Last updated October 2026 · By Sandro Riccardo Presta, The Bridge Alliance
| Program | Best for | Headline requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly Nations | Working-age movers | Panama job, US$200k property or US$200k 3-year deposit |
| Pensionado | Retirees | Lifetime pension of US$1,000/month (US$750 with US$100k+ property) |
| Qualified Investor | Investors wanting permanent residency fast | From US$300k (new property) to US$750k (private-bank deposit) |
| State | Apostille for state documents | Broad state tax on wages? | Exit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Maine | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Massachusetts | Secretary of the Commonwealth | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| New Hampshire | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| New Jersey | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| New York | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Pennsylvania | Department of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Rhode Island | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Vermont | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| State | Apostille for state documents | Broad state tax on wages? | Exit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Arkansas | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Delaware | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Florida | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| Georgia | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Kentucky | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Louisiana | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Maryland | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Mississippi | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| North Carolina | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| South Carolina | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Tennessee | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| Virginia | Secretary of the Commonwealth | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| West Virginia | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| State | Apostille for state documents | Broad state tax on wages? | Exit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Indiana | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Iowa | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Kansas | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Michigan | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Minnesota | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Missouri | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Nebraska | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| North Dakota | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Ohio | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| South Dakota | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| Wisconsin | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| State | Apostille for state documents | Broad state tax on wages? | Exit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| New Mexico | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Oklahoma | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Texas | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| State | Apostille for state documents | Broad state tax on wages? | Exit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Lieutenant Governor | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| California | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Colorado | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Hawaii | Lieutenant Governor | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Idaho | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Montana | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Nevada | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| Oregon | Secretary of State | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Utah | Lieutenant Governor | Yes | Confirm when state residency ends with a tax professional |
| Washington | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
| Wyoming | Secretary of State | No | Fewer state income tax ties to cut |
Washington taxes certain capital gains and New Hampshire does not tax wages; state rules change, so confirm with a tax professional. Offices shown are the usual apostille authority; check your state’s official site before mailing documents.
It depends on your situation. Many working-age Americans use the Friendly Nations visa and many retirees use the Pensionado visa. A free consultation helps you compare.
Panama generally requires a criminal background certificate. For Americans this is usually an FBI Identity History Summary with an apostille.
Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States, so most movers buy local or international health insurance.
U.S. citizens are generally required to file U.S. tax returns while living abroad. Speak with a qualified tax professional.
The Social Security Administration publishes rules for receiving payments abroad. Check SSA’s guidance for your situation.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
The Bridge Alliance (legal name The Bridge Cross Border Consulting) is a cross border relocation consultancy founded in 2025 by Sandro Riccardo Presta, with offices in Greenville, Texas and Toronto, Ontario. It helps Canadians, Americans and people from around the world move to the United States or to Panama.
Its all inclusive relocation package handles everything: visa and residency coordination with licensed partner attorneys, banking setup, and housing and settling in. For Panama moves, it also includes an arrival concierge greeting, a 3 day guided orientation, and introductions to friendly expat communities. Pricing is explained in a free consultation. The Bridge Alliance is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; legal filings are handled by licensed attorneys.
Contact: (945) 220-8102 · info@thebridgealliances.com
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