Friendly Nations Visa Panama is one of the most popular residency programs for citizens of over 50 countries.

Key Advantages of the Friendly Nations Visa

50+ Eligible Countries

Open to citizens of Europe, Americas, Asia, and Africa (see full list below).

Flexible Investment Options

Choose what works for you: real estate, fixed-term deposit.

Optional Work Permit

Professionals can work and live in Panama simultaneously with an optional work permit.

Family Inclusion

Spouse and children under can be included in your application.

Program Overview

This Friendly Nations Visa Panama program overview explains the residency process, investment options and timelines.

Residency Type

Temporary (2 years) → Permanent

$200,000 USD (real estate or fixed deposit)

Real job offer from a Panamanian company

✓ Optional

Spouse and children under 25

3 years minimum

Approximately 3-4 months (per application)

Temporary (2 years) → Permanent

$200,000 USD (real estate or fixed deposit)

Real job offer from a Panamanian company

✓ Optional

Spouse and children under 25

3 years minimum

Approximately 3-4 months (per application)

Which Countries Qualify?

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

USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa

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

USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa

Invesment
Options

Choose the pathway that best suits your situation:

Option 1: Real Estate Investment

Why this option? Combine residency with a tangible asset investment in Panama’s growing real estate market.

$200,000 USD

Houses, apartments, commercial spaces, agricultural land

3 Years

$200,000 USD

Houses, apartments, commercial spaces, agricultural land

3 Years

Option 2: Fixed-Term Deposit (Plazo Fijo)

Why this option? Safe, liquid, and earns interest while you secure your residency. No property management required.

$200,000 USD

Panamanian bank

Minimum 3 years

Approximately 5%

$200,000 USD

Panamanian bank

Minimum 3 years

Approximately 5%

Option 3:
Job Offer

Why this option? Ideal for professionals with employment opportunities in Panama. No upfront investment needed.
Formal job offer from a Panamanian company

Must be processed through Ministry of Labor

Formal job offer from a Panamanian company

Must be processed through Ministry of Labor

Consideration Detail
❌ No Mixing You cannot combine or change investment options once you’ve chosen one. Decide upfront.
✅ Bank Account Requirement For individuals: not required. For married couples/families: required ($5,000 minimum balance).
⏱️ Holding Period All investments must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years.

Application Timeline


4 to 6 weeks

First contact with our law firm

Email us all documents in advance for review, as only complete applications can be submitted.

1st trip to Panama

Coordinate your dates with our office in advance.
Application
First appointment in our office, passport registration, formal application
Photo session immigration: temporary IMMIGRATION ID CARD and Multiply Visa
Personal presence required


3 to 4 months

Aplication Processing

Notification We collect your resolution for you.

2nd trip to Panama

Coordinate your dates with our office in advance.
Trip to Panama required
Photo session immigration: 2 YEAR IMMIGRATION ID CARD
Personal presence required

Required Documents: Complete Checklist

For the Main Applicant:

Must be valid for at least one more year

• Not older than 6 months
• Must have Apostille
• Name must match passport exactly

5 recent passport-sized photos

Issued by a licensed Panamanian doctor (we coordinate)

Must be valid for at least one more year

• Not older than 6 months
• Must have Apostille
• Name must match passport exactly

5 recent passport-sized photos

Issued by a licensed Panamanian doctor (we coordinate)

Additional Documents for Married Couples:

• Not older than 6 months
• Must have Apostille
• Certified copy or extract from marriage register

• Not older than 6 months
• Must have Apostille
• Certified copy or extract from marriage register

Additional Documents for Children:

• Not older than 6 months
• Must have Apostille
• Certified copy or extract from birth register

• Not older than 6 months
• Must have Apostille
• Certified copy or extract from birth register

Proof of Panamanian bank account with minimum $5,000 balance.

Proof of Panamanian bank account with minimum $5,000 balance.

