Panama Friendly Nations Visa: One of The Simplest Programs Ever

As a writer who has lived in Panama and done the Panama Friendly Visa myself, I understand the advantages of this program in depth. I am not just writing about it, I have done the entire process and taken all the steps. 

Many things have changed since then, but the essence of Panama Friendly Nations Visa remains the same. Therefore, the editorial team at Mundo thought it would be a good idea to remind readers of what they're missing if they're not paying attention to Friendly Nations.

Understanding Panama Residency: Friendly Nations and What Is It About

Panama Friendly Nations Visa was established to encourage citizens of developed countries so that they come to Panama and contribute to its working, corporate, and business environment. This is why they have made a list of approximately 50 countries that are considered to be “friendly”. According to the program’s main philosophy, these citizens can bring value to Panama by working in local companies, investing, creating job positions or acquiring property.

This is why the main requirement of Panama Friendly Visa is to be a citizen of any of the said countries. Since its first establishment, the list of countries has changed, yet not by much. We strongly encourage potential applicants to confirm whether their country actually belongs to the list, but we can roughly mention some that have been always considered: The United States, Australia, Poland, Canada, Japan, Israel, South Africa, Great Britain, Switzerland, and Germany. 

If you are from any of these countries, congratulations, you are eligible. If you're not, there are other options like the Qualified Investor, which is, in many ways, better than Panama Friendly Nations Visa. Through Qualified Investor, the investment is larger, but you can invest in real estate that is still under construction, giving you a wider scope of possibilities. 

If you don't qualify for Panama Friendly Visa, and you don't want to invest that much money, the Reforestation Program offers a more cost-effective approach, about which we’ll be writing more soon. 

Friendly Nations Visa-Panama: Requirements 

Financial Connections

The Panama Friendly Nations Visa is quite accessible, but there's a catch. The first two main requirements are the most difficult to meet: having the right nationality, as described above, and financial ties to the Republic of Panama. This can be done in any of the three following ways. 

Get a Job contract

If you're hired by a local company, you become eligible. It has to be a contract duly registered with the Ministry of Labor. In simple words, you can't be employed as a provider of professional services, but as a permanent staff member with social security and everything stipulated by law. This is the hardest approach because it requires finding a company that will trust you enough to hire a foreign person under these terms.

Contact our experts

Friendly Nations Visa: Panama Requirements and Real Estate Purchase

By purchasing real estate property for $200,000, you also become eligible. As mentioned above, for the Panama Friendly Visa, it has to be an already constructed unit, duly registered. 

Establish A Company and Hire Yourself

There's also the possibility of creating your own company and hiring yourself. You have to comply with all requirements stipulated by law: paying your own salary, paying for your Social Security and educational insurance, and, of course, complying with all the corporate obligations, including incorporation and renewal fees. 

Panama Residency: Friendly Nations and What Happens Next

Now that the most important requirements have been met, you need to proceed with the application. You'll have to deposit a certain amount of money in a local bank account to prove that you are financially solvent. Nevertheless, this is a temporary deposit that you get back once the authorities have confirmed it.

As in most residency procedures, you'll have to submit a clean police record (for all applicants above 18), a certificate of good health, birth and marriage certificates, if applies, and so on. 

Note: the listed items are usually required for similar visas. Accurate and updated information on requirements will be discussed only during formal consultations. 

Panama Residency: Friendly Nations History

From day one, Panama Friendly Visa was an innovative program both on accessibility, speed, and simplicity. Back then, it was exceptional because it offered immediate permanent residency, a fact that changed when the Qualified Investor was incorporated. Now, Panama Friendly Nations Visa offers a two-year permit which can later be extended. While it was a shock to get this news, it's clear why the government would want to favor Qualified Investor over Friendly Nations. 

Disclaimer: this article is merely informative and does not constitute migration or legal advice. Before applying for permanent residency in any country, always consult with certified professionals. 

Friendly Nations Visa: Panama Requirements to Become a Legal Resident

At Mundo, we are in contact with lawyers, experts, and agents who can help you obtain the Panama Friendly Nations Visa or any other visa in Panama. Get in touch with us if you're interested in citizenship by investment as we have agents in the Caribbean and Vanuatu. 

Mundo is an online publication focused on topics of interest to perpetual travelers and global investors. Here, you'll find information and interesting topics related to expat living, foreign banking, corporate and trustee services, detailed articles on real estate developments, and insights into residency and citizenship. Reach out to us if you're interested in any of these topics.

Ask for more information