Discover how Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa can open doors for your Immigration Services in Panama.

Panama, a country of economic growth and outstanding quality of life, offers a unique opportunity for foreigners who wish to live and work in this beautiful country. The Friendly Nations Visa of Panama is a program designed to facilitate the obtaining of permanent residence for citizens of allied nations and promote cultural and economic exchange. In this article, we will explore the advantages of this program and how the law firm in Panama, Delvalle & Delvalle, can assist you in the process.

What is Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa?

Currently, the visa has three modalities to apply for permanent residence under this visa;

Application for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for work-related reasons. 

Application for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for investment in real estate in Panama. 

Application for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for opening a fixed-term deposit in a bank in Panama.

What do you do if you need to apply for a Friendly Nations Visa along with your dependents?

Application for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for Work Reasons

A foreigner who wishes to apply for this visa must be employed by a company with the legal authority.

Similarly, the foreigner may establish a company in Panama (a Panamanian company), be the sole shareholder or part of the board of shareholders, and be employed by this entity. The company must process an operation notice and submit its corresponding income statements.

This option is tied to obtaining a work permit, which must be approved by the Ministry of Labor so that the National Immigration Service can approve the two-year resident card. Once the two years have passed, one can apply for permanent residency and acquire a Panamanian identity card.

Phase I

First Step – Formation of the Corporation. 

Suppose the client opts to apply under the work reasons category and has yet to establish a company to hire them. In that case, they must form a corporation in Panama, under which the contractor company modality will be managed through a work contract.

The applicant can start the formation procedures before their trip, as everything can be done remotely. We encourage the client to begin with this step.

Our law firm is an expert in corporate matters, so we can advise on the best way to form a corporation in Panama to meet immigration requirements.

It is a fundamental requirement that the client act as a shareholder of said corporation. Additionally, the corporation will need to process an operation notice and register appropriately at the Municipality of Panama, which are procedures that our office will carry out.

Second Step – Introduction to Opening a Bank Account in Panama for Dependents. 

This step is only mandatory if the primary applicant will include their dependents in the application. Dependents must be members of the immediate family, a spouse with whom they are married, and children up to 25.

Likewise, if the visa applicant does not have dependents, they will most likely require a bank account in Panama, for which we will provide the complete bank introduction service.

It is advisable, especially for those with dependents, to open a bank account before traveling to Panama to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa, as the bank certification demonstrating the required amount for dependents is a fundamental requirement. The opening process for personal accounts can take between 4 and 7 business days, depending on the bank where the account is opened.

Third Step – Affiliation / Submission of the Friendly Nations Visa Application / Acquisition of In-process Resident Card / Acquisition of a Multiple Entry Visa to Enter and Leave the Country as a Resident in Process.

It is important to note that, to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa, the principal applicant and their dependents must travel to Panama with all required documentation and remain in the country until the in-process resident card is granted. This process can take between seven (7) and ten (10) business days, so it is advised that the applicant plans their trip with a stay of at least ten (10) business days.

Before the visit to Panama, an initial meeting will have already been arranged at the offices of Delvalle & Delvalle to review the documentation and the other dates when the applicant will need to attend the national immigration service.

The first visit to the national immigration service will be for the affiliation procedure, which must be completed before applying for the Friendly Nations Visa.

After the affiliation process is completed, work will begin on the file, and the application for the in-process resident permit will be submitted for three (3) months.

When the national immigration service accepts the application, the applicant is automatically granted the in-process resident card, valid for three (3) months. The applicant must return to the national immigration service for the card’s photograph to be taken.

After the applicant obtains their in-process resident card, a multiple entry and exit visa is obtained so that the applicant can enter and leave the country as a resident without losing their immigration status.

Once Phase I is completed, the applicant may return to their country if required.

Phase II

First Step – Provisional Approval for a Two (2) Year Residency under the Friendly Nations Visa Modality / Obtaining a Provisional Card for Two (2) Years. 

After the in-process resident permit has been approved, the applicant and their dependents (if applicable) must travel again to Panama to obtain the provisional card, valid for two (2) years. They must visit the National Migration Department to get it.

Second Step – Application for a Work Permit. Since this application modality is linked with a work permit, the applicant must also go to the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development to apply for the corresponding work permit, which is required to approve the definitive residency permit.

Once the aforementioned is completed, Phase II of the process will have ended.

