What Is the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?
The Panama Friendly Nations Visa is an exclusive immigration program that allows citizens of 51 eligible countries to obtain provisional and permanent residency in the country through real estate, a certificate of deposit, or a job offer from a Panamanian company.
The application process entails demonstrating economic solvency, obtaining a police clearance certificate, and presenting a professional or economic activity you intend to pursue in Panama. The program is structured in two stages: an initial 2-year Provisional Residency (temporary status), followed by Permanent Residency (lifelong status) once the 2-year period is complete. At Kraemer & Kraemer, our experienced immigration team is ready to guide you through every step in your Panama Friendly Nations Visa process.
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Select the residency option that matches where you are in your journey:
Which Countries Qualify for the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?
Panama’s Friendly Nations list spans the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The list is set by executive decree and reviewed periodically, so eligibility can shift over time depending on your nationality. Citizens of these 51 countries currently qualify for the Friendly Countries Visa:
| 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 | Ecuador |
| 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 | Ecuador |
Why a Friendly Nations Visa?
- Faster Process: The Panama 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.
What are the Provisional Residency Requirements?
This immigration program first grants a provisional residency permit, for 2 years, before applying for and obtaining a permanent residency status. To qualify for provisional residency under the Panama Friendly Nations Visa, you need proof of one of three economic ties to Panama:
- a. Real estate worth at least $200,000
- b. A certificate of deposit of at least $200,000, held for a minimum 3-year term
- c. A signed employment contract with a Panamanian company
Alongside proof of your qualifying route, provisional residency requires:
- Valid passport and a secondary form of ID
- 5 passport-size photos
- Criminal background check
- Health certificate, issued within 90 days of filing
- Certified check of $250 USD made payable to the National Treasury.
- Certified check of $800 USD made payable to the National Migration Service.
Initial resolution for provisional residency typically takes about 6 months. Once approved, this status is valid for 2 years, during which your qualifying economic tie must remain in place.
What are the Permanent Residency Requirements?
The requirements to obtain permanent residency under the Panama Friendly Nations Visa are as follow:
- Submission of your provisional residency and up-to-date versions of your original documents, excluding the criminal record certificate
- Applicant must have hold the provisional residency for at least 2 years.
Permanent status approval typically takes an additional 6 months, bringing the realistic timeline from your first filing to permanent status to about 2 years and 6 months total.
How is the Application Process?
Kraemer & Kraemer manages your Panama Friendly Nations Visa application from your first document to your permanent residency card, across these stages:
- Document Review: We confirm your qualifying route and gather the required documentation before filing.
- Provisional Filing: We submit your provisional residency application. Initial resolution typically takes about 6 months.
- Provisional Period: You hold provisional residency for 2 years, during which your economic tie to Panama (real estate, deposit, or employment) must remain in place.
- Permanent Filing: Once your provisional period ends, we file for permanent residency with updated documentation. This stage typically takes an additional 6 months.
What are the Panama Friendly Nations Visa Benefits?
- Permanent residency after 2 or 3 years.
- A relatively fast first resolution, typically around 6 months.
- Work permit eligibility once you hold your residency.
- Dependents included in the same application.
- Eligibility for citizenship by naturalization after 5 years as a permanent resident.
What are the Associated Costs and Fees?
The Panama Friendly Nations Visa carries government charges at each stage of the process, paid directly to Panama’s National Treasury and National Immigration Service. These amounts are separate from any legal fees and from the real estate, certificate of deposit, or employment route you use to qualify, so they apply regardless of which pathway you take. These are the main government fees. Other fees not listed here, such as the Carné de Trámite, notarizations in Panama and registration fees, among others, may apply.
Provisional Residency
Permanent Residency
Add to Order and Start your Process Now
At Kraemer & Kraemer, we offer an online platform to start your Panama Friendly Nations Visa process in a few simple steps. Select your residency stage and the number of dependents, and pay securely via credit card, bank transfer, or Bitcoin. Just review the fee breakdown and click “Add to Order” to get started. Our team of experts will contact you as soon as possible.
(Provisional Residency)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1300
Total:$3200
(Permanent Residency)
Main Applicant Included.
Select Dependents:
To Pay Now:$1200
Total:$2300
Friendly Nations Visa Packages
Given the previous Panama Friendly Nations Visa changes the options to apply for this program require more attention and organization to meet 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:$3450
Total:$6600
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:$2000
Total:$3900
