Permanent Residency Panama Visas
Visas for Permanent Residency in Panama Panama offers a range of visas for those interested in becoming a permanent resident. These include retiree visas, investor visas, and visa-by-marriage. Applicants must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for a visa..
Visas for pensioners (retirees) in Panama:
Applicants must be over 18 years of age with a lifetime pension or annuity paying a minimum of $1,000 USD per month. Depending on the type of annuity or pension, each dependent must pay $250 per month. Pensions or annuities can be paid by private companies, military, government agencies, corporations, banks, insurance companies, or trusts. Several discounts are available on movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, concerts, and domestic airlines with this Panama visa.
Friendly Nations Visa:
Panama offers permanent residency visas to citizens of 50 nations considered "friendly" to the country. A property in Panama worth US$200,000 or employment by a Panama company are the only requirements for citizens of 50 friendly nations. The 50 friendly nations are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Marino, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States of America, Uruguay, United Kingdom (Great Britain & Northern Ireland).
The professional employment visa consists of:
After two years of being a temporary resident, foreigners working for a Panama company in a "professional" capacity can become permanent residents by paying social security taxes. Panama's Constitution does not define the term "professional" or the laws defining a professional.
Visas for reforestation investors in Panama:
The Panamanian law on Reforestation Investors recently changed, offering these options:
- In exchange for a minimum investment of US$80,000 in a reforestation project certified by the government, a temporary resident permit is granted for a period of five years.
- In exchange for a minimum investment of US$100,000 in a reforestation project certified by the government, one is granted a two-year temporary residency following which one can apply for permanent residency.
- Within 30 days after investing $350,000 in a reforestation project certified by the government, permanent residency status is granted.
The above reforestation investments must be held for at least five years, and they can be made either personally or through a Panamanian corporation or foundation.
Self-Economic Solvency Visa for Panama:
For foreigners with high incomes, this visa offers three options:
- Any Panama real estate investment must be backed by a minimum investment of US$300,000, with a dependent investment of $2,000 USD each.
- Investment in a 3-year CD with a Panama bank of at least US$300,000. The deposit for each dependent is $2,000 more.
- Combining the first two options by investing in Panama real estate and Panama bank CDs with a minimum cash and equity of US$300,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency). Each dependent must contribute $2000 USD.
Panama’s Qualified Investor Program:
This program offers three options for obtaining expedited permanent residency in Panama (30 days) (leading to citizenship and Panama passport after 5 years):
- Purchase a property in Panama for $300,000 (no mortgage). A minimum investment of US$500,000 will be required for the purchase of real estate in Panama after October 15th, 2022.
- Buy securities on the Panama Stock Market through any qualified and licensed Panamanian brokerage firm. Investing must be for a period of five (5) years.
- Put $750,000 in a time deposit at a bank in Panama (the bank must have a general banking license), for a term of five (5) years.
As long as the investor is the sole 100% final beneficiary of the Panama corporation or Panama private interest foundation, all three of the above Qualified Investor investment options can be made in the investor's personal name or in the name of the investor's Panama corporation or Panama private interest foundation. A bank outside Panama must have provided the funds for the investment.
A business investor visa is available in Panama:
Capital stock of a Panama corporation must be purchased for a minimum of US$160,000. In addition to being a shareholder, the foreigner can also be an officer. For each dependent, an additional $2,000 must be invested.
If you are married to a Panamanian citizen:
It must be a valid marriage (not a sham) to a Panamanian citizen, and the applicant can then apply for permanent residency.
Visa for parents of Panamanian children:
This permanent visa is available to the parents of children over five years old born in Panama.