Special Investments
Main Requirements:
Make the economic investment in certain special industries defined by immigration laws, the amounts of which can range approximately between US$ 160K and US$ 250K, although in some cases they may vary.
Industries:
Macro Investor: Investing or creating a business in Panama. Although this program is suggested for investors looking to buy pre-existing businesses.
Call Center: Invest and create an international call center duly registered with the National Public Services Authority.
Free Trade Zones: Invest and operate a business in one of the free trade zones authorized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Colon Free Zone: Invest and operate a business in the highly recognized Colon Free Zone, located in the Atlantic sector of the country.
Panama Pacific: Invest and operate a business in the Panama Pacific special economic area.
Film and Audiovisual: Invest and develop business in the industry in accordance with the conditions established in special law No. 36 of 2007
*Note:
Investment funds can ONLY come from abroad.
In many cases, the entire financial investment must be made before being able to apply to residency programs.
What would be the requirements for this residency procedure?
Evidence of investment required.
Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where you have resided for the last 2 years. Adults only.
US Citizens: FBI
Citizens of Canada: RCMP
UK Citizens: NPCC
Marriage certificate (if applicable).
Birth certificate of children (if you will include children as dependents)
Birth certificate of the principal (if he/she will include his/her parents as dependents)
There are other requirements, but these are managed with you in Panama.
Who applies?:
The principal applicant and his or her dependents may apply.
For immigration purposes, dependents are understood to be:
Spouse: It is mandatory to be formally married
Minor children
Older children between 18 and 25 years old
Parents of the principal applicant
How is the procedure carried out?
For the application process, it is mandatory that the main applicant and his/her family travel to Panama with the listed requirements. Only one family member cannot travel to represent everyone.
Once all requirements have been met, a visit is required for the initial presentation and a second visit for completion.
First visit: Between 4 and 5 business days
Second visit: 2 business days
During the processing period, the National Immigration Service will provide the main applicant and dependents with identification as a “person in the process of residence”
During the period of the residency process, you and your family can travel outside of Panama without any restrictions.
Approval of the procedure takes on average 4 and a half months.
The initial approval will be a provisional resident status for 2 years, and prior to the expiration of the 2 years, the process for permanent residence will be carried out.
What documents need to be legalized?
Criminal record
Marriage certificates (if applicable)
Birth certificate (both in cases of having dependent parents or in case of having children)
Document validation:
It is extremely important to note that any type of document issued by another nation MUST be duly legalized. The legalization process is carried out at the Panamanian Consulate in the country where the documents are issued or through the Apostille seal, which is regularly obtained from the foreign ministries of the country of origin.
Benefits:
It grants temporary resident status initially for 2 years and prior to the completion of the 2 years, an application for permanent residence must be submitted.
Option to apply for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years or even in less time if the applicant is a citizen of a country with a diplomatic agreement for the elimination of time.
Option to apply for a work permit.