Provisional route01
USD 100,000
Two years of provisional residency, then conversion to permanent. The accessible entry point.
Residency · 01
Friendly Nations Visa
Panama residency for citizens of 50+ nations.
Explore- 50+Qualifying nations
- USD 200,000Qualifying investment
- 2 yearsTo permanent residency
- 140+Countries visa free on a Panama passport
What it is
Panama's most used residency pathway. Built for citizens of 50+ friendly nations with professional or economic ties to Panama.
Created in 2012 by Executive Decree 416 and rewritten in 2021 by Executive Decree 197, which introduced the USD 200,000 threshold and the provisional then permanent structure.
Anything describing a lower bar is out of date. We work only on today's requirements, the ones thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and families use every year.
Who qualifies
Over 50 nations are on the list.
If your passport is one of them and you can meet one of the three economic connection requirements below, you are eligible. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union (all member states), Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and 40 more
Not on the list? Panama has other routes: Pensionado Visa, Qualified Investor Visa, Active Investor Visa.
Three ways to qualify
One economic connection to Panama. Choose the route that fits how you hold your capital.
- USD 200,000Real estate
- Property in Panama, registered in your name, free of liens. The most popular route: it satisfies the requirement while building a real asset in a dollarised market.
- USD 200,000Fixed term deposit
- A certificate of deposit in a Panamanian bank for a minimum of three years. Your capital remains yours. It earns interest. And it qualifies you for residency.
- No capitalEmployment
- A formal work contract with a company registered in Panama, supported by a work permit from the Ministry of Labour. For professionals joining a multinational, an international organisation, or an operating business of their own in Panama City.
What you get
Six things the visa gives you. Residency first, then everything that follows from it.
-
01
Permanent residency after two years
Convert from provisional to permanent once your qualifying investment or employment is still in place. Permanent residency does not expire.
-
02
No minimum stay
Enter Panama at least once every two years. Beyond that, no physical presence obligation is tied to the permit. Tax residency has separate criteria.
-
03
Work permit
Holders are eligible for a Panamanian work permit and formal employment with local companies.
-
04
Family included
Spouse of any nationality, dependent children under 25, and dependent parents receive residency alongside you.
-
05
Path to citizenship
After five years of permanent residency you may apply for citizenship. The Panama passport offers visa free or visa on arrival access to over 140 countries.
-
06
Territorial tax system
For most clients, this is the point. Once you establish tax residency in Panama, only income earned from Panamanian sources is taxed. Foreign income is not. Tax residency has its own criteria, separate from the visa. We set them out in the consultation.
The process (step by step)
You arrive to a process already in motion. Before your first appointment your attorney is briefed, your bank introduction is arranged, your document checklist is prepared, and your itinerary is set.
Three years from first call to permanent residency. Most of it is waiting. The work is done in the first month.
-
01 (1 week)
Sign and onboard
You sign the proposal and complete your intake forms online. We send your document checklist.
-
02 (3 weeks)
Prepare at home
You obtain your apostilled criminal record, about three weeks. Meanwhile, we form your Panama corporation where required and prepare your full file.
-
03 (1 week)
Plan your trip
You share your travel details. We book your appointments and arrange airport pick up.
-
04 (1 week)
Visit Panama
You sign your documents with our lawyer, open your bank account where included, and your file is submitted to Immigration. Plan on about five business days in Panama.
-
05 (1 week)
Receive your card
You leave Panama with your six month provisional residency card.
-
06 (26 weeks)
Return for your two year card
Within six months, you return to Panama to exchange it for your two year residency card. We notify you in advance when Immigration is ready.
- 2 years Then conversion to permanent residency
Timelines vary depending on your documents and government processing. We confirm the specifics during your consultation. Government fees, attorney fees, and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation. Qualifying capital is USD 200,000 for the real estate or deposit routes. The employment route requires no capital.
What you will need
Seven documents. We review every one before you travel.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 03 Proof of qualifying route Property title, deposit certificate, or work contract.
- 04 Proof of solvency Bank statements or equivalent.
- 05 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 06 Health certificate Issued in Panama during your visit.
