Requirements, Qualifying Countries, Timeline, and How to Apply
Establish provisional residency in Panama and start your path to permanent residency and citizenship — if you’re a citizen of one of Panama’s 50+ friendly nations.
What Is the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?
The Panama Friendly Nations Visa is a residency program designed to attract professionals, investors, and
entrepreneurs from countries with which Panama maintains strong diplomatic and economic relations. Originally
introduced in 2012 and significantly reformed in 2021, it remains one of the most popular and accessible ways to
obtain legal residency in Latin America.
As of 2026, the Friendly Nations Visa grants a 2-year provisional residency, after which you can apply for permanent
residency. It does not require you to live in Panama full-time, making it attractive for professionals and investors
who want a foothold in Panama without immediately relocating.
Eligible countries include: The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most EU member states,
among 50+ total qualifying nations.
Requirements
To qualify, you must:
Be a citizen of a qualifying Friendly Nation (check Panama’s official immigration authority list for the current
approved countries).
Demonstrate a genuine economic or professional tie to Panama through one of three pathways:
Employment Pathway:
- Formal labor contract with a Panamanian company registered with the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL)
- The applicant must be hired as a full employee receiving all legal social security benefits
Real Estate Investment Pathway:
- Investment of at least $200,000 in Panamanian real estate registered in the applicant’s personal name or a local
foundation
Fixed-Term Bank Deposit Pathway:
- Opening a fixed-term deposit certificate (certificate of deposit) of at least $200,000 at a licensed general
bank in Panama - The deposit must be free of encumbrances and locked for a minimum term of 3 years
Additional requirements for all applicants:
- Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity
- FBI background check (or national equivalent) with Hague Apostille, issued within 6 months
- Birth certificate with Hague Apostille
- Health certificate issued by a licensed Panamanian physician within 90 days of filing
- All foreign documents translated into Spanish by a certified Panamanian public translator
- Application filed through a licensed Panamanian immigration attorney (required by law)
- Government fees: $250 to the National Treasury and $800 for the repatriation deposit
Dependent Spouse and Children
Your spouse and dependent children can be included on your Friendly Nations Visa application.
Spouse requirements:
- No additional income or investment threshold required
- Apostilled marriage certificate
- Valid passport
- Clean background check with apostille
Dependent children requirements:
- Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 25 if they are full-time students at an educational institution in
Panama - Apostilled birth certificate
- Valid passport
- Sworn declaration of single status for adult dependents under 25
Parents of the primary applicant may also be included as dependents. The main applicant must prove economic solvency
of at least $1,000 monthly plus $100 for each dependent included.
Benefits of the Friendly Nations Visa
- Legal residency in Panama with no minimum annual presence requirement
- Path to permanent residency after 2 years
- Eligibility for citizenship after 5 years of total residency
- Ability to include spouse, children, and parents as dependents
- Ability to open Panamanian bank accounts and own property with a reliable legal framework
- Does not require you to live in Panama full-time; must enter the country at least once every 2 years to maintain
status
What the Friendly Nations Visa Does NOT Allow
Employment with Panamanian employers without a separate work permit process. Immediate permanent residency (that
stage changed following the 2021 regulatory overhaul).
However: You can work remotely for foreign employers or clients. You can own a Panamanian company and receive
dividends. After 2 years, you can apply for permanent residency, and successful applicants have the right to secure
a renewable work permit to operate within the local economy.
How to Apply
All visa applications in Panama must by law be filed through a licensed immigration attorney. The process is:
- Select your pathway (employment, real estate, or bank deposit) and prepare documentation at origin
- Obtain apostilled background check, birth certificate, and marriage certificate in your home country
- Travel to Panama as a tourist to complete the medical exam, execute the power of attorney, and execute the local
investment or labor filing - Your attorney files the application package, and you attend a biometrics appointment in Panama to receive a
provisional card - Wait for provisional residency approval (provisional resolution is issued in approximately 3 to 5 months)
- After 2 years of holding provisional status, apply for definitive permanent residency
Timeline
Document preparation at origin: 1–3 months. Processing by the National Immigration Service after submission: 3–5
months. Total typical timeline: 4–8 months.
What Does It Cost?
Government immigration fees: $250 for the application fee and $800 for the repatriation deposit per adult applicant
($350 deposit for dependents). Processing card fee: approximately $50. Attorney fees: vary; most reputable firms
charge $1,500–$3,000 for a complete application. Document procurement (apostilles, local certified translations):
$300–$800 depending on your origin country.
Who Is the Friendly Nations Visa Best For?
This visa is ideal if you:
- Are a citizen of one of the 50+ qualifying nations
- Are working-age and not yet eligible for the Pensionado Visa
- Can demonstrate a genuine financial tie through employment, real estate, or a certificate of deposit
- Want a clear path to permanent residency and citizenship
- Want to maintain flexibility on how much time you spend in Panama each year
Frequently Asked Questions: Friendly Nations Visa
What changed about the Friendly Nations Visa in 2021?
Before August 2021 under Executive Decree, the visa granted immediate permanent residency and had minimal
documentation requirements — even a simple company registration certificate was often sufficient. Under the current
rules (Executive Decree 226), the visa grants a 2-year provisional residency, and genuine proof of economic or
professional connection is required. A registered job contract, a $200,000 real estate purchase, or a 3-year
$200,000 bank CD is now mandatory. These changes were introduced to ensure applicants are genuinely integrating into
Panama’s economy.
Do I need to live in Panama full-time to maintain my Friendly Nations Visa?
No. There is no minimum annual presence requirement. You must visit Panama at least once every two years to maintain
your status. Many applicants obtain the visa while still living primarily in their home country and transition
gradually.
Can I apply for the Friendly Nations Visa on my own without an attorney?
No. Under Panamanian law, all visa applications must be filed through a licensed immigration attorney. Attempting to
file independently is not legally permitted.
How long is the Friendly Nations Visa valid?
The initial visa provides a 2-year provisional residency. After 2 years, you apply for permanent residency. Once
permanent residency is granted, you can apply for citizenship after 5 total years of legal residency in Panama.