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About the Panama Friendly Nations Visa
**Please note the Panama Friendly Nations Visa progam 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 |
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
Provisional Residency QuoteProvisional Residency Requirements
The requirements to obtain Provisional Residency are as follow:
- Valid passport for at least 6 months from application date.
- Valid 2nd ID for at least 6 months from application date.
- 5 passport size photos (2inch x 2inch).
- National criminal background certificate, recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months.
- Economic Solvency: please choose one of the following
- Option 1: Employment offer, the applicant must present a Job offer from a Panamanian Company, including the company Certificate of Public Registry and the Business License. Applicants are required to submit a work permit application at the start of the provisional residency application and once the work permit is awarded, this takes 6-9 months, then you will be able to start working.
- Option 2: Purchase real estate with a minimum value of USD 200,000. Applicants can finance the acquisition of the real estate through a Panamanian Bank.
- Option 3: Invest at least USD 200,000 in a fixed deposit for 3 years at a Panamanian bank.
- Health certificate issued by a local doctor within the last 90 days prior to submitting the application.
- Power of Attorney.
- 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.
- Sworn declaration (available in our website’s Resources)
Including Dependents
If the applicant wants to include dependents, they must present a Panamanian Bank reference letter showing a local bank account with a minimum balance of USD 5000.
To include his/her spouse, Marriage certificate and National criminal background certificate – recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months must be presented.
To include children under 18 years old, Birth certificate showing both parents names – recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in your country* – valid for 6 months.
To include children under 25 years old:
- National criminal background certificate recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months.
- Birth certificate showing both parents names – recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months.
- Certificate of singleness (or apostilled affidavit signed at a notary) recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months.
- Proof of full-time studies in university/college recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months.
- List of academic credits, recently issued, apostilled/ authenticated by a Panamanian Consulate in the issuing country – valid for 6 months.
Order Now
(Provisional Residency)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1300
Total:$3200
Order Now
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.
Permanent Residency QuotePermanent Residency Requirements
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.
Order Now
(Permanent Residency)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1100
Total:$2300
Order Now
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1100
Total:$2300
Fees Breakdown
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 today if you intend to apply for permanent residency in Panama with the Friendly Nations Visa Program.
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