- 07 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
Do I need to live in Panama to keep my residency?
No. Enter the country at least once every two years. There is no minimum stay attached to the permit.
03
Can I include my family?
Yes. Spouse of any nationality, dependent children under 25, and dependent parents are included in the same application.
04
Does the visa make me a Panama tax resident?
Not by itself. Tax residency has its own criteria, including time spent in Panama and your centre of interests. We set these out in the consultation.
05
Can I finance the real estate purchase?
Local bank financing is possible, but the registered value of the property must still meet USD 200,000 and be free of liens at filing. Confirm the current rule with your attorney.
06
How is this different from the Qualified Investor Visa?
Friendly Nations: USD 200,000, two years provisional, then permanent, for 50+ nationalities. Qualified Investor: permanent residency immediately, any nationality, from USD 300,000 for a new build property, USD 500,000 for resale property or securities, under the rules in force since 16 September 2026. Compare the two paths
Residency · 02
Qualified Investor Visa
Permanent residency from day one.
Explore- USD 300,000Entry investment, new build property
- Day onePermanent residency on approval
- AnyNationality
- 5 yearsQualifying investment held
What it is
Panama's direct route to permanent residency. One approved application, no provisional stage, open to every nationality.
Created in 2020 by Executive Decree 722: permanent residency in a single step, in exchange for a qualifying investment.
Executive Decree 17, in force since 16 September 2026, replaced the 2020 rules. It split real estate into two tiers, added a state bank deposit route and tightened source of funds checks. Anything describing a flat USD 300,000 property rule is out of date. The investment is held for five years, and every dollar must be traceable to its origin.
Who qualifies
Any nationality.
There is no list to be on. This is the primary route for passports not on the Friendly Nations list, and the fastest route for everyone else. The funds must be your own and fully traceable. The banking system runs its own checks before any application is filed.
On the Friendly Nations list and investing less? Friendly Nations Visa
Five ways to qualify
One qualifying investment, held for five years. Choose the route that fits how you hold your capital.
- USD 300,000New build property
- A first sale, unoccupied property bought from the developer, registered in your name and free of liens. Pre construction can qualify, with completion conditions your attorney confirms.
- USD 500,000Resale property
- Any property previously sold, occupied or rented. The 2026 rules set the higher tier for the secondary market.
- USD 500,000Securities
- Panamanian listed securities bought through a licensed local brokerage and held for five years.
- USD 750,000Private bank deposit
- A fixed term deposit in a licensed private Panamanian bank, held for five years. The highest liquidity at maturity.
- USD 500,000State bank deposit
- A fixed term deposit at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros. New under the 2026 rules.
What you get
Six things the visa gives you. Permanent status first, then everything that follows from it.
-
01
Permanent residency on approval
No provisional stage and no conversion filing. Approval makes you a permanent resident. Your card follows a complete file within about 30 working days.
-
02
No minimum stay
Enter Panama at least once every two years. Beyond that, no physical presence obligation is tied to the permit. Tax residency has separate criteria.
-
03
Family included
Spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents receive residency under the same application.
-
04
Special travel document
Under Law 493 of 2025, qualified investors and their dependents may apply for a special Panamanian travel document. It does not replace your passport and does not grant citizenship.
-
05
Path to citizenship
After five years of permanent residency you may apply for citizenship.
-
06
Territorial tax system
Once you establish tax residency in Panama, only income from Panamanian sources is taxed. Foreign income is not. Tax residency has its own criteria, set out in the consultation.
The process (step by step)
You invest once. We coordinate everything around it. Before you commit capital, your attorney is briefed, your bank introduction is made, and the qualifying asset is vetted.
Weeks to residency, five years of commitment. The work is in the file. The decision follows fast.
-
01 (1 week)
Private consultation
We confirm the route that fits your capital, test the source of funds file, and send a written proposal. No obligation.
-
02 (4 weeks)
Source of funds file
Bank records, contracts and declarations assembled and reviewed before anything is filed. The banking system runs its own checks. The file must hold. Two to four weeks.
