Panama immigration: residency options in 2026

Panama offers several residency routes for foreigners. Each route has its own decree, and several changed in 2021 and 2026. This guide summarizes the categories most used by foreigners, with the current rule and its source, after our October 2026 update of the immigration decrees.

Before you apply

• Check your nationality against the current Friendly Nations list and visa agreements.
• Apostille your foreign documents and have them translated into Spanish by an official translator.
• Choose the route (employment, property, deposit or investment) before moving funds: traceability is required.
• Budget the government fees (B/.250 and B/.800 in most categories; B/.5,000 plus B/.5,000 for Qualified Investor) in addition to legal fees.

Frequently asked questions about immigration to Panama

What is the Friendly Nations Visa?

A permanent-residence subcategory for nationals of specific countries with friendly, professional, economic and investment relations with Panama, created by Executive Decree 416 of 2012. Since Executive Decree 226 of 2021 it no longer grants permanent residence directly: a two-year provisional residence is granted first, after which permanent residence may be requested with the same requirements (art. 3 as amended).

Which countries qualify?

Fifty countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Mexico, Israel, South Africa and, since Executive Decree 16 of 31 August 2026, Ecuador (art. 2 of Decree 416 as amended). We check your nationality against the current list before starting.

What must I prove under Friendly Nations?

Besides the common requirements of art. 28 of Decree Law 3 and three photos, the economic or professional purpose through one of three routes: a) employment, with an employer's letter, the company's Public Registry certificate and its notice of operation, plus a work permit from the Ministry of Labor; b) ownership of real estate worth at least B/.200,000, personally or through a company or foundation of which you are the beneficial owner, which may be bank-financed; or c) a fixed-term deposit of at least B/.200,000 for three years in a general-license bank, free of liens (Decree 226 of 2021, art. 2).

What are the common requirements?

For any temporary or permanent residence application, Decree Law 3 of 2008 requires a Panamanian lawyer and, as common requirements, a passport copy certified by a Panamanian notary, a criminal record certificate from the country of origin or residence, a health certificate issued within the previous three months, a payment of B/.250 to the National Treasury and a repatriation deposit of B/.800 to the National Immigration Service, and a sworn statement of personal background; foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled (art. 28). Spouses of Panamanians, students, clergy and children under twelve are exempt from the repatriation deposit (art. 29).

What is the Qualified Investor residence?

The permanent-residence subcategory for economic reasons now governed by Executive Decree 17 of 8 September 2026, which replaced Decree 722 of 2020. It requires a minimum investment of B/.300,000 from foreign sources with the applicant's own traceable funds (art. 2): new real estate from B/.300,000 or resale property from B/.500,000 (art. 4), securities of B/.500,000 held for five years (art. 8) or a five-year fixed-term deposit (art. 9), certified by the Ministry of Commerce (art. 3) and maintained for five years (art. 12). Official fees are B/.5,000 plus B/.5,000, and B/.1,000 plus B/.1,000 per dependent (art. 11).

How long can I stay as a tourist?

Decree Law 3 defines the tourist as a non-resident arriving for leisure for a term of no more than ninety days, subject to international agreements and reciprocity (art. 16, no. 1), and allows a change of category with an extension of up to sixty days to complete documents (art. 17).

Can I work remotely from Panama?

Yes, with the Short-Stay Visa as a Remote Worker under Executive Decree 198 of 2021: for employees of foreign companies or self-employed teleworkers with foreign-source income of at least B/.36,000 per year (art. 1); it lasts nine months, renewable for nine more (art. 8).

What is new in 2026?

Permanent residence for students with more than six consecutive years of study in Panama (Decree 3 of 6 February 2026), temporary residence for training of consultants and health professionals (Decree 7 of 17 April 2026) and the Working Holiday visa for 18-to-30-year-olds from countries with a bilateral agreement, up to twelve months, non-renewable (Decree 21 of 13 October 2026).

Do I need a lawyer?

Yes. Temporary and permanent residence applications are filed through a legal representative (Decree Law 3, art. 28).

How much are the fees?

We quote in writing according to the category and the number of applicants. Government fees and deposits are additional and set by each decree.

Related: divorce in Panama · marriage for foreigners · buying real estate · migración en Panamá (Español)

General information based on Decree Law 3 of 2008 (arts. 16, 17, 28 and 29), Executive Decree 416 of 2012 as amended by Decrees 197 and 226 of 2021 and 16 of 2026, Executive Decree 17 of 2026, Executive Decree 198 of 2021 and Executive Decree 21 of 2026, verified on 30 October 2026. Government fees and deposits are those set by each decree and may change; forms and appointments are set by the National Immigration Service. It is not individual legal advice.