Work for a Panamanian company
An employment letter from a company registered in Panama, stating your position and salary, plus the work permit application filed with the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL).
Panama residency · Países Amigos
Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa, explained in plain English
If you are a citizen of one of 51 countries, including the United States, Canada and many European countries, you can live in Panama by showing one economic tie: a job with a Panamanian company, real estate worth at least US$200,000, or a US$200,000 fixed-term bank deposit.
You start with a two-year provisional residency and then apply for permanent residency.
- 51eligible countries
- US$200,000property or bank deposit
- 2 yearsprovisional, then permanent
- B/. 250 + B/. 800Treasury fee + repatriation deposit
National Immigration Service, requirements sheet PPT-PE / PPP-PE (Países Específicos) · October 26, 2026
Do you qualify?
You need two things: a passport from a Friendly Nation and one economic tie to Panama. Check your country in ten seconds.
The 51 Friendly Nations on a map
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
Hungary
Ireland
Israel
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Key takeaways
- You need a passport from one of the 51 countries on the current list (Executive Decree 16 of 2026).
- You also need one economic tie: a job with a work permit, real estate of at least US$200,000, or a US$200,000 three-year fixed-term deposit.
- At filing, the main applicant pays B/. 250 to the Treasury and leaves a B/. 800 repatriation deposit.
- You get a two-year provisional residency first, then you apply for permanent residency.
- A licensed Panamanian lawyer files for you; by law Immigration has up to 60 business days to decide.
Three ways to show your economic tie
Immigration accepts three routes. You need only one of them, and you choose the one that fits your plans.
Buy real estate
Property in Panama worth at least US$200,000, in your own name or held through a company or private interest foundation you ultimately own. Local bank financing is allowed.
Place a fixed-term deposit
A US$200,000 fixed-term deposit for three years, free of liens, at a bank with a general license in Panama, in your name or through a company or foundation you ultimately own.
Why people choose this route
A clear path to permanent residency
Two years of provisional residency, then permanent residency. No need to re-qualify under a different program.
Your family can come too
Your spouse and dependent children can be included as dependents in your application.
A route to citizenship later
Permanent residents can, over time, apply for Panamanian nationality by naturalization.
Check your country
Search the official list of 51 countries and see what to do if yours is not on it.
Get the document checklist
Every document Immigration asks for, route by route, with what needs an apostille.
See what you pay and to whom
The Treasury fee, the repatriation deposit, and the third-party costs to budget for.
Plan your timeline
From your first call to permanent residency, including your stay in Panama while you apply.
Read the answers
Family, work, travel during the application and the Spanish terms you will see.
How we work with you
A signed contract
An invoice for every expense
Licensed attorneys
Official sources · October 26, 2026
Not sure where to start?
Book a free 15-minute call. We will confirm your eligibility and the route that fits you best.