Panama Friendly Nations Visa — guide for American citizens
US is one of 50+ Panama Friendly Nations. Permanent residency in 30 days via employment, own business, or real estate purchase ($200K+). Requirements, costs, and step-by-step process.
Panama Friendly Nations Visa — guide for American citizens
The Friendly Nations Visa is one of the fastest paths to permanent residency in Latin America. US is one of 50+ eligible Friendly Nations. 2021 changes: opening a bank account is no longer enough — now requires real economic activity.
Three paths to qualify (choose ONE)
Path 1: Real estate purchase
- Minimum: $200,000 USD in Panama real estate
- Must be mortgage-free in your name
- Property can be residential, commercial, or land
Path 2: Panamanian company
- Create or acquire a Panamanian company
- Show real activity (not shell company)
- Panamanian employees (at least 1)
Path 3: Employment with Panamanian company
- Employment contract with Panama-registered company
- Minimum salary per Panama law
- Contract registered with MITRADEL
The process
- Preliminary in US: FBI background + apostille; book Panama migration attorney
- Travel to Panama as tourist (90 days no visa for US)
- Choose path: close property purchase / form company / sign employment contract
- Submit to Servicio Nacional de Migración with full dossier + fees
- Wait 30-60 days for resolution
- Receive permanent resident card (valid indefinitely) + Panama E-cédula
Rights and restrictions
✅ Permanent residency, real estate, banking, study, can work with separate permit ❌ Cannot work without separate work permit, cannot vote (citizens only)
Total costs
- Migration attorney (essential): $4,000-$8,000 USD
- Migration fees: $2,000 USD
- Apostilles + translations: $300-$500 USD
- Medical certificate: $150 USD
- Total: $7,000-$12,000 USD (NOT including property purchase or company capital)
Taxation
Panama has territorial regime:
- Income generated IN Panama: taxed in Panama
- Income generated OUTSIDE Panama: NOT taxed in Panama
Excellent for US expats with pensions, Social Security, US dividends.
Path to Panamanian citizenship
After 5 years as permanent resident: naturalization (basic Spanish + history exam, no serious criminal record).
Panama allows dual citizenship — keep US passport + add Panamanian.
Official source: Servicio Nacional de Migración
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- USCIS Form I-407 — abandonment of LPR status — formal renunciation procedure
- IRS tax obligations as a US citizen abroad — citizens file regardless of residence
- Social Security totalization agreements — avoiding double SS coverage
- Find an international tax attorney — for renunciation and exit-tax cases
- Consulate of your destination country — pre-departure documentation
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.