Panama Qualified Investor Visa for Russian Citizens

The Panama Qualified Investor Visa for Russian citizens offers long-term residency in one of Latin America’s most attractive countries and a global hub. Russians who invest in the country can get Panama permanent residency.

To qualify, Russian applicants must choose one of three investment routes, including real estate investment, a bank deposit, and investing in the Panamanian stock market. The minimum investment required is $300,000.

• Panama Qualified Investor Visa overview for Russians
• Benefits of the Qualified Investor Visa for Russian citizens
• Qualified Investor Visa requirements for Russian investors
• Application process for Russians applying for the Qualified Investor Visa

Introduced by the Government of Panama in October 2020, the Qualified Investor Visa is a permanent residence program available to Russian nationals. The Panama Qualified Investor Visa program is overseen by the Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (Panama National Immigration Service), which grants permanent resident status to foreign nationals who meet the program’s investment requirements.

To obtain permanent residency as a Qualified Investor, Russian applicants must make one of the following three investments:

• Real estate investment
• Stock exchange investment
• Fixed-term deposit

The program starts with a minimum investment of $300,000, and Russian investors can complete the program’s fast processing time of 30 days with assistance from specialized investment migration firms like Global Citizen Solutions, which offers Russian-speaking migration experts to manage the entire process.

1. Permanent residence visa: Russian investors gain immediate permanent residency upon visa application approval.
2. Fast processing: The application process through a licensed Panamanian immigration lawyer takes just 30 to 60 days.
3. Minimal physical presence requirement: There is no requirement to live in Panama to obtain a permanent residency visa, and maintaining the visa requires visiting just once every two years.
4. Tax planning: Ranking second for tax optimization in the Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report, Panama is one of the top countries with no income tax on foreign income. It is also tax-friendly for business, with tax-free foreign income for international companies registered in the country.
5. Family inclusion: Russian applicants can get a Permanent residency permit for their spouse and children.
6. Citizenship eligibility: Russian citizens can qualify for dual citizenship and a Panama passport after five years of holding a Qualified Investor Visa.

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The primary requirements for Russians to apply for permanent residence permits through the Qualified Investor Visa:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a clean criminal record
• Have a legal source of foreign funds
• Maintain the investment for at least five years

Investment Options

Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa offers the following three qualifying investments:

1. Real estate investment

Purchase Panama real estate valued at least $300,000. The property must be clear of legal or financial restrictions, and the investment must be held for at least five years.

2. Stock exchange investment.

Invest at least $500,000 in the Panama stock exchange through a brokerage firm licensed to sell the Panamanian stock market shares.

3. Fixed-term deposit

Maintain a deposit of $750,000 in a Panama-licensed bank for at least five years.

Government fees

Along with the required investment, the main applicant must pay government fees to complete the application process.

• Application fee: $5,000 paid to the National Treasury of Panama.
• Repatriation deposit: $5,000 paid to the Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá (Panama National Immigration Service).
• Dependents: $2,000 per qualifying dependent for the application fee and repatriation deposit.

1. Initial consultation: Initial consultation with an investment firm such as Global Citizen Solutions, which offers Russian-speaking migration specialists, to determine eligibility and a suitable investment.

2. Submit application and pay fees: A licensed Panama immigration lawyer submits the application form, supporting documents, and application fees to the immigration office of the National Immigration Service (NIS).

3. Due diligence checks: The NIS conducts due diligence checks.

4. Pre-approval: Successful applicants receive a letter of approval for Panama permanent residency and can make the required investment.

5. Permanent residence permit issuance: Investors are issued a Panama permanent residence permit.

For Russian applicants, the Qualified Investor Visa application processed by a licensed Panama immigration law firm typically takes around 30 days from submission to issuing a permanent residency visa. After the application has been approved and the investment is finalized, the process is complete once approved applicants travel to Panama to collect their permanent residency permit.