Panama Friendly Nations visa: Cost, list & requirements

Panama Friendly Nations Visa is a unique program initiated by Panama’s government to boost immigration from certain ‘friendly nations’. This program focuses on attracting foreign investors, professionals, and workers from the designated countries, driving Panama’s economic growth and progress.

Applicants for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa initially receive a provisional residency valid for 2 years, which must be followed by a demonstration of continued compliance with the requirements to become eligible for permanent residency. This visa application covers a primary applicant and allows for the inclusion of optional dependents, including a spouse, parents, and children up to the age of 25.

Individuals from eligible countries can apply for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa, providing them with the opportunity to live and work in Panama. Among the necessary requirements are proof of economic solvency, a clean police record, and a proposed economic or professional ties with Panama.

All about friendly nations visa

Program Type	Friendly Nations Visa Panama
Time for citizenship	Up to 5 Years
Time to Permanent Residency	2 years
Minimal Investment	US$200,000
Requirement for Physical Presence	Not specified
Timeframe for Application Processing	1-2 Months
Visa-free Travel with Granted Citizenship	Yes, to 120+ countries
Investment Options	Real estate, business, etc.

Apply for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa

The visa application must be made once you have arrived in the Country. The first status you will get when applying for the friendly Nations visa will be temporary residence for 6 months.

Which is the time usually the migration authority takes to process your application and grant you provisional residence for 2 years.

Friendly Nations Visa Cost

As part of the investing program of Panama friendly nations visa, certain government fees are applicable. This includes:

• Bank-certified cheque of B/.250.00, earmarked for the National Treasury of Panama. 
• Certified Check for B/.800.00 in favor of the National Migration Service.

Disclaimer: Besides government fees, applicants must also consider mandatory legal and notary costs required by Panamanian authorities. Consult a legal advisor for a full cost assessment.

Panama friendly nations visa countries

The Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa extends its benefits to individuals from various countries that share strong, friendly ties with Panama. Below is the comprehensive list of these nations:

Germany	Australia	Greece	Malta	Portugal
Andorra	Costa Rica	Hong Kong	San Marino	United Kingdom
Argentina	Croatia	Hungary	Mexico	Czech Republic
Austria	Denmark	Ireland	Monaco	Serbia
Belgium	Slovakia	Israel	Montenegro	Singapore
Brazil	Spain	Japan	Norway	South Africa
Canada	USA	Latvia	New Zealand	Sweden
Chile	Estonia	Liechtenstein	Netherlands	Switzerland
Cyprus	Finland	Lithuania	Paraguay	Taiwan
South Korea	France	Luxembourg	Poland	Uruguay

friendly nations visa panama requirements

Under Panama Friendly Nations Visa program, the National Migration Service of Panama can offer a Provisional Residence Permit, valid for two years. This is available to individuals from certain nations with strong, beneficial relationships with Panama, who wish to undertake professional or economic activities in the country.

1. Notarized Power of Attorney and Application, which must include the name and nationality of the applicant’s parents.
2. Three (3) photographs.
3. A properly compared copy of the passport (notarized or corresponding authenticated).
4. Certificate of Criminal Records.
5. Health Certificate.
6. Certified Check for B/.250.00 in favor of the National Treasury.
7. Certified Check for B/.800.00 in favor of the National Migration Service.
8. Affidavit of Personal Background Form.

For work reasons:

1. Letter of Employment on company letterhead (notarized).
2. Panama Public Registration Certificate of the employing company.
3. Copy of the Notice of Operation of the Employing Company (Notarized).
4. Copy of the power of attorney and application for permission submitted to MITRADEL signed by the legal representative and applicant.

For reasons of investment in real estate:

1. Certificate of Public Registry of Panama proving property ownership with a minimum value of 200,000.00. The property acquisition operation may be financed through a local bank.

For reasons of fixed term deposit:

1. Certificate from a general license bank operating in the national territory stating the existence of the fixed term deposit for an amount of 200,000.00.

For dependents:

1. A Letter of responsibility from the resident or national.
2. Proof of relationship, marriage certificate for spouse, or birth certificate for children.
3. For applicants between 18 and 25 years of age: Certification from an educational institution providing full-time regular student status and a sworn declaration of being single.
4. Proof of the resident’s financial solvency.
   • Copy of the income tax return, with its peace and save and it must comply with the minimum income of one thousand balboas (B/.1,000.00) per month plus one hundred balboas (B/.100.00), additional for each dependent.
   • Updated work letter with its respective payroll or Social Security Fund card and copy of the work permit.

The Process / Timeline

If you go with the first one the steps will be 

2. Set up Company 
3. Register you to Social security of Panama 
4. Register the company to SS of Panama 
5. Open a Personal bank account and after Company Bank acc.

To set up a business in Panama, you need 3 people who are part of the company’s board of directors

In order to open a bank account at least 2 people in the directory need to be residents since banks are restricted for tourists , if you do not have this person you can contact us and we can help you.

You can obtain a driving license only when you get your first ID. You need to go to the Canadian embassy with this ID and get a driving license pack. 

The visa application must be made once you have arrived in the Country. The first status you will get when applying for the friendly Nations visa will be temporary residence for 6 months.

Which is the time usually the migration authority takes to process your application and grant you provisional residence for 2 years. 

From the moment that you have your documents ready and the company registered in the Public registry, we need 7 to 8 days to obtain your first ID .

For any inquiries please do not hesitate to communicate .

References

Constitution of the Republic of Panama, Executive Decree 226 of July 20, 2021, Decree Law 3 of February 22, 2008, regulated by Executive Decree 320 of August 8, 2008. Law 5 of 2007. Law 38 of 2000.

FAQs