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Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

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Program Type:

Active Investor Visa

Processing Time:

2 months

Citizenship Timeline:

5 years

Permanent Residency Timeline:

2 years

Physical Presence Required:

N/A

Citizenship Visa-Free Access:

US$160,000

Minimum Contribution:

140 countries

Contribution Options:

Business Investment

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Panama Business Investor Residency Permit IMI

Program Overview

Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

Panama’s Business Investor Residency Permit is an Active Investor Visa that requires the applicant’s personal involvement in the day-to-day affairs of the business into which they invest a minimum of US$160,000.

This visa is suitable only for those willing to physically spend most of their time in Panama running a business that employs local staff on a permanent basis.

Permanent residency is available after two years, and applicants who speak Spanish and have made Panama their de facto home are eligible to apply for citizenship within five years.

Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

How to Qualify

To qualify for the Business Investor Residence Permit, an applicant must invest US$160,000 in a new or existing business incorporated in Panama. An additional investment of US$2,000 is required for each dependent additional to the main applicant.

The investment must result in the creation of at least five full-time jobs for Panamanians, who each are paid a salary of at least the minimum wage established by law.

Each employee needs to be registered with Social Security (CSS).

A US$1,050 government application fee applies.

The main applicant may include dependents, such as a spouse and children aged up to 25. Children between 18 and 25 years of age need to demonstrate financial dependence on the main applicant and, further, that they are engaged in in full-time studies.

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Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

Salient Benefits

  • Path to citizenship
  • Low minimum investment
  • Lower taxes
  • Lower cost of living
  • Warm climate
  • Safety and security
  • Enhanced business access to large economies
  • Short processing time

Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

Citizenship Timeline and Requirements

The initial residency permit is valid for two years. If the applicant continues to meet the requirements, he may apply for permanent residency after two years.

After five years of continuous residency, the applicant may be eligible for citizenship. The applicant must prove that Panama is his or her permanent home. Passing a test to demonstrate mastery of Spanish language, knowledge of Panamanian history, culture, and values is necessary before applying for citizenship, as is attending an interview with Government officials.

Panamanian nationality law requires an oath of renunciation of the applicant’s nationality. The renunciation process does not need to be made formally to their home country’s relevant authority. Though Panama formally does not recognize dual citizenship, it is generally permitted in practice.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

Program Authority and Legal Basis

Applications for this program may be directed to Panama National Migration Service.

Legislation upon which this program is based Panama Migration Articles 20 to 22 of the Law by Executive Decree 3-2008.

Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

IMI Pros Who Can Help You

Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

Qualifying Real Estate

As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:

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Panama Business Investor Residency Permit

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Program Statistics

See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.

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