Friendly Nations Visa
in Panama
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Quick Path to Residency: Achieve residency in Panama swiftly, making it an ideal option for permanent living or a Plan B.
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Top Visa Choice: Among the most popular visa categories in Panama, available for individuals, families, or professionals from certain countries.
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Flexibility: Invest in real estate, a fixed-term deposit, or secure a job offer to qualify.
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Enhanced Opportunities: Gain even more opportunities with the option to request a work permit. This offers professionals the chance to work and live in Panama simultaneously.
Which Countries Qualify for Panama's Friendly Nations Visa?
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Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus
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America: USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
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Asia/ Africa: Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa
For Italians, there is a special residency program under the Convenio Panama Italia Visa.
Fast Residency in Panama -
Your Plan B or Permanent Move
Looking for a quick way to become a resident of Panama?
The Friendly Nations Visa option is one of the fastest routes, whether you want to live there permanently or have a backup plan.
Popular and Practical Visa Choice
This visa category is highly favored in Panama. It's open to individuals, families, and professionals who want to invest in real estate, set up a fixed deposit, or have a job offer.
More Possibilities with a Work Permit
For professionals aiming to work and live in Panama, there's an added benefit – the chance to apply for a work permit. This widens your horizons and gives you more options.
How to apply for the
Friendly Nations Visa
in Panama successfully
The Friendly Nations Visa lets citizens of specific countries apply for permanent residency, with the list including the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, USA, and more.
Initially, the Friendly Nations Visa offers a two-year residence permit in Panama. After this, and meeting the set criteria, applicants can apply for permanent residency. The visa is flexible, applying to individuals and families, including spouses and children under 25. It also allows for work permit and the Panamanian ID card (E cedula) application.
1 / Real Estate
To qualify for the Friendly Nations Visa through real estate investment, you need to purchase property in Panama investing at least US$200,000.
The property must be registered before the application submission and held for three years.
2 / Fixed-Term Deposit
For the Friendly Nations Visa using the fixed-term deposit option, you need to open a time deposit (Plazo Fijo) with a Panama bank, investing a minimum of $200,000 for a minimum term of three years. This can be done digitally, and current interest rates are around 5%.
3 / Job Offer
Proof of a job offer in Panama, where a work permit is also required from the Ministry of Labor.
4 / Bank Account
If you're applying as an individual, you don't need to open a bank account in Panama anymore. However, for married couples or families, having a bank account is still necessary (with a minimum balance of $5,000).
Keep in mind, you can't mix or change the investment options once you've chosen one. It's important to decide upfront.
Timeline and Schedule for Your Friendly Nations Visa Application
Required Documents for Friendly Nations Visa Application
To ensure a smooth application process, please email all required documents to our office in advance. This allows us to verify completeness and accuracy before proceeding.
1 / Police Clearance Certificate
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Must not be older than six (6) months.
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Must have an apostille (Canada Authentication from the Panamanian Embassy)
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If you have a middle name, make sure that the name stated on the document is the same as in your passport.
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All applicants must be of good repute.
Where do I get my Police Clearance Certficate?
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Germany: Bundesamt für Justiz (Führungszeugnis)
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Austria: Landespolizeidirektion Wien (Strafregisterbescheinigung)
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Switzerland: Bundesamt für Justiz (Privatauszug aus dem Schweizer Strafregister)
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USA: FBI (We recommend to use the services of a licensed Channeler to expedite the process)
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Canada: Royal Canadian Mounties (RCMP)
2 / Passport Photos
A total of five passport photos are required for the application.
3 /Valid Passport
Ensure your passport is valid for at least one more year.
4 / Marriage Certificate
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Current marriage certificate or extract from the marriage register.
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Must not be older than six (6) months.
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Must have an apostille (Canada Authentication from the Panamanian Embassy)
Where to apply?
