Editor’s note: Changes have been made to the Panama Friendly Nations Visa, applicable as of August 2021.
Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa was introduced by the government in May 2012. The purpose of the visa is to attract greater immigration and foreign business to Panama. Presidential Decree 343 declared citizens of 22 ‘friendly nations’ eligible for a fast-tracked application process for permanent residency.
Since 2012, additional Decrees declared another 28 countries eligible to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa.
This streamlined entrance process for migrants to Panama makes the country an accessible, low-cost option for foreign investors looking to start a business in the region.
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What is Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa?
Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa is one of the most attractive methods available for people to obtain permanent residence in Panama. This is because it has an easy application process and minimal requirements for investors setting up their business locally.
Citizens of specified countries, who have professional or economic ties with the Panamanian government, are eligible to apply. With this visa, people have the right to obtain Panamanian identification (cédula) and request a work permit indefinitely.
The Friendly Nations Visa also offers applications for one main applicant and optional dependents (spouses, children). Each application type has specific requirements.
Set up a business in Panama with the Friendly Nations Visa
Panama is unique in that you can register a business in around two weeks. You also don’t have to physically be in the country during or after the incorporation process.
The incorporation process from beginning to end can take around two months. With the right legal assistance and sufficient funds, setting up a business is straightforward. You’ll need a president, secretary, and treasurer to get started, and a General Power of Attorney to control your business. Finally, your company will need to open a corporate bank account.
Only a few preliminary steps in starting a company are required, along with a visa. Thanks to Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa, this process has been made easier for citizens of 50 countries worldwide.
With a Friendly Nations Visa, you can obtain a social security card and work permit. Your spouse and dependents (including children aged 18-21 if they are students or disabled) can get the same. After five years with the visa, you can apply for Panamanian citizenship.
See Also: Forming Business in Panama
Am I eligible for the Friendly Nations Visa?
Residents and citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States of America, Uruguay and United Kingdom.
Additionally, you need to have professional or economic ties to Panama. This can be in the form of a board membership or major shareholder of a local corporation.
Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa requirements
Application requirements differ for the main applicant and dependents. The crucial element of obtaining the visa is being able to prove your professional or economic ties to Panama. Registering or incorporating a business are both easy ways to achieve this, with the right local legal support to guide you.
Requirements for the main applicant
Main applicants must provide:
- Power of attorney
- Original passport valid for at least six months
- Five passport-sized photographs
- Second form of identification, e.g. identity card or citizenship certificate
- Certified check for USD$250 from a local bank made to the National Treasury
- Certified check for USD$800 from a local bank made to the National Immigration Service
- Criminal background check from your country of origin, less than 6 months old (Note: this document must be authenticated at the Panamanian Consulate in your country of origin, or apostilled in your country of origin)
- Medical certificate of good health issued in Panama by a qualified doctor
- Documents demonstrating professional or economic ties with Panama
- Proof of economic solvency via a bank reference letter, showing a balance of at least USD$5,000 in a Panamanian bank.
Requirements for a dependent spouse of the main applicant
Dependent spouses of the main application must provide:
- Original passport valid for at least six months
- Five passport-size photographs
- Certified check for USD$250 from a local bank made to the National Treasury
- Certified check for USD$800 from a local bank made to the National Immigration Service
- Marriage certificate, authenticated or apostilled (valid for a minimum of 1 year)
- Notarized proof of address in Panama, e.g. rental contract or letter from hotel
- Proof of economic solvency via a bank reference letter. Note: if applicant shares a joint bank account with main applicant, it is recommended to show a balance of USD$8,000 (rather than $5,000).
Requirements for children
In order to be eligible for this visa, children need to be 25 years or younger. Their application must include:
- Original passport valid for at least six months.
- Five passport-size photographs
- Certified check for USD$250 from a local bank made to the National Treasury
- If the child is 12 years or older: certified check for USD$800 from a local bank made to the National Immigration Service
- Authenticated or apostilled birth certificate, less than 1 year old, proving the child’s relation to the applicant
- If the main applicant is the only parent in the application: a letter from the other parent authorizing their child’s application
- If the dependent child is 18 years old or more: proof demonstrating the child is single and enrolled as a full-time student in Panama.
You’ll need to submit your application in Panama. The processing period for applications is between 3 and 6 months. Applicants usually travel back to their home country during this time. You’ll need a Multiple Entry Visa if you decide to do this and return later to Panama.
You’ll then receive a temporary visa that allows you to stay or leave Panama as you wish. You can also begin your application for a Panamanian identification or cédula.
Note that you must return to Panama to exchange the temporary visa for the permanent visa.
Low application fees
The Panama Friendly Nations Visa costs USD$1,050 in government fees for applicants and dependents 12 years old or more. These payments are made to the National Treasury and National Immigration Service. Dependents under 12 years are only required to pay USD$250 to the National Treasury.
Associated legal and commercial processes such as obtaining a Multiple Entry Visa or work permit, registering a business, and opening a bank account incur extra fees. Therefore, it is wise to budget around USD$4,000 for one main applicant. For a family of four – including one main applicant and three dependents – a budget of approximately USD$8,000 is recommended.
Our experts can support your expansion and visa
Panama is undoubtedly a popular foreign investment hub for its ease of access. The Friendly Nations Visa makes Panama appealing to foreign investors looking to start up their business with minimal barriers and costs.
Biz Latin Hub provides customized support to customers entering Panama and other Latin American markets. We can assist you through the entire company formation process with our tailored business solutions. Contact us today for more information.
Learn about our team and expert authors, and check out our short presentation below for more information about visas in Panama.
