Investor Visa in Panama
Panama may be a relevant jurisdiction for certain investment profiles, provided that the operation is reviewed from a legal, immigration, tax and documentary perspective. Foreign nationals may access certain residence options linked to investment, provided that they meet the requirements established by the applicable regulations.
An investment linked to residency should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, considering the source of funds, type of investment, available documentation, immigration requirements and review by the competent authorities.
The Investor Residence Permit may be assessed for foreign nationals who make investments admitted by Panamanian immigration regulations, such as real estate, fixed-term deposits or other applicable modalities. The application will be subject to verifiable documentation, administrative review and approval by the immigration authority.
Types of Residence Permits for Investors
Permanent resident permit on the basis of financial solvency due to opening a fixed-term deposit account
This modality may be assessed for foreign nationals who prove an investment through a fixed-term deposit for the amount required by the applicable regulations, provided that they can justify the source of funds and submit the required documentation.
This Permit will be valid for two (2) years, after which the applicant may opt for Permanent Residence. To include dependents, an additional investment of B/.2,000.00 per dependent must be made, which can be justified by a local bank reference.
Permanent resident permit on the basis of financial solvency through investment
in real estate
This modality may be assessed for foreign nationals who make a real estate investment for the amount required by the applicable regulations, provided that the transaction is properly documented, the funds are justified and the property meets the corresponding registry and immigration requirements.
This Permit will be valid for two (2) years, after which the applicant may opt for Permanent Residence. To include dependents, an additional investment of B/.2,000.00 per dependent must be made, which can be justified by a local bank reference.
Permanent resident permit on the basis of financial solvency through mixed investment —fixed-term deposit or real estate
A mixed investment may be assessed when the foreign national combines real estate, a fixed-term deposit or other modalities admitted by the applicable regulations, provided that the required amounts are met, the source of funds is documented and the application is reviewed by the immigration authority.
This Permit will be valid for two (2) years, after which the applicant may opt for Permanent Residence. To include dependents, an additional investment of B/.2,000.00 per dependent must be made, which can be justified by a local bank reference.
Residence permit under the Investor category or visa for Investors who are citizens of friendly countries
Citizens of countries included under the Friendly Nations category may have access to specific modalities linked to investment, provided that they meet the applicable economic, documentary and immigration requirements.
In this regard, the law establishes the following: “The National Immigration Service may grant a Provisional Residence Permit for a period of two (2) years to those persons who apply for the Permanent Resident subcategory, as foreign nationals from specific countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relations with the Republic of Panama.” The law contemplates the following reasons related to investment:
For reasons of investment in real estate. In this case, nationals or citizens of a Friendly Country may apply for a Provisional Residence Permit as long as they have a Certificate of Public Registration from Panama attesting that they own real estate (i.e., that it is in the personal name of the visa applicant) with a minimum value of B/.200,000.00 or the equivalent in US dollars (USD), which can be financed by a local bank. The applicable amounts and conditions may vary according to the nationality of the applicant, the chosen modality, the type of investment and the immigration regulations in force at the time of filing the application.
For reasons of Fixed Term Deposits.In certain cases, the fixed-term deposit modality may require a certificate issued by a bank with a general license in Panama, indicating ownership, value, term, validity and absence of encumbrances, according to the requirements established by the applicable regulations. It is important to note that this investment in Panama may be made on a personal basis by the applicant, by a legal entity in which the applicant is the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares, contributions, or membership fees of the company, or by the founder or ultimate beneficiary of a private interest foundation.
FAQs Residency for Investors
Cost of applying for a residence permit as an investor
The price for applying for a Residence Permit as an investor consists of the following expenses: (notary fees, registration fees, stamps, transaction fees, transportation, certificates, proof of kinship, SNM registration, etc., including processing card, residence card, and multiple-entry visa) and legal fees.
There are different types of investment visas:
Real Estate Investor
The total cost is US$1,733.00. The price breakdown is as follows:
Expenses:
The total cost of expenses for an applicant without dependents is US$383.00. Breakdown below:
Expenses National Immigration Service fees: US$323.00 (three hundred and twenty-three US dollars).
Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).
Legal fees:
The total cost of legal fees for applicants without dependents is US$1,350.00 (one thousand three hundred and fifty US dollars).
The total cost does not include the following payments:
Check payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant and each dependent: US$250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).
Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant and dependent: US$800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).
Macro Enterprise Investor
The total cost is US$1,733.00. The breakdown of the price is as follows:
Expenses:
Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).
Legal fees:
The total cost of legal fees for applicants without dependents is US$1,350.00 (one thousand three hundred and fifty US dollars).
The total cost does not include the payment of:
Check payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant and dependent: US$ 250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).
Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant and dependent: US$ 800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).
Macro Enterprise Investor
The total cost is US$1,733.00. The breakdown of the price is as follows:
Expenses:
Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).
Legal fees:
The total cost of legal fees for applicants without dependents is US$1,350.00 (one thousand three hundred and fifty US dollars).
The total cost does not include the payment of:
Check payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant and dependent: US$ 250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).
Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant and dependent: US$ 800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).
Mixed investment
The total cost is US$1,733.00. The breakdown of the price is as follows:
Expenses:
Transaction fees: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).
