Find a Panama residency route that fits your plans. Compare pension, employment and investment options, then check what your nationality, family and circumstances require. The visa check offers an initial indication; eligibility and documents need individual review before you travel or commit funds.
Panama visa check
Which residence route fits your plans?
Four short steps show possible residence routes and the requirements still to clarify.
The comparison runs in your browser. No sign-up. This check does not send your answers to us.
Sources and comparison criteria
The check covers three programmes. Linked explanations include legal sources, exceptions and evidence. Other citizenships and special categories require individual review.
Pensionado Visa
A qualifying lifetime pension generally from USD 1,000 per month. A specific exception allows USD 750 with personally owned property worth more than USD 100,000. Indefinite residence for a qualifying principal applicant if approved; dependant status is assessed separately.
Official information (Spanish) · Source edition: 2026-08-26
Friendly Nations Visa
Qualifying property or a fixed-term deposit from USD 200,000, or documented employment in Panama. An eligible nationality is also required. Initially 2 years of provisional residence, followed by a separate permanent-residence application.
Official information (Spanish) · Source edition: 2026-08-22
Golden Visa / Qualified Investor
Qualifying new first-sale or development property from USD 300,000; other property, securities or qualifying state-bank deposits from USD 500,000; private-bank deposits from USD 750,000. Direct permanent residence if approved; maintain the qualifying investment for 5 years.
Official information (Spanish) · Source edition: 2026-09-22
Three routes to residence in Panama
Compare the qualifying basis, residence status and costs before choosing your next step.
Golden Visa
Qualified Investor
A qualifying investment
For: Investors seeking permanent residence.
Basis: New first-sale or qualifying development property from USD 300,000. Other investments have higher thresholds and separate conditions.
Residence: Direct permanent residence if approved; maintain the qualifying investment for five years.
Fees: An individual proposal. Government charges and third-party expenses are additional.
Friendly Nations
Visa
Investment or employment
For: Nationals of eligible countries, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Basis: Qualifying property or a fixed-term deposit from USD 200,000, or documented employment in Panama. Deposit terms and nationality requirements apply.
Residence: Two-year provisional residence, followed by a separate application for permanent residence.
Fees: An individual proposal. Government charges and third-party expenses are additional.
Pensionado
Visa
A qualifying lifetime pension
For: Applicants with documentary evidence of a qualifying lifetime pension.
Basis: Generally a pension of at least USD 1,000 per month. A specific property-based exception may apply; dependants require additional review.
Residence: Indefinite residence for a qualifying principal applicant if approved. A property purchase is not generally required.
Fees: An individual proposal. Government charges and third-party expenses are additional.
Qualifying investment capital is separate from application fees. Allow for professional fees, applicable government charges, translations, notarial work and other third-party expenses. Immigration residence, work authorisation and tax residence are separate matters.
Official information (Spanish): SNM residence categories · Friendly Nations requirements · Pensionado requirements · MICI Qualified Investor update.
Other residence routes
Other categories may suit your work, investment or family circumstances. They are outside this three-programme comparison and need a separate assessment.
Digital nomad – temporary residence
A separate temporary category may suit remote work performed for overseas employers or clients. Eligibility, permitted activities and duration need individual review. Read the English digital nomad guide.
Reforestation – project investment
For reforestation investments, the project’s eligibility, the applicable residence category and the required evidence need careful review before funds are committed. Discuss reforestation requirements.
Questions about choosing a route
Pensionado requires evidence of a qualifying lifetime pension. Friendly Nations combines an eligible nationality with qualifying employment or investment and starts with two years of provisional residence; permanent residence requires a later application. Qualified Investor is an investment-based route to permanent residence if approved. Pensionado provides indefinite residence for a qualifying principal applicant; dependant status must be checked separately.
This depends on the programme and each family member’s circumstances. Relationship, age, dependency, custody where relevant, and supporting documents are reviewed individually. Additional financial evidence and costs may apply. We confirm family eligibility and the document sequence for the chosen route before you order certificates or book travel.
Personal appointments during the application and the ongoing requirements for maintaining residence are different questions. We clarify travel, absence limits and continuing obligations for your actual category and permit stage. Do not rely on a general promise that a 24-hour visit every two years will preserve your status. Tax residence requires a separate assessment.
Qualifying capital and application expenses are separate. Depending on the route, budget for government charges, any applicable repatriation deposit, professional fees, translations, notarial work and supporting documents. An individual proposal identifies the services included, third-party expenses and costs for accompanying family members.
Use the result to identify possible routes and the requirements still to clarify. Review the available programme information or request a personal assessment. Tell us your nationality, current country of residence, family circumstances and intended timing. The check offers orientation; the legal and documentary review follows before you instruct us to handle an application.