-
03 (4 weeks)
Investment completed
Property purchase, brokerage account or deposit executed with vetted counterparties. Funds arrive from abroad through traceable channels.
-
04 (6 weeks)
Filing and biometrics
Your attorney files by power of attorney. One short visit to Panama City covers biometrics and registration.
-
05 (1 week)
Permanent residency
Decision typically within 30 working days of a complete file. Your card is issued. The investment stays in place for five years.
- Once every 2 years Minimum presence to keep residency
- 5 years Qualifying investment held
Government fees, attorney fees, and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation. Qualifying capital starts at USD 300,000 for new build property.
What you will need
Eight documents. The source of funds file carries the weight.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 03 Proof of investment Property title, brokerage certificate, or deposit certificate.
- 04 Source of funds evidence Bank records tracing the capital to its origin.
- 05 Proof of funds entry Transfer of the investment into Panama from abroad.
- 06 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 07 Health certificate Issued in Panama during your visit.
- 08 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
I invested before 16 September 2026. Which rules apply?
Investments and binding contracts completed before 16 September 2026 can still use the previous rules, if the application is filed within six months of that date. Applications already filed are reviewed under the rules in force at filing. The window is short. Confirm your position in the consultation.
03
Can I start without travelling to Panama?
Yes. Your attorney files by power of attorney. One short visit covers biometrics and the residency card.
04
Do I need to live in Panama to keep my residency?
No. Enter the country at least once every two years. There is no minimum stay attached to the permit.
05
How is this different from the Friendly Nations Visa?
Qualified Investor: from USD 300,000, permanent residency immediately, any nationality. Friendly Nations: USD 200,000, two years provisional, then permanent, for 50+ nationalities. Compare the two paths
06
Does the visa make me a Panama tax resident?
Not by itself. Tax residency has its own criteria, including time spent in Panama and your centre of interests. We set these out in the consultation.
Residency · 03
Active Investor Visa
Residency built on a real business.
Explore- USD 160,000Minimum investment per applicant
- 5Full time Panamanian employees
- 2 yearsProvisional, then permanent
- USD 2,000Added per dependent
What it is
Residency tied to business activity, not parked capital.
Formally the Micro Business Investor Visa: you build a company that operates and employs.
- The companyOwnership
- You are a shareholder or officer of a Panamanian company holding a valid commercial operating permit and in good standing with the authorities.
- The jobsPayroll
- The company keeps at least five Panamanian citizens on payroll, full time, at or above minimum wage, registered with social security.
- The pointReal activity
- Built for entrepreneurs establishing genuine operations. It is not a vehicle for shell companies, and applications are judged on real activity.
Who it is for
Clients relocating to build or run something. A business in Panama City, a regional base, an operating company that pairs with your residency.
The visa rewards real operations: premises, payroll, invoices. If your plan is to place capital and stay passive, a different route will serve you better.
Prefer passive capital? Qualified Investor Visa · On the friendly nations list? Friendly Nations Visa
Key requirements
Four conditions, all verifiable. The authorities check each one at filing and again at conversion.
-
USD 160,000
Invested
Your own funds, invested as capital in a new or existing Panamanian company, per applicant, with bank certified proof of the deposit.
-
5
Panamanian employees
Full time, on payroll at or above minimum wage, registered with social security. Contractors and part time roles do not count.
-
1
Operating permit
The company holds a valid commercial operating permit and is registered and in good standing with Panamanian authorities.
-
USD 2,000
Per dependent
The investment increases by USD 2,000 for each dependent included in the application.
What you get
Residency that grows with the business. Provisional first, permanent at conversion, and everything that follows.
-
01
Provisional to permanent residency
Residency begins as provisional status tied to the operating business and converts to permanent residency. Permanent residency does not expire.
-
02
Work authorisation and cedula
Your Panamanian identity card, and the right to work in and run your company.
-
03
Banking access
Personal and corporate accounts with Panamanian banks, opened through introductions made before you arrive.
-
04
Family included
Spouse and dependents receive residency under the same application, with USD 2,000 added to the investment per dependent.
-
05
Path to citizenship
After five years of permanent residency you may apply for citizenship.