Phase III

First Step – Final Approval of the Friendly Nations Visa / Obtaining a Permanent Residency Card. 

After the two-year provisional permit has expired, the applicant and their dependents (if applicable) will automatically receive the permanent residency immigration card.

They must visit the National Migration Department to obtain it.

Second Step – Application and Acquisition of the Panamanian Identity Card as a Foreign Resident in Panama. 

One must visit the Electoral Tribunal to obtain the identity card.

It is recommended that if the applicant does not reside in Panama, they stay between ten (10) and fifteen (15) business days to complete this procedure phase.

requirements and Documents to Apply for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for Work Reasons

Document to bring from your country of residence:

• Police records are issued in the applicant’s country of origin or the country where they have continuously lived for the last two years.
• If the applicant provides a police report from a country where they are residents, the applicant must provide legal resident identification that is authenticated or apostilled.
• Immigration authorities require that the police record be authenticated by a Panamanian Consul issuing the document or Apostille.
• This document must be presented to the principal applicant and any dependents, if applicable.
• Marriage certificate (only if dependents are applying). Immigration authorities require that a Panamanian Consul authenticate the document in the country that issued the document or by Apostille.
• Birth certificate in case some minor children will apply as dependents.

Document to be processed in Panama once you travel for the application:

• Power of attorney (notarized) and application.
• Three (3) photographs (for both the principal applicant and dependents).
• A notary in Panama duly authenticated a copy of the passport (for both the principal applicant and dependents).
• Health Certificate.
• A certified check for B/.250.00 in favor of the National Treasury.
• A certified check for B/.800.00 in favor of the National Immigration Service. Personal Background Affidavit Form.
• Document demonstrating the purpose for establishing residency according to the economic activity to be carried out. a) For work reasons:
  1. Job Letter on company letterhead, signed by the company’s legal representative, stating position and salary, and Repatriation (Notarized).
  2. Certificate of Public Registry of Panama of the employing company.
  3. Copy of the Operation Notice of the Employing Company, if not available, justification as established by Law 5 of 2007 (Notarized).
  4. Copy of the power and Application of the permit previously submitted to MITADEL, signed by the legal representative and applicant.

Application for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for Investment in Real Estate in Panama.

A foreigner who wishes to apply under this modality must acquire a property in Panama for a minimum of US$200,000.00 (TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS). If the value of the property purchased exceeds the required investment, the excess can be financed through a mortgage loan.

The property can be registered in the applicant’s name and in the name of a corporation in Panama where the applicant is a shareholder or a private interest foundation in Panama where the applicant is the principal beneficiary.

At Delvalle & Delvalle, lawyers in Panama, we can offer the service of:

• Incorporating legal entities such as corporations in Panama, private interest foundations in Panama, and limited liability companies in Panama to hold the property above.
• Searching for properties that fit your budget and taste, as we have a department specialized in real estate.
• Negotiating and processing purchase and sale contracts and representing the buyer.
• A provisional residency permit is granted for two (2) years when applying for a visa. After this period, one can apply for permanent residency and obtain a Panamanian identity card.

Phase I

First Step – Formation of a Legal Entity for the Optional Purchase of the Property. 

Immigration law allows the property to be in the name of the visa applicant (i.e., in their name) and in the name of a legal entity, whether a corporation in Panama or a private interest foundation.

If acquired through a corporation, the applicant for the Friendly Nations Visa must act as the corporation’s sole shareholder. If acquired through a private interest foundation, they must be the sole beneficiary.

Second Step – Acquisition of the Property in Panama for a Value of No Less Than US$200,000.00. 

The main requirement is that the applicant acquires the property free of mortgage liens.

The property transfer can be a delicate and complicated process if not handled with comprehensive advice from an expert.

Delvalle & Delvalle has specialist lawyers who provide advice related to property research in all necessary government entities, represent the buyer to the seller, and draft or review the purchase contract to safeguard the buyer’s best interests.

The property transfer process must be completed before applying for a visa. One essential requirement is to present the property ownership certification of the property in Panama in the application.

Third Step – Affiliation / Submission of the Friendly Nations Visa Application / Acquisition of In-process Resident Card / Acquisition of a Multiple Entry Visa to Enter and Leave the Country as a Resident in Process. 

To apply for the visa, the principal applicant and their dependents must travel to Panama with all required documentation and remain in the country until the in-process resident card is granted. This process can take between seven (7) and ten (10) business days, so it is advised that the applicant plans their trip with a stay of at least ten (10) business days.

