Panama Friendly Nations Visa
A residence route reserved for nationals of over 50 countries with close ties to Panama, on a fixed-term bank deposit or qualifying real estate purchase.
Panama Friendly Nations Visa Overview
Panama's Friendly Nations Visa is a residence programme established under Executive Decree 226 of 20 July 2021, replacing the earlier Decree 416 of 2012. It is reserved specifically for citizens of more than 50 nations that maintain close diplomatic and economic relations with Panama — including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, and most EU member states, among others.
Unlike Panama's Qualified Investor Visa, which grants immediate permanent residence, the Friendly Nations Visa follows a defined two-year path from temporary to permanent residency, and can also be qualified for through employment rather than investment alone.
Benefits of Panama Friendly Nations Visa
- Available through a bank deposit or real estate investment — genuine, retained assets rather than a non-refundable contribution
- Reserved for nationals of a defined list of 50+ Friendly Nations, giving qualifying applicants a route with less discretionary uncertainty than an open-to-all programme
- A defined two-year path from temporary to permanent residency, rather than an indefinite or ad hoc timeline
- Panama's territorial tax system does not tax foreign-source income for residents
- A genuine alternative employment-based qualifying route exists for applicants who prefer not to invest via deposit or property
Requirements
The main applicant must be a national of one of Panama's designated Friendly Nations and qualify through one of three routes:
1. Fixed-Term Bank Deposit (Indohill's tracked route)
A minimum of $200,000 placed in a fixed-term deposit with a Panamanian general-license bank, held for at least 3 years, as required under Executive Decree 226/2021.
2. Real Estate Investment
Purchase of real estate in Panama valued at a minimum of $200,000, registered in the applicant's personal name or a Panamanian foundation.
3. Employment Route (Non-Investment Alternative)
A valid employment contract with a Panamanian company, together with a work permit issued by Panama's Ministry of Labor, evidencing a genuine, documented employment relationship — an alternative path for applicants who prefer not to qualify via deposit or property.
Procedure
The applicant confirms Friendly Nations eligibility by nationality, then completes the chosen qualifying route (bank deposit, real estate purchase, or employment contract), and submits an application together with proof of economic solvency and a police clearance certificate. Approval grants temporary residence, which converts to permanent residence after the defined two-year period, provided the underlying qualifying condition (deposit, property, or employment) remains in place throughout.
Fees & Costs
Beyond the $200,000 qualifying deposit or property investment, applicants pay Panamanian government processing fees per applicant and dependant, plus separate legal and due-diligence advisory fees. Indohill discloses the full statutory and legal fee breakdown for this programme, and every other programme we track, in the Global Matrix Marketplace fee breakdown tool before you commit to a specific route.
Eligibility Depends on Nationality, Not Just Investment
Unlike most programmes on Indohill's Global Matrix, the Friendly Nations Visa is only available to citizens of Panama's specific Friendly Nations list — meeting the investment threshold alone does not qualify an applicant whose nationality is not on that list. Indohill confirms nationality eligibility before any client proceeds toward a specific qualifying route.
Background & Legal Considerations
The Panama Friendly Nations Visa is established under Executive Decree 226 of 20 July 2021, which replaced the original Decree 416 of 2012 and sets out the three approved qualifying routes — employment, real estate investment, and bank deposit — along with the designated list of eligible nationalities.
Why Indohill Advises This Program
- A private, advisor-reviewed intake — every application is scoped by a person, with Friendly Nations nationality eligibility confirmed before any specific route is recommended
- Coordination with pre-vetted Panamanian banks, real estate brokers, and immigration counsel, reviewed against Indohill's Certified Partner Network standards before any introduction is made
- Full statutory and legal fee disclosure through the Global Matrix Marketplace, across all three qualifying routes, before you commit
- The same 5-phase advisory methodology Indohill applies across every program, from initial audit through lifelong governance and renewal support
Panama Friendly Nations Visa FAQ
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