-
06
Territorial tax system
Once you establish tax residency in Panama, only income from Panamanian sources is taxed. Foreign income is not. Tax residency has its own criteria, set out in the consultation.
The process (step by step)
Company, bank, permits and residency move together. Nothing stalls because one piece is waiting on another.
The company comes first. Residency follows it. Most of the work is in setting up a business that holds up to inspection.
-
01 (1 month)
Private consultation
We test the business plan against the requirements, confirm eligibility, and send a written proposal. No obligation.
-
02 (2 months)
Company formed and permitted
Incorporation, commercial operating permit, tax and social security registration, all coordinated through our corporate attorneys.
-
03 (2 months)
Capital in, team hired
The USD 160,000 is deposited with bank certified proof, and five Panamanian employees go on payroll.
-
04 (1 month)
Residency filed
Your attorney files the application in Panama City. One visit covers biometrics and registration.
-
05 (24 months)
Provisional to permanent
Provisional residency is issued, and conversion to permanent follows with proof the business still operates and employs.
- Once every 2 years Minimum presence to keep residency
- 5 years Permanent residency to citizenship eligibility
Government fees, attorney fees, incorporation costs and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation. Payroll for five employees is a continuing monthly obligation, not a one time cost.
What you will need
Eight documents. The company file carries the weight.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 03 Company documents Incorporation, operating permit, and good standing certificates.
- 04 Proof of investment Bank certified deposit of the USD 160,000 capital.
- 05 Payroll records Social security registration for the five Panamanian employees.
- 06 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 07 Health certificate Issued in Panama during your visit.
- 08 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
Do the five jobs have to be full time?
Yes. Five Panamanian citizens, on payroll full time at or above minimum wage, registered with social security. Contractors and part time roles do not count.
03
Can I use an existing business?
Yes. A new or existing Panamanian company qualifies, provided you are a shareholder or officer and every requirement is met.
04
Can my family work in the business?
Dependents receive residency under your application. Work permits are separate filings. We map them in the consultation.
05
What happens if the business changes or closes?
The residency is tied to the operating business, and the requirements must hold at conversion. Discuss any planned change with your attorney before acting on it.
06
How does this compare with the Friendly Nations employment route?
Friendly Nations needs a work contract with a Panamanian employer. This visa needs your own company employing five Panamanians, with no nationality restriction. Compare the two paths
Residency · 04
Digital Nomad Visa
Live in Panama. Work for the world.
Explore- USD 3,000Minimum monthly foreign income
- 9 + 9 monthsStay, renewable once
- 0Panamanian tax on foreign income
- AnyNationality
What it is
A legal stay, not a residency.
Formally the Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers: eighteen months to live in Panama while your income stays foreign.
- 2021Established
- Executive Decree 198 created the short stay visa for remote workers, professionals paid from outside Panama.
- 9 + 9Months
- Nine months of legal stay, renewable once for nine more. A temporary permit, not a path to permanent residency in itself.
- 1stStep
- The entry point for clients testing Panama before committing capital: live here first, then decide on a residency route.
Who qualifies
Any nationality, foreign income only. Remote employees, freelancers and online business owners paid entirely from outside Panama.
-
USD 3,000
A month
The minimum foreign income for a single applicant, USD 36,000 a year, shown in bank statements.
-
USD 4,000
With dependents
The threshold when a spouse or children are included in the application.
-
100%
Foreign source
Income must come from foreign employers or foreign clients. Working for Panamanian companies or clients is not permitted under this visa.
The tax position
Foreign earnings are outside Panama's tax net. Panama taxes Panamanian source income. What you earn from foreign clients and employers is not taxed here during your stay.
US citizens remain subject to US federal tax wherever they live. Every other nationality should confirm home country obligations with a tax professional before relocating. We can arrange the introduction.
What you get
Eighteen months of certainty. A legal base in Panama while you work, without touching your tax position at home more than it has to.
-
01
Up to 18 months of legal stay
Nine months issued, renewable once for nine more. No border runs, no tourist stamp arithmetic, multiple entry throughout.