Before the visit to Panama, an initial meeting will have already been arranged at the offices of Delvalle & Delvalle to review the documentation and the other dates when the applicant will need to attend the national immigration service.

The first visit to the national immigration service is for the affiliation procedure, which must be completed before applying for a resident visa.

After the affiliation process is completed, work will begin on the file, and the application for the in-process resident permit will be submitted for three (3) months.

When the national immigration service accepts the application, the applicant is automatically granted the in-process resident card, valid for three (3) months. The applicant must return to the national immigration service for the card’s photograph to be taken.

After the applicant obtains their in-process resident card, a multiple entry and exit visa is obtained so that the applicant can enter and leave the country as a resident without losing their immigration status.

Once the aforementioned is completed, Phase I of the process will have ended, and the client may return to their country.

Phase II

First Step – Provisional Approval for a Two (2) Year Residency under the Friendly Nations Visa Modality / Obtaining a Provisional Card for Two (2) Years. 

After the in-process residency permit has been approved, the applicant and their dependents (if applicable) must travel again to Panama to obtain the provisional card, valid for two (2) years. They must visit the National Migration Department to get it.

Phase III

First Step – Final Approval of the Friendly Nations Visa / Obtaining the Permanent Resident Card. After the two-year provisional permit has expired, the applicant and their dependents (if applicable) will automatically receive the permanent residency migration card.

They must visit the National Migration Department to obtain it.

Second Step – Application and Acquisition of the Panamanian Identity Card as a Foreign Resident in Panama. They must visit the Electoral Tribunal to obtain it.

Requirements and Documents for Applying for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for Investment Reasons in a Property in Panama

Documents to be brought from the applicant’s country of residence:

• A criminal record certificate issued in the applicant’s country of origin or the country where they have lived for the last two years.
• Suppose the applicant provides a criminal record report from a country where they are not nationals but residents. In that case, the applicant must provide legal resident identification that is authenticated or apostilled.
• The immigration authorities require that a Panamanian Consul authenticate the criminal record in the country that issued the document or by Apostille.
• This document must be presented to the principal applicant and any dependents, if applicable.
• Marriage certificate (only if dependents are applying): The immigration authorities require that a Panamanian Consul authenticate the document in the country that issued it or by Apostille.
• Birth certificate for any minor children who will apply as dependents.

Documents to be processed in Panama once travel for the application has occurred:

• Power of attorney (notarized) and Application.
• Three (3) photographs (for both the principal applicant and dependents).
• A notary in Panama duly authenticated a copy of the passport (for both the principal applicant and dependents).
• Health Certificate.
• A certified check for B/.250.00 in favor of the National Treasury.
• A certified check for B/.800.00 in favor of the National Migration Service. Personal Background Affidavit Form.
• Public Registry Certificate of Panama that proves the property of the real estate, personally in the name of the applicant, a legal entity in which the applicant is the final beneficiary of the shares, or founder and final beneficiary of a private interest foundation valued at a minimum of $200,000.00.

Application for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for Opening a Time Deposit in a Bank in Panama.

A foreigner wishing to apply under this modality must open a time deposit in a bank in Panama for a minimum amount of US$200,000.00 (TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS), free of encumbrances, for a minimum period of 3 years.

Upon visa application, a provisional residency permit is granted for two (2) years. After this period, one can apply for permanent residency and acquire a Panamanian identity card.

Phase I

First Step – Forming a Legal Entity for Opening the Fixed Deposit (Optional). 

Immigration law allows the fixed deposit to be in the visa applicant’s name (i.e., in their name) or the name of a legal entity, whether a corporation in Panama or a private interest foundation.

If the fixed deposit is in the name of a corporation, the applicant for the Friendly Nations Visa must act as the corporation’s sole shareholder.

If it is through a private interest foundation, they must act as the sole beneficiary.

Second Step – Open a Fixed Deposit in a Bank in Panama for an amount not less than US$200,000.00 for a Minimum Period of Two (2) Years, Which Must Be Free of Encumbrances. 

Opening an account in Panama can take five (5) to ten (10) business days.

At Delvalle & Delvalle, lawyers in Panama, we can advise on everything related to opening accounts.

We recommend initiating the process before the client’s trip to Panama to apply for the Friendly Nations Visa. The entire process can be done remotely, so ideally, once the applicant travels to the country, the bank certification should already be obtained.

