PANAMA FRIENDLY NATIONS VISA
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Overview
Discover the unique opportunities offered by Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa. This exclusive immigration program is designed for citizens of selected countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relationships with Panama. With this visa, you have the chance to obtain permanent residency in Panama, contributing to the country’s economic development and growth. Whether you aspire to invest in businesses, practice your profession, or explore new job opportunities, Panama provides the opportunity to realize your goals.
The application process for the Friendly Nations Visa entails demonstrating economic solvency, obtaining a police clearance certificate, and presenting a professional or economic activity you intend to pursue in Panama. Furthermore, the Panamanian government has recently implemented changes to the residency program, granting a two-year temporary residency permit followed by the potential to obtain permanent residency.
**Please note, the Panama Friendly Nations Visa program has changed as of August 7, 2021. This page has been updated to reflect the new program requirements and process.**
By Executive Decree 343 of May 16, 2012, the migratory subcategory of Permanent Residency for Friendly Nations was created, by virtue of which citizens of specific countries, with economic or professional ties with Panama, may apply for residency.
This decree was modified by Executive Decree 197 of May 7, 2021, and also by Executive Decree 226 of July 20, 2021.
| Andorra | Argentina | Australia |
| Austria | Belgium | Brazil |
| Canada | Chile | Costa Rica |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Estonia | Finland |
| France | Germany | Great Britain |
| Greece | Hong Kong | Hungary |
| Ireland | Israel | Japan |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania |
| Luxemburg | Malta | Monaco |
| Montenegro | Netherlands | New Zealand |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal |
| San Marino | Serbia | Singapore |
| Slovakia | South Africa | South Korea |
| Spain | Sweden | Switzerland |
| United States of America | Uruguay | Peru |
| Mexico | Paraguay |
| Andorra | Argentina | Australia | Austria |
| Belgium | Brazil | Canada | Chile |
| Costa Rica | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Great Britain | Greece | Hong Kong |
| Hungary | Ireland | Israel | Japan |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxemburg |
| Malta | Monaco | Montenegro | Netherlands |
| New Zealand | Norway | Poland | Portugal |
| San Marino | Serbia | Singapore | Slovakia |
| South Africa | South Korea | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | United States of America | Uruguay | Peru |
| Mexico | Paraguay |
What are the benefits of this visa?
When holding a Friendly Nations Visa, you can enjoy a range of benefits and privileges that enhance your experience in Panama. These include:
- A quick and streamlined application process, allowing for efficient acquisition of a second residency.
- Potential eligibility for Panamanian citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency.
- Diverse Investment Opportunities
- Allows you to obtain Permanent Residency
- Allows you to obtain a work permit to work in Panama.
- Inclusion of Dependents, even if they have passports from countries not included in the visa.
If you are considering getting a Friendly Nations Visa or moving to Panama, We encourage you to visit our page Why Panama for more information. The website has a wealth of information about the benefits of living in Panama, as well as tips on how to make the most of your time there.
Why a Friendly Nations Visa?
Faster Process: The Friendly Nations Visa generally offers a quicker application and approval process compared to other visas. This is especially valuable for those looking to establish themselves or invest in Panama without significant delays.
Attraction of Investors and Skilled Professionals: Panama aims to attract individuals with financial resources and skills that can contribute to the country’s economic and social development. If you are an investor, entrepreneur, or skilled professional, this visa may be tailor-made for you.
General process and timeframe
The process begins with filing the initial application with the immigration office for a temporary residency permit. It usually takes 6 months (sometimes less) to resolve the initial application and then issue a provisional residency permit.
Once the provisional residency permit is issued, it is valid for 2 years, during which the applicant must maintain the requirements mentioned below.
After two years, the holder may apply for permanent residency. This may also take 6 months (sometimes less). Once the application is approved, the provisional residency permit is replaced by a permanent residency permit.
Provisional residency
This immigration program first grants a provisional residency permit, for 2 years, before applying for and obtaining a permanent residency permit. In general, it takes three years to obtain permanent residency.
The requirements to obtain Provisional Residency are as follow:
- Five passport size photos.
- Passport and second id, such as driver’s license or state ID.
- In terms of economic capacity, one of the following:
- Employment contract in Panama: requires an employment contract between the applicant and a Panamanian company.
- Real Estate Ownership: Requires the applicant to own a Panamanian property with a registered value of at least USD $200,000, which can be financed with a local institution.
- Certificate of Deposit: Deposit of at least USD $200,000 in a national bank in Panama. This must include title, value, term, and must be free of encumbrances with a minimum validity of 3 years.
- Clean criminal background check from the country of citizenship, or country of residence for the last two years (in this case proof of residence permit is required). The criminal check must be national, so for the U.S. for example, it must be from the FBI.
- USD $800.00 per certified check issued to the National Immigration Service for the repatriation fee.
- USD $250.00 per certified check issued to the National Treasury for the application fee.
- Health certificate issued by a local doctor within the last 90 days prior to submitting the application.
- Sworn declaration (available in our website’s Resources)
(Provisional Residency)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1300
Total:$3200
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1300
Total:$3200
Fees Breakdown
Permanent residency
To obtain permanent residency, the applicant must have hold the provisional residency for at least 2 years. The application for permanent residency requires the same documents used to obtain provisional residency, which must be up to date. On top of that, the applicant must also submit his provisional residency.
The requirements to obtain Permanent Residency are as follow:
- Submission of your provisional residency.
- Applicant must have hold the provisional residency for at least 2 years.
(Permanent Residency)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1100
Total:$2300
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1100
Total:$2300
Fees Breakdown
Friendly nations visa packages
Given the previous changes made to the visa, the options to apply to this program require more attention and organization to fulfill the eligibility requirements.
The Kraemer & Kraemer team has put together two different packages that applicants can choose to qualify and apply to this immigration program. These options only include provisional residency, since applicants must wait two years before applying for permanent residency.
What’s included?
- Cost of provisional residency for all applicants of the Friendly Nations Visa
- Cost of Legal Assistance for Property under $2,000
Additionally, the cost of Notary, Public Registry, and Transfer Tax is not included yet. The Kraemer & Kraemer team will notify you of the amount due when the application is already in progress.
Add to your order
Package (Real Estate)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$2300
Total:$5200
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$2300
Total:$5200
Fees Breakdown
What’s included?
- Cost of provisional residency for all applicants of the Friendly Nations Visa
- Cost of Bank Account Opening Assistance (Remote) and Certified Deposit (only with selected banking institutions)
Add to your order
Package (Certificate of Deposit)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1900
Total:$3800
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1900
Total:$3800
Fees Breakdown
Other important details
Including dependents
If the applicant wants to include his/her spouse, a marriage certificate (valid for 6 months only) and all the requirements listed above must be presented.
Likewise, if the application includes dependent children, you must include the birth certificate for each of them.
Important remarks
All documents originating abroad must be apostilled (at the Secretary of State) or authenticated at the Panamanian Consulate in your country.
If you have further questions, please check our Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact us
Contact us today if you intend to apply for permanent residency in Panama with the Friendly Nations Visa Program.