-
02
No Panamanian tax on foreign income
Panama's territorial system leaves foreign source earnings untaxed here for the duration of your stay.
-
03
Family included
Spouse and dependent children join the application at the USD 4,000 monthly income threshold.
-
04
A working base in Panama City
Banking introductions, accommodation and local setup coordinated through one network.
-
05
A tested step to residency
If Panama fits, the stay gives you time to complete a qualifying investment and file for a residency visa before the window closes.
The process (step by step)
Filed by your attorney, settled by our team. Documents are apostilled and translated before anything reaches immigration.
Weeks to file, eighteen months to use. The work is in the document file. The stay is the easy part.
-
01 (1 month)
Private consultation
We confirm your income qualifies, map the eighteen months against your plans, and send a written proposal. No obligation.
-
02 (1 month)
Documents prepared at home
Proof of remote work, bank statements, police clearance, all apostilled and officially translated into Spanish, reviewed by us before filing. Two to four weeks.
-
03 (2 months)
Application filed
Your attorney files with the National Immigration Service in Panama City.
-
04 (9 months)
Visa issued
The short stay visa is issued for nine months, with multiple entry. Your local setup, bank introduction, SIM and accommodation, is already arranged.
-
05 (18 months)
Renewal or next step
Before month nine we file the renewal, or begin the residency route you have chosen. Nothing lapses.
Government fees, attorney fees, and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation.
What you will need
Eight documents, apostilled and translated. We review every one before filing.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Proof of remote work Employment contract with a foreign company, or proof you own a foreign business.
- 03 Proof of income Bank statements showing USD 3,000 a month on average, USD 4,000 with dependents.
- 04 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 05 Health insurance Cover valid in Panama for the length of the stay.
- 06 Sworn declaration Committing not to take work from Panamanian employers or clients.
- 07 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 08 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
From nomad to resident
Many clients never leave. The stay gives you up to eighteen months to complete a qualifying investment and file for residency, managed with us as one engagement.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
Can I work for Panamanian clients?
No. Income must come entirely from foreign employers or foreign clients. Taking local work ends the basis of the visa.
03
Does time on this visa count toward permanent residency or citizenship?
No. It is a temporary permit. The residency clock starts when a residency visa is approved.
04
Can I renew it?
Once, for nine more months, eighteen in total. After that, a residency route or departure.
05
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Spouse and dependent children are included at the USD 4,000 monthly income threshold.
06
What happens when the eighteen months end?
By then most clients have either filed for residency or planned the exit. We map the next step with you before month nine, not month seventeen.
Residency · 05
Professional Visa
Work in Panama by qualification.
Explore- 2 yearsProvisional, then permanent
- 2 tracksImmigration and MITRADEL, run in parallel
- USD 850Minimum monthly salary
- 10 to 15%Foreign employee quota at the employer
What it is
Residency earned by qualification, employment made legal.
Two authorities, two filings, one coordinated process.
- The residencyImmigration
- A two year provisional permit for recognised degree holders with a Panamanian employment contract, converting to permanent residency. Handled by the National Immigration Service.
- The work permitMITRADEL
- A separate authorisation from MITRADEL, the Ministry of Labour, that makes the employment legal. Both filings run in parallel. Neither waits on the other.
- The exceptionsReserved professions
- Certain professions, including law, accounting and some medical specialisations, are reserved for Panamanian nationals and are not open through this route.
Who it is for
Professionals with a Panamanian offer in hand. A local job, a corporate transfer, a regional assignment with a Panama seat.
Most commonly used by finance professionals, engineers, technology specialists, medical professionals and executives whose field is open to foreigners.
No offer yet? Active Investor Visa for your own company · Friendly Nations Visa if your passport is listed
Key requirements
Four conditions, two of them on the employer. The file is built on the degree and the contract.
-
1
Recognised degree
A university degree or professional qualification, authenticated and validated by the relevant Panamanian body.
-
1
Employment contract
A formal contract with a Panamanian employer, registered with MITRADEL.
-
10 to 15%
Quota compliance
Foreign employees are generally capped at 10% of the employer's workforce, 15% for specialist roles. The employer must be inside the cap.
