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Friendly Country Visa

Main Requirements:

  • The principal applicant must have citizenship (passport) of countries authorized as friendly countries.

  • Have an economic or professional link with Panama.

List of friendly countries:

  • Germany

  • Andorra

  • Argentina

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Brazil

  • Canada

  • Chili

  • Cyprus

  • South Korea

  • Costa Rica

  • Croatia

  • Denmark

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Spain

  • United States of America

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Greece

  • Hong Kong

  • Hungary

  • Ireland

  • Israel

  • Japan

  • Latvia

  • Liechtenstein

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Malta

  • Mexico

  • Norway

  • New Zealand

  • Countries

  • Low

  • Paraguay

  • Peru Poland

  • Portugal

  • United Kingdom

  • Republic

  • Czech

  • Serbia

  • Singapore

  • South Africa

  • Sweden

  • Swiss

  • Taiwan

  • Uruguay

Economic link:

  • Investment in a property with a value of not less than US$ 200,000*
    Create a 3-year fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian bank for an amount not less than US$200,000*

*Note:

  • The investment in property or fixed-term deposit must be increased by US$ 2,000.00 for each dependent that the principal applicant includes in his/her application for residency. Example: The principal applicant has a wife and a child, which means that his/her investment must be at least US$ 204,000.00.

  • In the case of property investment, the investment may be financed with a mortgage loan.

Professional link:

  • The principal applicant must be hired as an executive in a Panamanian company that complies with the percentages established by law for the hiring of foreigners, or cases where they can be self-employed.

What would be the requirements for this residency procedure?:

  • Evidence of investment required and being a national of one of the listed countries.

  • 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.

  • Initial approval will be a provisional resident status for 2 years, and prior to the expiration of the 2 years, the permanent residence process is carried out.

What document(s) need to be legalized for this procedure?

  • 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, the application for permanent residence is 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.

  • It grants the right to have a work permit initially for the main applicant and then for dependents.

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