Legal fees:
The total cost of legal fees for applicants without dependents is US$1,350.00 (one thousand three hundred and fifty US dollars).
The total cost does not include the payment of:
Check payable to the National Treasury directly by the applicant and dependent: US$ 250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).
Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant and dependent: US$ 800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).
Investment for opening a fixed-term deposit account
The total cost is US$1,703.00. The breakdown of the price is as follows:
Expenses:
The total cost of expenses for applicants without dependents is US$353.00. Breakdown below:
National Immigration Service expenses: US$293.00 (two hundred ninety-three US dollars).
Transaction expenses: US$60.00 (sixty US dollars).
Legal fees: US$1,350.00 (one thousand three hundred and fifty US dollars).
The total cost of legal fees for applicants without dependents is US$1,350.00 (one thousand three hundred and fifty US dollars).
The total cost does not include the payment of:
Check payable to the National Treasury directly per applicant and dependent: US$250.00 (two hundred and fifty US dollars).
Check payable to the National Immigration Service per applicant and dependent: US$800.00 (eight hundred US dollars).
Requirements for applying for a residence permit as an investor or investor visa
The requirements to apply for an investor visa in Panama are as follows:
Power of attorney and application (notarized and with the respective tax stamps)
Four (4) passport-size photographs of the applicant
Duly certified copy of the applicant's passport.
Apostilled criminal record certificate of the applicant.
Health certificate issued by a qualified physician in the Republic of Panama.
Certified check for US$250.00 payable to the National Treasury; (the client can provide this or we can arrange it – check certification cost US$10.70) – This check must be provided by the account holder.
Certified check for B/.800.00 payable to the National Immigration Service. (The client can provide this or we can arrange it – check certification cost US$10.70) – This check must be provided by the holder.
Affidavit of Personal Background form. Must be completed and signed by the applicant.
Documents to be provided depending on the type of investment:
In the case of investment in real estate, you must provide:
Certification from the Public Registry proving ownership of the real estate, in the applicant's name, with a minimum value of B/. 300,000.00. The certification must indicate that the property is free of encumbrances.
In the case of opening a fixed-term deposit, you must provide:
Bank certification that a fixed-term deposit account has been opened in the applicant's name, for the amount of B/.300,000.00 or its equivalent in foreign currency, with a minimum term of three (3) years, at any bank with a general license in the national territory. This fixed-term deposit must be free of encumbrances.
Copy of the fixed-term certificate authenticated by the bank.
10. Two (2) letters of responsibility.
11. In the case of dependents:
Letter of responsibility.
Proof of kinship.
Proof of address.
Those over 18 years of age must present a certificate of single status and certified studies.
How to apply for an investor visa in Panama?
To apply for an investor visa in Panama, the application must be submitted by a lawyer to the National Immigration Service of Panama (SNM). Along with the application, the lawyer must attach all the documentation required by the regulations, including checks to the National Treasury and the SNM.
How much do you need to invest in Panama to obtain residency?
The amount of money required to obtain residency in Panama through investment depends on several factors. Among these, we can mention the following:
If the foreigner is a national of a Friendly Country, the law establishes that the applicant may request Provisional Residency for the following reasons:
For reasons of investment in real estate. The interested party must submit a certificate from the Public Registry of Panama to prove that they own real estate in their name or in the name of a company of which they are the ultimate beneficiary, provided that said real estate has a minimum value of US$200,000.00.
For reasons of fixed-term deposits. The interested party must submit a certificate from a general license bank operating in the national territory stating the existence of the fixed-term deposit of which they are the holder, with a minimum term of three years and a value of not less than US$ 200,000.00.
If the foreigner constitutes a macro enterprise, the regulations establish the following:
"Foreigners who wish to invest in a company, whose minimum share capital is B/. 160,000.00 per applicant, being shareholders and officers of the same company. This permit will be valid for two (2) years, after which the applicant may opt for permanent residence. To include dependents, an additional investment of B/. 2,000.00 per dependent must be made, which can be justified by local bank reference."
If the foreigner does not hold any nationality within the so-called Friendly Nations, they may make an investment of US$300,000.00. The regulation states:
"Foreigners who invest a minimum of B/. 300,000.00 in real estate and can prove that the funds come from abroad. This permit will be valid for two (2) years, after which the applicant may opt for permanent residence.
To include dependents, an additional investment of B/. 2,000.00 per dependent must be made, which can be justified by local bank reference."
What is required to invest in Panama?
To invest in Panama, it is advisable to carry out a prior legal, registry, tax and documentary review. In real estate transactions, in addition to a valid passport, documents relating to source of funds, title review, registry verification, contractual analysis and banking or immigration requirements may be necessary depending on the case.
How to invest in Panama as a foreigner?
To invest in Panama as a foreigner, it is advisable to have professional support to review the transaction, documentation, contract, property registry and possible legal, tax, banking or immigration effects.
Panama Legal Lab accompanies the documentary and legal review of transactions linked to investment, without acting as a financial institution or guaranteeing immigration approval, banking approval or specific results.
In addition, as this process involves a series of legal procedures, we provide you with support services for reviewing purchase agreements and the corresponding property registration in the National Public Registry.