Panama Qualified Investor Visa

USD 300,000 in real estate, USD 500,000 in Panama Stock Exchange securities, or a USD 750,000 fixed-term bank deposit. The 300,000 real estate floor is the cheapest option and is the most widely used.

No. A planned increase to $500,000 was scrapped by Executive Decree 193 of October 2024, which made B/.300,000 the standing real estate minimum with no sunset date. Minimums are statutorily reviewed every two years, so a future rise is possible, but none is scheduled.

Yes. Unlike most Panama immigration categories, this visa grants permanent residence on the first approval rather than after a temporary period. The qualifying investment must then be held for five years.

Commonly 30 to 60 days from a complete submission, with some files running up to about 90 days depending on document completeness and authority workload. It is among the faster residence-by-investment programs.

You become eligible to apply for naturalization after five years of holding permanent resident status. Eligibility is not automatic: expect a Spanish-language interview, a test on Panamanian geography and history, and evidence of genuine ties.

There is no mandated minimum annual stay to keep residence. To protect your status and any future citizenship claim, visit at least once every two years. A citizenship application later will scrutinize real connection to the country.

Panama uses a territorial system, so foreign-source income is not taxed. Only Panama-source income is taxed. Residence alone does not end your obligations elsewhere, and US citizens remain taxed on worldwide income, so coordinate with cross-border tax counsel.

Yes. A spouse, children under 18, dependent children 18+ in full-time study, and dependent parents can be included. Dependents add government and legal fees rather than additional qualifying capital.

The qualifying 300,000 must generally be unencumbered equity. If the property costs more than the floor, the surplus above the minimum can typically be financed with a local mortgage.

No. Panama's reforestation or forestry investor visa is a separate program with lower entry points (commonly around 80,000 to 350,000 in certified forestry projects) and different rules. The Qualified Investor Visa is the capital-based golden visa described here.

On the 2026 Henley index Panama ranks roughly 25th to 26th, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 147 to 148 destinations, including Schengen Europe for short stays. That passport is obtained only after naturalization, not at the residence stage.

The qualifying investment must be maintained for five years. Selling, withdrawing the deposit, or otherwise encumbering the asset before that point can jeopardize your residence status.

The residence permit itself does not grant Schengen or EU mobility. The Schengen benefit comes later through the Panamanian passport, which allows short visa-free tourist visits to Schengen countries.

Slow and strict bank due diligence on incoming funds, Panama's periodic appearances on financial grey lists, and overpriced visa-targeted pre-construction property. The key protection is buying a real asset at a real market price.