Our bank introduction service includes:

• Recommending the bank that best suits the applicant’s needs.
• Filling out banking forms.
• Tracking the process until the account is opened.

Third Step – Affiliation / Submission of the Friendly Nations Visa Application / Acquisition of In-process Resident Card / Acquisition of a Multiple Entry Visa to Enter and Leave the Country as a Resident in Process. 

It is important to note that, to apply for the visa, the principal applicant and their dependents must travel to Panama with all required documentation and remain there until the in-process resident card is granted.

The period this process takes can be between seven (7) to ten (10) business days, so it is advised that the applicant plans their trip with a stay of at least ten (10) business days.

Before the visit to Panama, an initial meeting will have already been arranged at the offices of Delvalle & Delvalle to review the documentation and the other dates when the applicant will need to attend the national immigration service.

The first visit to the national immigration service is for the affiliation procedure, which must be completed before applying for a resident visa.

After the affiliation process is completed, work will begin on the file, and the application for the in-process resident permit will be submitted for three (3) months.

When the national immigration service accepts the application, the applicant is automatically granted the in-process resident card, valid for three (3) months. The applicant must return to the national immigration service for the card’s photograph to be taken.

After the applicant obtains their in-process resident card, a multiple entry and exit visa is obtained so that the applicant can enter and leave the country as a resident without losing their immigration status.

Once the aforementioned is completed, Phase I of the process will end, and the client may return to their country.

Phase II

First Step – Provisional Approval for a Two (2) Year Residency under the Friendly Nations Visa Modality / Obtaining a Provisional Card for Two (2) Years. 

After the in-process residency permit has been approved, the applicant and their dependents (if applicable) must travel again to Panama to obtain the provisional card, valid for two (2) years. They must visit the National Migration Department to get it.

Phase III

First Step – Final Approval of the Friendly Nations Visa / Obtaining the Permanent Resident Card. 

After the two-year provisional permit has expired, the applicant and their dependents (if applicable) will automatically receive the permanent residency migration card.

They must visit the National Migration Department to obtain it.

Second Step – Application and Acquisition of the Panamanian Identity Card as a Foreign Resident in Panama. 

They must visit the Electoral Tribunal to obtain it.

Requirements and Documents for Applying for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama for Opening a Fixed Deposit in a Bank in Panama

Documents to bring from your country of residence:

• A criminal record certificate is issued in the applicant’s country of origin or where they have lived for the last two years.
• Suppose the applicant is providing a criminal record from a country where they are not a national but a resident. In that case, the applicant must provide legal resident identification, which must be authenticated or apostilled.
• The immigration authorities require that a Panamanian Consul authenticate the criminal record in the country that issued the document or by Apostille.
• This document must be presented to the principal applicant and any dependents, if applicable.
• Marriage certificate (only if dependents are applying): The immigration authorities require that a Panamanian Consul authenticate the document in the country that issued it or by Apostille.
• Birth certificate for any minor children who will apply as dependents.

Documents to be processed in Panama once travel for the application has occurred:

• Power of attorney (notarized) and Application.
• Three (3) photographs (for both the principal applicant and dependents).
• A notary in Panama duly authenticated a copy of the passport (for both the principal applicant and dependents).
• Health Certificate.
• A certified check for B/.250.00 in favor of the National Treasury.
• A certified check for B/.800.00 in favor of the National Migration Service. Personal Background Affidavit Form.
• A certificate from a general license bank operating in the national territory confirms the existence of the fixed-term deposit valued at $200,000.00, free of encumbrance, with a validity of 3 years.

What do you do if you need to apply for a Friendly Nations Visa along with your dependents?

For each dependent, the applicant must add TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS (US$2,000.00) to the investment, which can be deposited in a bank account or be a direct part of the investment.

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, you need to provide:

• Letter of responsibility
• Proof of kinship; marriage certificate, birth certificate (duly authenticated by Apostille)
• If over 18 years old, a certificate of single status and certified studies must be presented.
• Take the first step towards a promising future in Panama.
• The Friendly Nations Visa of Panama offers a unique opportunity to start a new life in a country full of possibilities and growth. The law firm Delvalle & Delvalle in Panama is here to help you at every step of the process, ensuring that you meet all the requirements and providing the necessary support to achieve your goals. Don’t wait any longer; contact Delvalle & Delvalle today and start planning your future in Panama.