended to hire a licensed Panamanian lawyer to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa. A good attorney files your application correctly with the National Immigration Service, ensuring all documents, and investments meet all legal requirements. This can prevent delays or mistakes that could affect approval.

Citizens from over 50 countries, including the U.S., Canada, EU nations, and many Latin American countries, are eligible.

Yes, after completing 2 years of temporary residency, you can apply for permanent residency if you maintain your qualifying investment or employment.

Submit your application through a licensed Panamanian immigration attorney, provide required documents, and pay the government fees. You will need to be physically present in Panama at certain stages.

Not necessarily. You can qualify via employment, real estate investment, or a bank deposit. A job offer is only required for the employment route.

Yes, retirees can qualify if they meet one of the financial or investment criteria, such as a bank deposit or real estate ownership.

Yes, if you are using the real estate or bank deposit route, a Panamanian bank account is required to hold the funds.

The provisional residency is valid for 2 years, after which you can apply for permanent residency.

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