Immigration Law

Qualified investor in Panama

Explore Panama residency options, common documents, application stages and eligibility. Practical guide with expandable programs and FAQs.

Updated: October 2026

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A practical guide to eligibility, financial requirements, documentation and checks before applying.

Qualified investor

Qualified investor

Who may qualify?

Investors seeking direct permanent residence through an eligible investment.

Amount or financial condition

New first-sale property: US$300,000; resale property or securities: US$500,000; fixed deposits: US$500,000 in designated state banks or US$750,000 in qualifying private banks.

What does this mean in practice?

These amounts are qualifying investments, not total filing costs. Property thresholds differ between first-sale and resale properties. Executive Decree 17 of September 8, 2026 introduced specific conditions.

Documents to prepare

Investment certifications, property or bank records, source-of-funds trail and official documents.

Before applying

Verify property category, eligible institution, holding period and certifications.

Understanding the amounts

The figures describe qualifying capital, deposits or income, not the price of residency. Government fees, translations, legalization, banking expenses and professional fees are separate.

Typical application stages

The first step is to review nationality, family or professional ties and evidence of eligibility. The applicant then prepares legalized or apostilled records, files the application and responds to any official requests.

Dependents and employment

Dependent eligibility follows the specific program rules. Residence does not itself grant authorization to take local paid employment; work-permit requirements must be assessed separately.

Frequently asked questions

Is the stated amount a payment to immigration? No. An investment or deposit is qualifying capital subject to legal conditions. Is approval automatic? No. The authority assesses the application.

Investment routes compared

New first-sale propertyUS$300,000
Resale propertyUS$500,000
Eligible securitiesUS$500,000
Eligible state-bank fixed depositUS$500,000
Eligible private-bank fixed depositUS$750,000

Framework: Executive Decree 17 of September 8, 2026. Source of funds, investment certification and holding obligations must be verified.

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