Panama’s “friendly nations” immigration program is a system of permanent immigrant visas, established by the Panamanian government, for citizens or nationals of specific countries. The applicant must establish professional or economic relationship with Panama; it is not an investment visa. This visa category is more flexible than other immigration categories. For your reference, in addition to the passport, each applicant must present the following documents:
1: Criminal history background check from the applicant’s country of origin. The Panama immigration department requires the applicant to provide an authenticated criminal history report issued by a federal, central or national police force or criminal investigation authority. This document must be authenticated by the embassy or consulate of Panama, or apostilled. The criminal history background check has a validity term of six months from its issuance date.
2: Copy of applicant’s second I.D. (other than passport): Issued from applicant’s country of origin, such as a driver’s license or government-issued photo I.D. This requirement is in addition to the passport to prove residency and citizenship. This document must be apostilled or authenticated by a Panamanian consulate where the document is issued. If you do not possess a second I.D. from your country of origin, you can provide a birth certificate that is apostilled or authenticated by the Panamanian consulate or apostilled in the country of issuance.
3: Proof of solvency: Proof from a Panama bank that the applicant has at least $5,000 USD deposited, plus $2,000 USD for each dependent. This is done by requesting a bank letter of reference.
4: Documents showing the economic or professional activities to be conducted by the applicant in Panama. This can be proved by one of the following options:
5: Economic activity: Provide documentation that the applicant is a member of the board of directors or shareholder of a Panama corporation. This corporation need to be active in business.
6: Labor contract: Provide documentation that the applicant will be hired by a Panamanian corporation.
The process would take approximately five months and starts at the time that the documentation is completed. The applicant must be in Panama when filing the visa application. The nationals of the following countries can apply to this visa: United Kingdom, Germany, Argentina, Australia, South Korea, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Spain, United States of America, Slovak Republic, France, Finland, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Singapore , Uruguay, Chile, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Serbia, Montenegro, Israel, Denmark, South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Mónaco, Andorra, San Marino, Taiwan.
