Immigration
Friendly Nations, Qualified Investor and work-permit quotas
Immigration is governed by Decree-Law 3 of 2008 and administered by the Servicio Nacional de Migración. The Friendly Nations visa was reformed in 2021 to require a job offer or property investment, and the Qualified Investor route grants permanent residence on a substantial investment.
Key rules
- Friendly Nations applicants from listed countries now need a Panamanian job offer or a USD 200,000 property purchase.
- Qualified Investor residence requires USD 300,000 in real estate, or defined amounts in securities or fixed deposits.
- Pensionado requires a lifetime pension of USD 1,000 per month and grants generous statutory discounts.
- Companies may generally employ foreigners for no more than 10% of their workforce, or 15% for specialists.
- Permanent residents must not be absent for more than two consecutive years without a multiple-entry permit.
Governing law
- Decreto Ley 3 de 2008Migration framework and the Servicio Nacional de Migración.
- Decreto Ejecutivo 226 de 2021Reformed Friendly Nations requirements.
- Código de Trabajo (Arts 17-19)Foreign worker percentages.
In practice
Applications must be filed by a Panamanian lawyer. Residence and work permits are separate: residence comes from Migración, the work permit from MITRADEL, and both are needed to be employed lawfully.