Panama · Friendly Nations Visa
The Panama Friendly Nations Visa
A residency route for citizens of countries with friendly economic and professional relations with Panama, tied to a real economic link with the country.
What it is
Residency for citizens of listed countries
Panama keeps a list of countries whose citizens may apply for residency under the Friendly Nations program. The United States and Canada have been on that list.
Since the program was revised, applicants generally need to show an economic tie to Panama, such as qualifying employment with a Panamanian company, the purchase of qualifying real estate, or a multi-year fixed-term deposit with a Panamanian bank. The program usually starts with temporary residence, which can later lead to permanent residence.
The exact list of countries, the qualifying ties and the amounts involved are set by Panama and change from time to time. We confirm them for your nationality and situation before anything is filed.
Who it suits
A good match when
You hold a listed citizenship
Your passport comes from a country on Panama’s Friendly Nations list.
You want property or work in Panama
Buying a home or taking a role with a Panamanian company is already part of your plan.
You earn from abroad
Foreign income can fit Panama’s territorial tax system; the treatment depends on where the work is done and how the business is structured.
Typical documents
What applications generally involve
The general shape of a file. Your exact list depends on your tie to Panama and your family.
- A valid passport from a listed country
- A criminal background check, apostilled
- Proof of your economic tie to Panama
- Proof of financial solvency
- A health certificate issued in Panama
- Filing through a Panamanian lawyer
We coordinate the documents, the local lawyer and the filing, and keep you informed at each stage.
Done for you
How we handle your Friendly Nations Visa application
You make the decisions. We coordinate the immigration and legal professionals in each country and follow every step, so the paperwork never becomes your job.
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Eligibility
We confirm whether this route fits your income, assets, family and nationality, and compare it with the alternatives before you commit.
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Documents
We give you the exact document list for your case and coordinate certificates, apostilles, translations and local filings.
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Application
Immigration professionals in the country prepare and file the application, and we follow it through each stage with you.
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Follow-through
We plan what comes next: renewals, the move to permanent status, your tax residency and, where it applies, the path to citizenship.
Is the Friendly Nations Visa still available?
The program has been revised over the years rather than closed. We confirm the current rules and whether your citizenship qualifies before you commit.
How much do I need to invest?
If you qualify through real estate or a fixed-term deposit, Panama sets a minimum amount for each. The amounts have changed before, so we confirm the current figures for your case (as checked September 2026).
Does this visa make me a Panamanian tax resident?
Not by itself. Tax residency depends on where you live and your ties. We plan your permit and your tax residency together.
Can my family be included?
Dependents can generally apply alongside the main applicant with their own documents.
Your next step
Does your passport qualify?
The Global Strategy confirms eligibility, compares Friendly Nations with the other Panama routes and plans the rest of your move.