Panama Friendly Nations Visa:
Residency, privacy, and financial security in Latin America
Panama residency offers globally mobile investors one of the most efficient, cost-effective, and discreet residency options in the Western Hemisphere. Through the Friendly Nations Investor Visa, qualified applicants obtain an immediate two-year residency with a clear pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. For those seeking asset protection, geographic diversification, and multigenerational security, Panama delivers residency with unmatched simplicity and long-term advantages.
Located at the crossroads of the Americas, Panama combines a pro-business environment, territorial tax system, political stability, and world-class infrastructure, making it a strategic jurisdiction for both personal residency and international wealth structuring.
Investment options: secure Panama residency through qualifying investments
The Friendly Nations Investor Visa offers two qualifying investment options to obtain Panama residency
Both options allow financing, and investments may be held individually or through a qualifying corporate structure. No minimum equity contribution is required.
USD 200,000
in Panamanian real estate.
USD 200,000 fixed-term deposit
placed with a Panamanian bank for a minimum period of three years.
Who can
be included?
Panama residency through the Friendly Nations Investor Visa allows full family inclusion:
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Spouse or legal partner.
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Children under the age of 25.
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Dependent parents.
Applicants with dependents must maintain a local bank account reflecting a minimum balance of USD 5,000 to support the application. Each dependent is subject to a government fee of USD 2,000.
Key advantages:
why Panama residency?
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Initial two-year residency, convertible to permanent residency after renewal.
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Citizenship eligibility after five years of permanent residency.
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Highly favorable territorial tax regime: no tax on foreign income.
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No wealth, estate, or gift taxes.
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Strategically positioned for global business in the Americas.
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Pro-business legal and financial framework with robust banking infrastructure.
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Political stability, safe environment, and consistently growing economy.
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Direct access to a secondary passport option after full naturalization.
What about taxes?
Panama residency offers one of the most favorable tax regimes for global investors:
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Only Panama-source income is subject to taxation.
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Foreign income remains fully exempt for both individuals and corporations.
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Individuals pay progressive income tax up to 15 percent, with no tax on the first USD 11,000.
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Corporations with Panama-source income are taxed at 25 percent; dividends taxed at 10 percent.
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Foreign-source corporate income is exempt if no Panama business license is required.
With careful structuring, Panama residency allows international investors to legally separate global wealth from tax exposure, while maintaining full compliance under Panama’s territorial tax system.
How does it work?
1
Initial onboarding and engagement. Full due diligence, documentation review, and client agreement.
2
Application preparation. Complete legal file assembled and pre-cleared for submission.
3
Initial government processing. Due diligence conducted over approximately six months.
4
In-country appointment. Visit Panama for 8 days to open a bank account, provide biometrics, and attend required appointments.
5
Residency granted. Initial two-year residency permit issued upon approval.
6
Permanent residency conversion. After two years, submit renewal to obtain permanent residency.
Can it lead to citizenship?
Yes. After holding permanent residency for five years, applicants may apply for Panamanian citizenship. Naturalization requires:
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Continuous residency.
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Demonstrated integration into Panamanian society.
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Clean criminal record and good standing.
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Sufficient Spanish language proficiency.
Successful applicants obtain a Panamanian passport, granting visa-free access to over 140 countries.
Take control of your future
Panama residency through the Friendly Nations Investor Visa provides global investors with an efficient, discreet, and highly flexible second residency option. With minimal physical presence requirements, favorable tax treatment, and a straightforward citizenship pathway, Panama offers a strategic residency foundation for wealth preservation, global mobility, and long-term family security.
Request a private consultation to explore how Panama residency can support your global strategy.