-
USD 850
Minimum salary
The monthly salary floor for the role under current rules.
What you get
Legal residence and legal work, together. Neither track waits on the other.
-
01
Residency that converts
Two years of provisional residency, then conversion to permanent residency. Permanent residency does not expire.
-
02
Legal employment
The MITRADEL work permit authorises your employment with the Panamanian company from the start.
-
03
Family included
Spouse and dependents receive residency under the same application.
-
04
Resident services
Your cedula, access to Panama's banking system, healthcare, and everything that comes with resident status.
-
05
Path to citizenship
After five years of permanent residency you may apply for citizenship.
The process (step by step)
Two authorities, one calendar. The degree file, the employer file and the two filings move on one plan.
The degree file sets the pace. Validation first, then two filings that run side by side.
-
01 (1 month)
Private consultation
We check your field against the reserved professions, test the offer against the quota, and send a written proposal. No obligation.
-
02 (2 months)
Degree validated
Your qualification is authenticated, apostilled and validated with the relevant Panamanian body.
-
03 (1 month)
Employer file built
Contract registered with MITRADEL, quota compliance and good standing evidenced.
-
04 (3 months)
Two filings in parallel
The residency application goes to immigration while the work permit goes to MITRADEL. Neither waits on the other.
-
05 (24 months)
Provisional to permanent
Provisional residency is issued. After two years we file the conversion to permanent.
- 2 Filings in parallel, immigration and MITRADEL
- 5 years Permanent residency to citizenship eligibility
Government fees, attorney fees, and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation. Some costs sit with the employer. We set out who pays what.
What you will need
Eight documents. The degree and the contract carry the weight.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Degree Authenticated, apostilled, and validated by the relevant Panamanian body.
- 03 Employment contract Formal, with a Panamanian employer, registered with MITRADEL.
- 04 Employer documents Good standing and evidence the foreign employee quota is met.
- 05 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 06 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 07 Health certificate Issued in Panama during your visit.
- 08 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
Which professions are closed to foreigners?
Law, accounting and some medical specialisations are reserved for Panamanian nationals. We confirm whether your field is open in the consultation, before anything is filed.
03
Can I change employer later?
The permit is tied to the employment. A change means new filings. Plan it with your attorney before resigning.
04
How is this different from the Friendly Nations employment route?
Friendly Nations requires a listed passport. This route is open by qualification to any nationality. We map both against your situation. Compare the two paths
05
Does my family get work rights?
Dependents receive residency. Work permits are separate filings. We handle them on request.
06
What must the job pay?
At least the minimum salary MITRADEL sets for foreign professionals. We confirm the current figure in the consultation.
Residency · 06
Pensionado Visa
Retire in Panama on your pension alone.
Explore- USD 1,000Monthly lifetime pension required
- USD 750With Panamanian property over USD 100,000
- PermanentResidency from approval
- 1987The programme's founding year
What it is
Residency for retirees, running since 1987.
Your pension does the qualifying. Panama does the rest.
- 1987Established
- Created to attract foreign retirees, and running continuously since. One of the longest standing retirement residency programmes anywhere.
- USD 1,000The threshold
- A guaranteed lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 a month, from a government, an international organisation, or a private company plan.
- 0Further investment
- No property purchase, no deposit, no securities. The pension is the entire economic requirement.
Who qualifies
Any nationality, any age over 18. What matters is the word lifetime.
The pension must be verifiable and guaranteed for life, and the certification letter must say so explicitly. Government social security, military pensions, state retirement funds and private corporate plans all qualify. Fixed term annuities do not.
Own Panamanian real estate worth more than USD 100,000? The pension threshold drops to USD 750 a month.
The discounts
A statutory book of discounts, for life. Panamanian law mandates them for every pensionado, regardless of age.
-
01
50%
Entertainment nationwide: cinema, concerts, cultural and sporting events.
-
02
25%
Restaurant dining.
-
03
50% / 30%
Hotel rates Monday to Thursday / weekends.
-
04
25%
Airline tickets.
-
05
30%
Bus, train and boat fares.
-
06
20%
Private medical consultations.
