Friendly Nations Visa

Residence for Citizens Coming from Countries Friendly to Panama

This permanent residence option allows foreigners from any of the countries mentioned below, to obtain legal permanent residence in Panama, under the condition that they will undertake an economic or investment activity in the Republic of Panama.

Citizens of the following countries may apply for permanent residence under the current residence option: 

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I. Methods for the Residency Applicant to demonstrate economic or investment activity in the Republic of Panama

The National Migration Service of the Republic of Panama will grant a temporary residence of two (2) years in its first application and indefinite residence in its second application after the first two (2) years, to citizens of friendly countries who comply with one of the following methods of economic or investment activity as follows:

 

  1. For Labor Reasons:

a. Job Letter of the Employer (Panamanian Company) in letterhead, where the position, the salary, the company’s                          commitment to assume the repatriation expenses are certified.The Employee can be a shareholder and director in the              same company offering the job. 

b. Certificate of Public Registry of the Company.

c. Copy of the Notice of Operation of the Company.

 

    In order to obtain the approval of the residence, the worker and the employer will have the obligation to process and obtain                approval of the work permit before the Ministry of Labor to be able to work in the Republic of Panama.

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   2. For Reasons of Investment in a Real Estate:

a. Certificate of Public Registry demonstrating that the applicant is the owner of a real estate with a value of US$200,000.00 or      more. This real estate may be registered as private citizen, a legal entity where the applicant is the beneficiary of the shares      or a private interest foundation where the applicant is the founder and beneficiary. The acquisition of this real estate can be      financed by a local Panamanian bank. There is no maximum amount of financing or minimum amount of payment made by      the applicant of the residence.

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  3. For Time Deposit Reasons:

a. Certificate from a General License Bank to operate in the Republic of Panama where it certifies that the applicant has                established a Time Deposit for a minimum amount of US$200,000.00, free of encumbrances for a minimum period of three        (3) years. This fixed term can be established in the personal title of the applicant, of a legal entity where the applicant is the       beneficiary of the shares or a private interest foundation where the applicant is the founder and beneficiary.

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*Note: Interest income from the fixed term deposit is not subject to taxation by the Panamanian Government. 

 

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II. Procedures to Apply for Residency:

1. Have complied with one of the methodologies to prove his/her above mentioned economic or investment activity. 

2. A visit to Panama is required for your Passport Registration at the Immigration Office. You will also sign the Special Power of Attorney for our law firm to handle your immigration paperwork and to start the processing of the Permanent Visa.  (For the visit to immigration you cannot wear shorts, sandals, or sleeveless shirts). 

3. Provide all required original authenticated documents. 

4. Our law firm submits your application for your Permanent Visa.

5. Next Day after Application, we will coordinate a trip with the applicant to the immigration offices to obtain six (6) month temporary residency ID, so applicant has during the remainder of the residency application process.

6. After filing the application, within approximately six (6) months, the Immigration Department will issue the final resolution approving your two (2) year temporary residency.  We will notify you by e-mail, so that we can proceed and coordinate to obtain the two (2) year temporary residence card.

 

*Note: For the accomplishment of the previous steps, we require that applicant and any dependent, schedule to be in Panama City, for at least five (05) business (05) days to accomplish the registration at immigration, application of residency and six (6) month temporary residency ID, so that you can leave the country under your new immigration status.

 

 

III. Documents Required to Apply for Residency:

 

1. Photocopy of complete valid passport of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable), including the picture page (that shows the picture, name, date of birth, passport number, place of issue, etc.), and all other pages, including the stamp on entry into the country.  This should be provided after the Passport Registration is registered at the Immigration Office in Panama.  Please note that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of the immigration application.  These photocopies can be made in our office.

2. Six (6) passport sized photographs of the applicant (and dependents - if applicable).

3. Proof of Economic Solvency:

​a. Bank Reference Letter: showing an amount of at least four mid-figures ($5,000.00 plus) in the bank account. The bank              reference letter must be issued by a bank licensed to operate in the Republic of Panama. (This is only required if you                include dependents).

   4. Documents to demonstrate your economic or investment activity mentioned above in paragraph (I).

   5. Police record from the country of last two (2) years of residency, for main applicant and any dependent over 18 years old. The           police report must contain the following premises in order to have validity at moment of application:

a. This police report cannot be older than six (6) months at the moment of application.

b. If you are a U.S. Citizen this must be a document issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) and for Canadians it      must be a fingerprinted R.C.M.P. report.

c. If the applicant leaves Panama and returns home to their country, before the application is submitted, but after the police            report has been issued, then said Police Report loses validity for immigration purposes and a new one must be obtained. 

d. The Police Report must be authenticated by Panamanian Consulate in the country of its issuance or duly apostilled in the          country of its issuance of said police report. 

 

   6. Necessary documentation for the proof of dependents:

a. For Spouses: Marriage certificate cannot have more than six (6) months of having been issued.

b. For Children: Birth Certificate. For children between 18 - 25 years of age they will also need proof that they are enrolled, full      time, in a University in the Republic of Panama or outside of Panama. 

c. For Parents: Birth Certificate of the Applicants (for children under 18 years - if applicable). These documents must be                authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in their country of issuance or duly apostilled in their country of issuance.

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*Note: For these documents to be valid at the time of filing, they must be authenticated by the Panamanian Consulate in their country of issuance or duly apostilled in their country of issuance.