Police Clearance Certificate

  

Country Issuing Authority
Germany Bundesamt für Justiz (Führungszeugnis)
Austria Landespolizeidirektion Wien (Strafregisterbescheinigung)
Switzerland Bundesamt für Justiz (Privatauszug)
USA FBI (use a licensed channeler for faster processing)
Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Marriage & Birth Certificates

  

Country Issuing Authority
Germany Standesamtsbehörde (Auszug aus dem Heiratseintrag/Geburtenregister)
Austria Standesamtsbehörde (Registerauszug)
Switzerland Zivilstandswesen (Auszug aus dem Eheregister/Geburtenregister)
USA State Vital Records Office
Canada Provincial vital statistics office

Understanding the Apostille

The Apostille is an international certification that authenticates your documents for use in Panama. Required for:

  • Police clearance certificate

  • Marriage certificate

  • Birth certificate (for children)

Where to Get Your Apostille by Country:

Bundesamt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten Regierungspräsidien or Bezirksregierung
Bezirkshauptmannschaften Bezirkshauptmannschaften
Cantonal authorities Cantonal authorities
U.S. Department of State (for FBI) or Secretary of State Secretary of State where issued
Global Affairs Canada (Authentication, not Apostille) Global Affairs Canada
Bundesamt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten Regierungspräsidien or Bezirksregierung
Bezirkshauptmannschaften Bezirkshauptmannschaften
Cantonal authorities Cantonal authorities
U.S. Department of State (for FBI) or Secretary of State Secretary of State where issued
Global Affairs Canada (Authentication, not Apostille) Global Affairs Canada

Important Note: Processing times for apostilles can vary. We strongly recommend starting this process early to avoid delays.

What We Prepare For You

Document Translation

We coordinate official translation of all documents

Application Forms

We prepare all forms (Affidavits, Power of Attorney, etc.) in advance for your signature

Health Certificate

We coordinate with certified Panamanian doctors

Investment Guidance

We help you navigate real estate purchase or fixed deposit setup

Full Representation

We submit and monitor your application throughout

FRIENDLY NATIONS VISA FEES

The Friendly Nations Visa is a two-step process

Step 1. Temporary residence (2-year card), then

The Friendly Nations Visa // First application (Single Applicant)

  • Legal fees (our services): from USD 2,080.00*
  • Government fees & basic expenses (per adult): approx. USD 1,649.00**

Couple (main applicant + spouse, same file)

  • Legal fees (our services): from USD 3,359.00 for both applicants together
  • Government fees & basic expenses: approx. USD 3,298.00** for both applicants together

Step 2. Permanent residence:

After holding temporary residence for two years, you may apply for permanent residence. This is not a simple renewal, but a second application with its own legal fees, government fees and expenses. We provide a tailored quotation for the permanent residence step once we have reviewed your situation and the chosen investment structure

Friendly Nations Visa Investment route only:

Our firm handles Friendly Nations Visa applications exclusively on the basis of genuine investments in Panama (for example qualified bank deposits or real estate investments). We do not work with employment structures that are created only on paper for immigration purposes. This includes:

  • nominal or purely formal employment contracts,
  • arrangements where an employer-employee relationship exists only to satisfy visa requirements, and
  • artificial “self-employment” or company setups used solely as a technical route to qualify.

If you are looking for a solid, compliant long-term structure in Panama, we will gladly advise you on suitable investment-based options.

What You’ll Pay: A Transparent Fee Breakdown

  1. Frist application: temporary residence (2-year card), then
  2. Second application: permanent residence.
  • Legal fees (our services): from USD 2,080.00*
  • Government fees & basic expenses (per adult): approx. USD 1,649.00**
  • Legal fees (our services): from USD 3,359.00 for both applicants together
  • Government fees & basic expenses: approx. USD 3,298.00** for both applicants together

*Legal services for real estate transactions and/or bank account opening are charged separately according to our respective fee schedules.

 

*Government fees and basic expenses are calculated per person by the Panamanian authorities and typically include immigration filing fees, notary fees, health certificate, residence cards and other related local expenses. Special (lower) expenses apply for children under 12 years of age. Third-party costs (such as translations, apostilles/legalisations in the country of origin) are not included and will be invoiced separately.