-
07
15%
Hospital bills without insurance.
-
08
10%
Prescription medication.
-
09
25%
Electricity, water and telephone, within consumption caps.
Caps and conditions apply to some discounts. The full statutory list is reviewed in the consultation.
The tax position
Foreign pension income sits outside Panama's tax net. Panama taxes Panamanian source income. A pension paid from abroad is generally not taxed here.
US citizens remain subject to US federal tax wherever they live. Every retiree should confirm home country obligations with a qualified tax professional. We can arrange the introduction.
What you get
Permanent status and a lower cost of living, by law. The discounts are the headline. The residency is the foundation.
-
01
Permanent residency
Granted on approval, for as long as the pension continues. No renewals, no conversion filings.
-
02
The statutory discounts
The full book above, mandated by law, for life.
-
03
Import exemptions
A one time exemption on household goods up to USD 10,000, and a duty exempt car import every two years.
-
04
Family included
Spouse and dependents join the application with additional pension income of USD 250 a month each.
-
05
Banking and resident services
Panamanian accounts, healthcare access, and everything resident status carries.
-
06
A dollar economy
Your pension arrives in the currency it was earned in. No conversion, no exchange risk.
The process (step by step)
You step off the plane into a process already in motion. Certification letter, apostilles, medical and attorney, all coordinated before you arrive.
Weeks of preparation, one short visit. The certification letter sets the pace.
-
01 (1 month)
Private consultation
We confirm your pension qualifies, check the lifetime wording, and send a written proposal. No obligation.
-
02 (1 month)
Pension certified
The certification letter is obtained, worded to state the lifetime guarantee, apostilled and translated.
-
03 (1 month)
Documents prepared at home
Police clearance and the rest of the file, reviewed by us before you travel. Two to four weeks.
-
04 (1 month)
Two to three days in Panama City
Attorney meeting, immigration filing, medical exam, bank introduction. Everything booked before you land.
-
05 (6 months)
Permanent residency
The application completes and your card is issued. The discounts apply from the start of your residency.
- Lifetime The discounts, for as long as you hold the visa
Government fees, attorney fees, and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation. There is no qualifying investment. The pension is the requirement.
What you will need
Eight documents. The certification letter carries the weight.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Pension certification letter Stating the pension is guaranteed for life, apostilled and translated.
- 03 Proof of payments Bank statements showing the pension arriving.
- 04 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 05 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 06 Health certificate Issued in Panama during your visit.
- 07 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
- 08 Property title Only for the USD 750 route: Panamanian real estate above USD 100,000, in your name.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
Does Panama pay me a pension?
No. The pension is your own, from your government, employer or plan. Panama grants residency and the statutory discounts on the strength of it.
03
Can I work in Panama on this visa?
The visa does not carry a work permit. Owning a business is possible. Employment needs separate authorisation. We map it in the consultation.
04
Is there a minimum age?
No. Anyone over 18 with a qualifying lifetime pension is eligible.
05
What does lifetime mean in practice?
The certification letter must state the pension is guaranteed for life. Fixed term annuities and drawdown accounts do not qualify.
06
Can I include my spouse?
Yes. Dependents are added with additional pension income of USD 250 a month each. We confirm the current figure in the consultation.
Residency · 07
Reforestation Visa
Residency grown in Panamanian forest.
Explore- USD 100,000Entry investment, provisional route
- USD 350,000Immediate permanent residency
- 5 yearsInvestment held
- 2Routes to choose from
What it is
An investment visa rooted in regulated forestry.
Authorised commercial plantations, a residency attached, and a contribution you can stand in front of.
- The assetPlantations
- Authorised commercial forest plantations, typically teak, certified and regulated by Panama's Ministry of Environment.
- The ruleFive years
- The investment is held for a minimum of five years, and increases by USD 2,000 for each dependent included.
- The appealLowest threshold
- The lowest investment threshold among Panama's investment visas, with local employment and forest restoration funded directly by your capital.
Who it is for
Investors who want their capital planted, not parked. An alternative to property and deposits, at the lowest entry point to Panama residency.
