Your Path to Panama Residency, Step by Step
How can you get residency in Panama?
Last updated October 29, 2026 · Reviewed by Sandro Riccardo Presta, founder of The Bridge Alliance
Sources: Servicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá; Panamá Digital, Pensionado permit. Requirements change; confirm current rules in a free consultation.
Guides: Friendly Nations · Pensionado · Qualified Investor · Move from the USA · Move from Canada · Route finder. Moving to the U.S. instead? See USA visas.
How We Help
Choose the right program
We match your nationality, income and goals to the visa that fits best.
We coordinate your file
Panamanian law requires a licensed Panamanian attorney to file for you. You sign a notarized special power of attorney, and we coordinate everything with our partner law firm in Panama.
You land and settle in
Health certificate, translations, sworn declaration and filing are handled with you when you arrive in Panama.
The Five Residency Programs
Best for: retirees with a lifetime pension.
- Minimum: US$1,000/month lifetime pension (US$750/month if you own Panamanian property worth more than US$100,000). Add US$250/month per dependent. U.S. Social Security and CPP/OAS qualify.
- You get: permanent residency from day one, plus retiree discounts set by law (for example 50% off entertainment, 30% off transport and some hotel stays, 20% off medical consultations).
- Typical timing: card in about 1 week; approval in 3–6 months. Full Pensionado guide →
Best for: retirees without a pension.
- Minimum: a 5-year fixed-term deposit at a Panamanian state bank (Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros) earning US$850–2,000 per month in interest.
- You get: permanent residency plus a special Panamanian passport (not citizenship), and the same retiree discounts.
Best for: citizens of the 51 listed countries (Ecuador was added by Executive Decree No. 16 of 2026), including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., EU countries, Australia, Mexico and Brazil.
- Show economic ties in one of three ways: a job with a Panamanian company, US$200,000+ in property, or a US$200,000 fixed-term bank deposit for 3 years.
- You get: 2 years of provisional residency, then permanent. Residency is not a work permit. Full Friendly Nations guide →
Best for: the fastest route to permanent residency.
- Minimum (Executive Decree No. 17 of 2026, in effect Sept. 16, 2026): US$300,000 in a new property from the developer; US$500,000 in a resale property; US$500,000 in eligible Panamanian securities; US$500,000 in a fixed-term deposit at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros (state banks); or US$750,000 in a fixed-term deposit at a private bank. Hold the investment for at least 5 years; funds must come from abroad.
- You get: permanent residency; dependents can be included.
- Typical timing: under Executive Decree No. 17 of 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries has up to 15 business days to issue the Investment Certification once your file is accepted, and Migración has up to 30 business days to issue its decision after receiving the complete file. Full Qualified Investor guide →
Also: Self-Economic Solvency Visa (Solvencia Económica Propia)
This program changed in 2026 and existing holders may convert to Qualified Investor; ask us whether it is still available for new applicants before relying on it.
Best for: nationalities not on the Friendly Nations list who like a land-based investment.
- Invest from US$80,000 in a certified forestry project (5+ hectares). The standard route is US$100,000+ for 2 years provisional then permanent; US$350,000+ gives direct permanent residency.
What Every Applicant Needs
- A valid passport (6+ months of validity)
- A criminal background check from your home country, issued within the last 6 months and apostilled
- A health certificate from a Panamanian doctor (we arrange it when you arrive to file)
- A sworn background declaration (we prepare it for you)
- Government fees: US$250 immigration category fee plus a US$800 repatriation deposit (the Qualified Investor visa has its own higher fees)
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependents
- Keep your status: enter Panama at least once every two years. Permanent residents can apply for naturalization after 5 years.
How It Works
Free 20-minute consultation
Book your free 20-minute call using our online calendar.
Choose your program
We choose your program and build your document checklist.
Travel to Panama to file
You travel to Panama to file; our partner law office handles filing, translations and the health certificate.
Receive your residency
Then we help you settle in (banking, housing, and more).
Who this is for, and how we work
Americans, Canadians and other Friendly Nations citizens, retirees with a pension, and investors who want Panama as a home base, not just a stamp in a passport.
From planning before you arrive, through filing in Panama, to settling in afterward: banking, housing and renewals.
The Bridge Alliance coordinates your move. A licensed Panamanian law firm files your application, and tax professionals in your home country handle your exit.
Panama's immigration decrees, including Decree 17 of 2026 for investors and Decree 16 of 2026 for Friendly Nations. We cite official sources on every guide.
Residency is not the same as tax residency
A Panama residence card lets you live in Panama. It does not by itself change where you pay tax. Americans are generally taxed on citizenship and keep filing U.S. returns, and Canadians must handle the CRA's rules for leaving Canada. We plan both together with your tax professional.
Our process
- Map: a free consultation to understand your passport, income, family and goals.
- Match: choose the residency route your facts support.
- Prepare: background checks, apostilles, translations and proof of funds.
- File: travel to Panama; our partner law firm files and you complete biometrics.
- Settle: banking, housing, health insurance and ongoing compliance.
WITH THE BRIDGE ALLIANCE
The Bridge Alliance All Inclusive Relocation Package
We handle the whole process: residency coordination with our partner attorneys, documents, apostille and translation guidance, and banking and housing help. You also get a personal concierge who greets you on arrival, a 3 day guided orientation of your new area, and introductions to friendly expat communities.
Package pricing is tailored to your family; ask in your free consultation.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Free tools
Continue across our guides
Detailed program guides
- Panama Pensionado (Retiree) Visa
- Panama Friendly Nations Visa
- Panama Qualified Investor Visa
- Move to Panama from the USA
- Move to Panama from Canada
Frequently asked questions
Which Panama residency program is right for me?
Retirees with a lifetime pension of at least US$1,000 per month often use the Pensionado visa; citizens of the 51 Friendly Nations countries can use the Friendly Nations visa with a Panama job, US$200,000 in property or a US$200,000 deposit; investors can use the Qualified Investor visa from US$300,000.
What are the Qualified Investor minimums in 2026?
Under Executive Decree No. 17 of 2026: US$300,000 new property, US$500,000 resale property, securities or state-bank deposit, and US$750,000 at a private bank, held for 5 years.
How many countries are on the Friendly Nations list?
51 countries as of September 2026, after Ecuador was added.
Do I need to travel to Panama to apply?
Applications are filed in Panama by a licensed Panamanian attorney, and applicants usually need to be in Panama for filing and biometrics.
Is The Bridge Alliance a law firm?
No. We are a relocation consultancy; licensed partner attorneys give legal advice and file applications. Start with a free consultation.
Last updated October 2026. Sources: Servicio Nacional de Migración, Executive Decree 17/2026, SNM Pensionado requirements. Requirements change; confirm in a free consultation.
Who we are
About The Bridge Alliance
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:
Visas & residency
Coordination with licensed partner attorneys.
Banking setup
Opening the accounts you need to get started.
Housing & settling in
Finding your home and getting settled.
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.