Residency through investment
Qualified Investor Visa
The fastest economic route: it grants permanent residency directly, without going through provisional residency, and can be processed through a special power of attorney, without the investor having to remain in the country during the process.
What it involves
What this category is
A direct permanent residency category on economic grounds. Unlike most investment programs, it does not require first going through a two-year provisional residency stage.
A single one of the three investment options is chosen and must be held for at least 5 years, with annual evidence to the immigration authority that it remains in place.
Legal basisExecutive Decree 722 of 15 October 2020, amended by Decree 193 of 2024
Who it is for
- Investors who prioritize speed and immediate permanent residency.
- Those purchasing real estate in Panama, including pre-construction projects.
- Those who prefer to invest in the Panamanian securities market or in a fixed-term deposit.
- Those unable to travel during the process who prefer to act through a special power of attorney.
Key figures
The numbers and timelines that matter
- Real estate
- US$300,000 free of liens, held for at least 5 years
- Securities market
- US$500,000 or more in securities acquired through an authorized brokerage house, held for at least 5 years
- Fixed-term deposit
- US$750,000 or more at a Panamanian bank with a general license, free of liens, for a minimum term of 5 years
- Dependents
- US$1,000 to the National Treasury for each dependent under 12
- Estimated timeline
- 30 to 45 business days
- Outcome
- Direct permanent residency
Documentation
Required documents
Every foreign document must be submitted translated into Spanish and legalized through an apostille or Panamanian consular authentication.
- Evidence of the chosen investment, free of liens and in the applicant's name.
- For pre-construction real estate: an irrevocable trust or advance payment with a bank guarantee.
- For the securities market: certification from the authorized brokerage house that executed the purchase.
- For the fixed-term deposit: certification from the Panamanian bank holding a general license.
- Personal documents: passport, photographs and official forms.
- Apostilled or authenticated criminal record certificate.
- Health certificate issued in Panama.
- Special power of attorney in favor of a Panamanian lawyer, if the process will be handled without your physical presence.
How we work
The process, stage by stage
Choosing the option
We review your profile and define which of the three investment options fits and how to structure it.
Completing the investment
The purchase, securities acquisition or deposit is executed and the certifications evidencing it are obtained.
Filing by power of attorney
The permanent residency application is filed with the immigration authority, with or without your presence in Panama.
Decision and annual review
Once residency is granted, we support the annual evidence that the investment remains in place.
Additional considerations
- The reduced US$300,000 real estate threshold remains in force indefinitely under Decree 193 of 2024.
- The resident must demonstrate each year that the investment is still in place.
- Law 493 of 2025 allows qualified investors to apply for a special passport or travel document, extendable to their dependents. It does not grant citizenship and does not replace the passport of origin.
- After 5 years of permanent residency, naturalization may be requested.
The amounts, timelines and requirements on this page summarize the immigration rules in force at the time of review and may change by decree. This information is general, does not constitute legal advice and does not guarantee approval of any application: each case must be assessed individually.
Content reviewed in July 2026
Let us assess whether this category fits your case
Schedule an initial assessment and receive an honest review of your eligibility, along with the documents you would need.