No experience in agriculture or forestry is required. The project operator manages the plantation. Your role is the investment and the paperwork, and we handle the paperwork.
Returns depend on the project and are not guaranteed. The residency does not depend on the return.
Two routes
Choose by how fast you want permanence. Both hold for five years. One skips the provisional stage.
Immediate permanent02
USD 350,000
Permanent residency from day one, with no provisional stage. Structured like the Qualified Investor Visa, at a lower threshold.
Each dependent adds USD 2,000 to the investment. Both routes hold the investment for a minimum of five years.
Due diligence
Not all plantations are equal. Project selection decides whether this route works.
We work only with government registered, MiAmbiente approved projects with verified track records, and we complete due diligence on registration, compliance and viability before any client is introduced to a project.
What you get
Residency, resident rights, and a stake in the forest. The benefits follow the route you choose.
-
01
Residency at either level
Provisional converting to permanent at USD 100,000, or permanent from day one at USD 350,000. Permanent residency does not expire.
-
02
Family included
Spouse and dependents join the application, with USD 2,000 added to the investment each.
-
03
Banking and resident services
Your cedula, Panamanian accounts, and everything resident status carries.
-
04
Territorial tax system
Once you establish tax residency in Panama, only Panamanian source income is taxed. Foreign income is not. Criteria are set out in the consultation.
-
05
Path to citizenship
After five years of permanent residency you may apply for citizenship.
-
06
Potential timber revenue
Authorised projects may generate revenue when timber is harvested. Outcomes are project dependent and not guaranteed.
The process (step by step)
The project is vetted before your capital moves. Environmental compliance, investment structure and immigration run as one engagement.
Weeks to structure, five years to hold. Due diligence sets the pace at the start.
-
01 (1 month)
Private consultation
We confirm the route that fits, explain how approved projects work, and send a written proposal. No obligation.
-
02 (1 month)
Project selected
We shortlist MiAmbiente approved projects, verify registration and compliance, and introduce only what passes due diligence.
-
03 (2 months)
Investment completed
The purchase is documented, registered, and funded through traceable channels.
-
04 (3 months)
Residency filed
Your attorney files in Panama City. One visit covers biometrics and registration.
-
05 (1 month)
Residency issued
Provisional or permanent, by route. Annual compliance filings are coordinated for the life of the investment.
- 2 years Provisional to permanent on the USD 100,000 route
- 5 years Investment held, both routes
Government fees, attorney fees, project costs and our coordination fee are quoted in writing after the consultation.
What you will need
Eight documents. The project file carries the weight.
- 01 Passport Valid for at least six months.
- 02 Police clearance From your country of residence, apostilled.
- 03 Project contract The purchase agreement for your stake in the approved plantation.
- 04 Project certification Evidence of government registration and MiAmbiente approval.
- 05 Source of funds evidence Bank records tracing the capital to its origin.
- 06 Passport photos Taken to Panama's specification.
- 07 Health certificate Issued in Panama during your visit.
- 08 Family documents Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled, for any dependents.
Questions we hear most.
01
Does Advisory N9 give legal, tax or financial advice?
Advisory N9 acts as a coordination service. We are not authorised to practise law or to provide legal, tax, or financial advice, and we are not a bank, a payment institution, or a money transmitter. We do not hold or transmit funds on behalf of clients. Legal filings, regulated work, and account and merchant approvals are performed and decided by independent licensed professionals and institutions. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute advice of any kind, and do not form part of any engagement. The terms of any engagement are set out separately in writing.
02
Is the timber return guaranteed?
No. Projects may generate revenue at harvest, and outcomes depend on the project, the species and the market. The residency does not depend on the return.
03
Which projects qualify?
Government registered, MiAmbiente approved commercial plantations. We introduce only projects that pass our own due diligence.
04
What separates the two routes?
USD 100,000 buys the provisional route, two years then permanent. USD 350,000 is permanent from day one. Both hold for five years.
05
Can I include my family?
Yes. The investment increases by USD 2,000 per dependent, and the whole family files together.
06
Do I need forestry experience?
No. The project operator manages the plantation. Your role is the investment, and we handle the paperwork around it.
