Panama sits between Central and South America and is a global hub for banking and trade, thanks to the Panama Canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. For investors looking to enter the market, the Panama Qualified Investor Visa is one of the fastest and most flexible residency-by-investment programs in Latin America.
Also known as the Panama Golden Visa, this visa program allows eligible investors to secure residency while enjoying the stability and opportunities that come with investing and living in one of the region’s most dynamic economies.
In this 2025 guide, we’ll cover:
What is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
The Panama Qualified Investor Visa (QIV), also known as the Panama Golden Visa, is a program that grants foreigners a fast-track to permanent residency by making a qualifying investment in the country, such as a real estate purchase, an investment in the Panamanian stock market, or a fixed-term bank deposit.
With a simple, 30-day processing period, it is one of the fastest ways to gain permanent residency in the region, and applicants are not required to be physically present in Panama to initiate the process.
Top 10 Benefits of the Panama Qualified Investor Immigration Program
The Panama Golden Visa program offers major benefits to investors, including immediate permanent residency, a straightforward path to citizenship, a territorial tax system, a high quality of life, and excellent global connections.
- Immediate permanent residency: The program gives applicants immediate permanent residency in Panama with a minimum physical presence requirement.
- Pathway to Panama citizenship: After maintaining residency for five years, it’s possible to apply for Panama citizenship.
- Fast processing and remote application: The application process is typically completed between 30-90 days. Submissions can be made remotely, and travel to Panama is only required after approval to complete biometric data and receive the residence card.
- Quality of life: The right to live, work, and study in Panama, with a low cost of living and a high quality of life.
- Family inclusion: Residency benefits extend to spouses, children, differently abled dependents, and parents.
- Business opportunities: Easy access to markets across Central, South, and North America, with access to regional business opportunities in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
- Global trade access: Home to the Panama Canal, a vital global trade route for vehicles, grains, petroleum, and coal
- Territorial tax system benefits: According to the Global Retirement Report by the Global Intelligence Unit (GIU), Panama ranks #2 on the Tax Optimization Index. Only income earned in Panama is taxed, while foreign income remains tax-free, creating optimal conditions for foreigners.
- No mandatory residency: Maintaining residency status only requires visiting Panama at least once every two years.
- No language barrier: In Panama, English and Spanish are spoken, making it an easy language to learn.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa Eligibility Criteria
The following eligibility criteria applies to the Panama Qualified Investor Visa:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record, proven with a national background check (apostilled/authenticated and valid for six months).
- Applicants must make a qualifying investment in Panama.
Eligible dependents
- Spouse: The legal husband or wife of the applicant can be included as a dependent.
- Biological or Adopted Children: Children under the age of 25 can qualify as dependents.
- Stepchildren: Stepchildren are also eligible, provided they meet the age requirement.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa Minimum Investment 2025
To qualify for permanent residency, applicants must choose one of the available investment routes and meet the application requirements. The Panama Qualified Investor Visa offers three main investment routes, with alternative investment options for specific cases.
- Real estate investment: Invest $300,000 or more in real estate, free of liens. This includes pre-sale real estate projects.
- Panamanian stock market investment: Purchase securities for $500,000 or more through a licensed Panamanian brokerage firm.
- Fixed-term bank deposit: Open a time deposit of $750,000 or more, free of liens, in a qualified Panamanian bank.
Each investment must be held for a minimum of five years to maintain permanent residency status.
Panama Golden Visa Requirements and Documents
In addition to the minimum investment, all applicants must provide the following documentation:
- A completed visa application form.
- A passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Two passport-sized photos.
- A criminal record certificate from your home country (valid for six months).
- Documents proving your financial capacity and the source of your funds (e.g., bank statements, tax returns).
- A health certificate.
- A personal background declaration.
- A notarized letter confirming the transaction and a bank certification verifying the source of the funds.
Specific documents based on your investment type
If you invest in real estate:
- A certificate from the Public Registry of Panama proving you own the property.
- Proof that the property is free of any liens or debt.
- A certificate from the National Authority of Land Titling (ANATI) confirming the property’s value.
If you invest in the Panama stock market:
- A statement from a Panamanian brokerage firm showing your investment.
- A certificate from the Superintendence of the Stock Market of Panama confirming your securities are registered.
If you make a fixed-term bank deposit:
- A certificate from a Panamanian bank confirming a fixed-term deposit of at least $750,000.
- A notarized agreement stating that the deposit is for a term of at least five years.
For all investment types, you will also need a Certification of Eligibility issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa Application Process
- Choose an investment option
- Gather the required documents
- Submit the application and all supporting documents to the National Immigration Service (SNM) of Panama. This can be done in person or through a legal representative.
- The SNM will review the application for completeness and accuracy.
- If approved, the applicant will receive a notification from the SNM with instructions on how to finalize the residency process.
- Complete the required steps to obtain the Panama Qualified Investor Visa and permanent residency, including paying the required fees to the National Immigration Service and National Treasury.
- Obtain your Panamanian ID card (E-Cedula)
- To maintain permanent residency, you must annually prove that your investment is still valid.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa Timeline
The Panama Investor Visa processing time can take anywhere from 30 days to 4 months.
An attorney or immigration specialist can handle the entire process on your behalf. The entire application process for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa can be done remotely, without the applicant needing to be physically present in Panama.
After the application is approved, the applicant must visit Panama within 2 years of approval to submit biometrics and obtain their Permanent Residency ID at the immigration offices in Panama City. This visit to Panama is required to finalize the residency process, but the entire application can be done remotely prior to this.
Panama Golden Visa Costs
Apart from the investment amounts, applicants will need to pay a $5,000 application fee to the National Treasury and a $5,000 repatriation deposit to the National Immigration Service.
An additional $2,000 split between the National Treasury and the Immigration Service for each dependent of age will also be required. Children under 12 years of age will only require $1,000 to be paid to the National Treasury.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa Minimum Residency Requirements
A key benefit of the Panama Qualified Investor Visa is that you don’t need to live in Panama full-time to maintain residency status. However, you will need to visit Panama for at least one day every two years.
You will also need to ensure your qualifying investment is maintained for at least five years.
Becoming a Panamanian Citizen
After five years of legal residency, investors can apply for citizenship through naturalization in Panama.
Citizens of some Latin American countries and Spain may qualify in just one to three years.
To be approved, applicants must demonstrate strong ties to Panama (such as property ownership, investments, or long-term presence) and show proficiency in Spanish, along with knowledge of the country’s history, culture, and values through an interview.
With a Panama passport, you can travel visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival to over 139–141 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and many others.
Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?
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. We have a team of immigration lawyers, and immigration advisers specialized in US immigration.
- 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 about the Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Who is eligible for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
Applicants must be 18 or older with a clean criminal record and good health to be eligible for the visa.
What types of investments qualify for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?
The three main types of investment are a real estate investment, an investment in the Panamanian stock market, or a fixed-term bank deposit.
What is the minimum real estate investment required for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa in 2025?
The Panama Qualified Investor Visa minimum real estate investment 2025 is $300,000.
How long does the application process for the Panama Qualified Investor Visa take?
The application process generally takes about 30 days, making it one of the fastest residency routes in Panama.
Can my family members be included in the application?
Yes, family members can be included in the application. Residency benefits extend to spouses, children, differently abled dependents, and parents.
Are there any taxes associated with real estate investment in Panama for this visa?
Yes, there are taxes associated with real estate investments in Panama, including annual property taxes and real estate transfer taxes on sales. You may also be subject to capital gains tax upon selling the property.