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Germany: Standesamtsbehörde (Auszug aus dem Heiratseintrag)
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Austria: Standesamtsbehörde (Auszug aus dem Heiratseintrag)
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Switzerland: Zivilstandswesen (Auszug aus dem Eheregister)
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USA: State Vital Records Office (Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate)
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Canada: Depends on the province or territory where the event occurred.
5 / Birth Certificate (for CHILDREN ONLY)
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Current birth certificate or extract from the birth register.
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Must not be older than six (6) months.
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Must have an apostille (Canada Authentication from the Panamanian Embassy)
Where to apply?
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Germany: Standesamtsbehörde (Auszug aus dem Geburtenregister)
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Austria: Standesamtsbehörde (Registerauszug Geburt)
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Switzerland: Zivilstandswesen (Auszug aus dem Geburtenregister)
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USA: State Vital Records Office (Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate)
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Canada: Depends on the province or territory where the event occurred.
6 / Proof of domicile in Panama
Applying with your family or as a couple for the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama? Don't forget to include proof of residency in the country as part of your application
If you have any inquiries about the necessary documents, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to assist and provide answers to your queries, ensuring your understanding and guiding you through the process.
7 / Panama Bank Account
For married couples or families applying, ensure you include proof of a Panama bank account with a minimum balance of $5,000 as part of your application.
Find more information on opening a bank account here...
What is an Apostille?
The police clearance certificate, birth certificate and marriage certificate must be apostilled.
The term "apostille" originates from French and means "certification." It verifies the authenticity and acceptability of a document to a foreign government. The apostille is added or stamped onto the document, signifying its official status. This is particularly crucial if you intend to use the document in another country, such as applying for the Jubilado Pensionado visa in Panama.
Germany
Police Clearance Certificate: Bundesamts für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Please be aware that the processing time for your apostille might be extended at present. It's advisable to arrange for your police clearance certificate well in advance of your intended application to ensure timely preparation.
Birth Certificate/ Marriage Certificate: Regierungspräsidien or Bezirksregierung, Landesverwaltungsamt or Landesdirektion
Austria
Police Clearance Certificate: Bundesministerium für Inneres
Birth Certificate/ Marriage Certificate: Landesregierung (Vienna: Stadtservice Wien - Rathaus)
Switzerland
Kantonale Behörde and the Bundeskanzlei in Bern
USA
FBI Report/ Letter from Social Security: US Department of State
Birth Certificate/ Marriage Certificate: : Secretary of State
Canada
Documents must be authenticated by the closest Panamanian consulate/ embassy in Canada.
What Documents Does Our Office Prepare for You?
We'll ensure all necessary steps are executed correctly to facilitate a smooth processing of your application.
Full Copy of Passport
During your first visit to our office, we'll make a full copy of your passport and get it notarized. Our aim is to guide you through each step accurately, making sure your application goes smoothly.
State Application Fees
Cashier's check for $250 payable to the state treasury (application fee) per person. Additionally, a cashier's check for $800 payable to the National Immigration Service (repatriation deposit) per person is required. Kids under twelve don't need the $800 repatriation deposit.
We'll handle getting the cashier's checks, but it's important to pay these fees on time.
Translation of Documents
Kindly send us all your documents in advance via email. This will allow us to make sure that all required documents are promptly forwarded to the translation agency for timely preparation of translations.
Power of Attorney,
Formal Application, and Declaration of Liability
(for Families/Married Couples Only)
We handle all the required paperwork on your behalf. During your first visit to our office, you'll sign the documents, and we'll have them notarized. This thorough approach ensures that all your documents are accurate and legally valid, facilitating a seamless application process for your Friendly Nations Visa in Panama.
Health Certificate
Our office will handle all the essential steps to ensure your health certificate meets the criteria for your Friendly Nations Visa application in Panama.
Affidavit and Forms
We'll send you all the necessary documents in advance, available in either German or English. Our team will take care of organizing these documents accurately, ensuring they're complete for your Friendly Nations Visa application in Panama. If you have any queries or need assistance, we're here to guide you through the entire process