After holding temporary residence for two years, you may apply for permanent residence. This is not a simple renewal, but a second application with its own legal fees, government fees and expenses. We provide a tailored quotation for the permanent residence step once we have reviewed your situation and the chosen investment structure.

Friendly Nations Visa Investment route only:

Our firm handles Friendly Nations Visa applications exclusively on the basis of genuine investments in Panama (for example qualified bank deposits or real estate investments). We do not work with employment structures that are created only on paper for immigration purposes. This includes:

  • nominal or purely formal employment contracts,
  • arrangements where an employer-employee relationship exists only to satisfy visa requirements, and
  • artificial “self-employment” or company setups used solely as a technical route to qualify.

If you are looking for a solid, compliant long-term structure in Panama, we will gladly advise you on suitable investment-based options.

 

 

  1. Frist application: temporary residence (2-year card), then
  2. Second application: permanent residence.
  • Legal fees (our services): from USD 2,080.00*
  • Government fees & basic expenses (per adult): approx. USD 1,649.00**
  • Legal fees (our services): from USD 3,359.00 for both applicants together
  • Government fees & basic expenses: approx. USD 3,298.00** for both applicants together

*Legal services for real estate transactions and/or bank account opening are charged separately according to our respective fee schedules.

 

*Government fees and basic expenses are calculated per person by the Panamanian authorities and typically include immigration filing fees, notary fees, health certificate, residence cards and other related local expenses. Special (lower) expenses apply for children under 12 years of age. Third-party costs (such as translations, apostilles/legalisations in the country of origin) are not included and will be invoiced separately.

After holding temporary residence for two years, you may apply for permanent residence. This is not a simple renewal, but a second application with its own legal fees, government fees and expenses. We provide a tailored quotation for the permanent residence step once we have reviewed your situation and the chosen investment structure.

Friendly Nations Visa Investment route only:

Our firm handles Friendly Nations Visa applications exclusively on the basis of genuine investments in Panama (for example qualified bank deposits or real estate investments). We do not work with employment structures that are created only on paper for immigration purposes. This includes:

  • nominal or purely formal employment contracts,
  • arrangements where an employer-employee relationship exists only to satisfy visa requirements, and
  • artificial “self-employment” or company setups used solely as a technical route to qualify.

If you are looking for a solid, compliant long-term structure in Panama, we will gladly advise you on suitable investment-based options.

 

 

Frequently Asked
Questions

The initial document preparation can be done remotely, but you must visit Panama four times to complete the process.

 Once you choose an investment option and submit your application, you cannot switch. Choose carefully.

For fixed-term deposits, yes – after the 3-year holding period. For real estate, you own the property.

Yes, once your work permit is approved alongside your residency.

 You apply to convert your temporary residency to permanent residency, which has no expiration.

No. Our team works with you in English and German, and we handle all Spanish documentation.

The initial document preparation can be done remotely, but you must visit Panama four times to complete the process.

 Once you choose an investment option and submit your application, you cannot switch. Choose carefully.

For fixed-term deposits, yes – after the 3-year holding period. For real estate, you own the property.

Yes, once your work permit is approved alongside your residency.

 You apply to convert your temporary residency to permanent residency, which has no expiration.

No. Our team works with you in English and German, and we handle all Spanish documentation.

Why Choose Gomez Tomiczek for Your Visa?

Security.

20+ years of specialized experience in Panamanian immigration law. We’ve handled hundreds of cases successfully.

Clarity.

No “one-size-fits-all” approach. We explain every step in plain language and provide clear checklists.

Connection.

Consultations in English, German, and Spanish. Marie, an expat herself, understands exactly what you’re experiencing.

Agility.

We anticipate challenges before they arise. Our streamlined process moves your case forward efficiently.

Ready to Start Your Friendly Nations Journey?

Ready to Begin?

Your path to Panamanian residency begins here. Let our experienced team guide you through every step


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