Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Overview
The Qualified Investor Visa is a permanent residence visa for economic reasons currently governed by Executive Decree No. 17 of 2026, which supersedes Decree 722 of 2020. Through this program, the applicant can become a permanent resident by making a qualified investment in Panama, including the following options:
- First-sale real estate: A minimum investment of US$300,000 in a new, unoccupied property. It must remain free of liens affecting that amount for a term of 5 years.
- Secondary-market real estate: A minimum investment of US$500,000 in a used property. It must remain free of liens that would lower the computable value, for a term of 5 years.
- Pre-sale projects (purchase promise): A sale contract for a minimum value of US$300,000. This can go through a bank trust or a 100% payment to the developer. For direct payment to the developer, an irrevocable bank-backing instrument becomes mandatory (a standby letter of credit, a bond, or a performance guarantee). Immigration status under this route caps at a maximum of 3 years.
- Panamanian securities market: A minimum investment of US$500,000 through a brokerage house authorized in Panama, which must remain uninterrupted for a period of 5 years.
- Fixed-term deposit: Setting up a lien-free deposit for a term of 5 years. The minimum amount comes to US$750,000 at a general-license bank, or US$500,000 if placed with Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros.
Note:
If you made your investment or started your filing before Decree No. 17 of September 16, 2026 took effect, you can qualify under the prior regime as long as you submit your application within the following 6 months. At Kraemer & Kraemer, we assess your case and let you know which route and which regime applies to your situation. Contact us today.
Qualified Investor Visa Benefits
- Receive immediate permanent residency upon initial approval.
- You can apply for your Panamanian identity document for permanent residents, known as the E Cédula or foreigner ID card.
- You can include dependents such as your spouse and minor children or students.
- You will have the option to apply for Panama citizenship after five years of effective residence.
- You have access to a passport or special travel document for qualified investors, which improves international mobility and immigration status. This also applies to dependents and does not grant citizenship.
Process requirements
- Apostilled or authenticated complete passport copy.
- Apostilled or authenticated National Criminal Background Check- valid for 6 months.
- Five (5) passport-size photos.
- Payment of USD $5,000 to the National Immigration Service.
- Payment of USD $5,000 to the National Treasury.
- For each dependent included in the application, US $1,000 must go to the National Treasury and US $1,000 to the National Immigration Service.
- Certificate of good health.
- Declaration of personal backgrounds.
- Foreign or Local Bank Certification certifying the funds received or sent, respectively. If the letter is coming from abroad, it has to be authenticated or apostilled.
- Bank statements from the foreign bank, duly legalized, or a local bank, with authentication stamps from the issuing bank, to certify the transaction with the funds sent.
- Notarized letter, issued by the recipient of the funds, or bank certification (original) that confirms the deposit or reception of the transfer, in accordance with any of the investment options described in the law.
- If the application includes dependents:
- Letter of accountability for these dependents.
- Proof of ties between the applicant and each dependent.
- Proof of address – applicant and dependent must live in the same address.
- If the dependent is 18 years old or more, single status and student status certificate.
Process timeframe
The process runs through the National Immigration Service via a single window, with set deadlines: up to 15 business days for the Investment Certification and up to 30 business days for the immigration decision. This application can be submitted by a Panama Immigration lawyer using an authenticated or apostilled special power of attorney to represent the investor. Once the application is reviewed, the applicant will be considered a permanent resident, but it must be proven annually (in the same period every year) that the investment is still valid.
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Main Applicant Included.
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Total:$16000
FAQs about Panama Qualified Investor Visa
A: It is an immediate permanent residence obtained through investment in Panama, regulated by Executive Decree No. 17 of 2026 (which supersedes Decree 722). The main routes are:
- First-sale real estate for US$300,000, or secondary-market real estate for US$500,000 (lien-free), with a commitment to hold it for 5 years.
- Pre-sale purchase (purchase promise) for US$300,000, with a bank guarantee if payment goes 100% to the developer
- Investment in Panamanian stock market securities for US$500,000, for 5 years.
- Fixed-term deposit for US$750,000 (private banking) or US$500,000 (Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros).
A: Any foreigner over 18 years old can apply who:
- Certifies the legal origin of the funds (they must come from abroad).
- Meets the minimum investment according to the chosen modality.
- Presents a criminal record certificate and good health.
- Has legal counsel in Panama to manage the process.
A:
- Immediate permanent residence after approval (approximately 30 days, with express process).
- No demanding physical obligation: it is enough to travel once every two years to maintain residence.
- Right to work or start a business freely in the country, as it is a permanent residence visa.
- Tax benefits: Panama uses a territorial system, it does not tax income generated outside the country.
- Asset diversification, option to generate passive income through real estate, securities, or deposits.
- Access to local services, such as health, education, opening accounts, etc.
- Opportunity for naturalization after five years of permanent residence.
A: There is no direct route to “citizenship by investment”, but after 5 years of permanent residence, you can apply for naturalization. General naturalization requirements, like continuous residence and, eventually, passing interviews, demonstrating knowledge of Spanish, history, and geography, and also good conduct.
A: Yes, through Law 493 of 2025, qualified investors may apply for a special travel document with their permanent residence. This allows for international mobility and is also issued to dependents included in the same permit. It should be clarified that this passport does not grant citizenship as a Panamanian and does not replace the applicants’ original passport. Its function is to serve as an additional travel document and as proof of immigration status in this program.
Contact us
If you are interested in this residency program, please Contact Us. Our team will be glad to assist you through the process.