How to Get the Panama Friendly Nations Visa in 2026: Updated Guide

A Door Open for 50 Nations

If you are a citizen of one of the 50 friendly countries, you have access to one of the most agile and attractive migration routes in Latin America: the Friendly Nations Visa Panama, also known as the Residence Permit under the Friendly Nations Agreement.

This immigration category allows you to live and work legally in Panama, with a clear path to permanent residency and, eventually, Panamanian citizenship. In this guide, prepared by Legalys, a firm specialized in Panamanian immigration law with over 25 years of experience, you will find everything you need to know to start your process with confidence.

1. What is the Friendly Nations Visa in Panama and who can apply for it?

The Friendly Nations Visa in Panama is a migratory subcategory created by Executive Decree 343 of 2012 and modified in 2021. It is aimed at citizens of nations that maintain friendly, professional, economic, and investment relations with the Republic of Panama.

Is your country on the list of Panama's Friendly Countries?

The Executive Decree 226 of July 20, 2021 currently recognizes 50 nations under this category:

🌍 Países Amigos	🌍 Países Amigos	🌍 Países Amigos
🇦🇩 Andorra	🇫🇷 Francia	🇳🇿 Nueva Zelanda
🇦🇷 Argentina	🇬🇷 Grecia	🇳🇱 Países Bajos
🇦🇺 Australia	🇭🇺 Hungría	🇵🇾 Paraguay
🇦🇹 Austria	🇮🇪 Irlanda	🇵🇪 Perú
🇧🇪 Bélgica	🇮🇱 Israel	🇵🇱 Polonia
🇧🇷 Brasil	🇯🇵 Japón	🇬🇧 Reino Unido
🇨🇦 Canadá	🇱🇻 Letonia	🇨🇿 República Checa
🇨🇱 Chile	🇱🇮 Liechtenstein	🇰🇷 República de Corea (Corea del Sur)
🇨🇾 Chipre	🇱🇹 Lituania	🇸🇲 San Marino
🇨🇷 Costa Rica	🇱🇺 Luxemburgo	🇷🇸 Serbia
🇭🇷 Croacia	🇲🇹 Malta	🇸🇬 Singapur
🇩🇰 Dinamarca	🇲🇽 México	🇿🇦 Sudáfrica
🇸🇰 Eslovaquia	🇲🇨 Mónaco	🇸🇪 Suecia
🇪🇸 España	🇲🇪 Montenegro	🇨🇭 Suiza
🇺🇸 Estados Unidos	🇳🇴 Noruega	🇺🇾 Uruguay
🇪🇪 Estonia	🇫🇮 Finlandia

2. Who can apply for this permit?

2.1 Principal Applicant

Any national of a friendly country who wishes to legally settle in Panama to work, invest, or reside. The program includes three qualification pathways:

a) For work reasons If you have a job offer from a company established in Panama. You will need a notarized employment letter, a certificate of Public Registry from the employer company, and a copy of the work permit submitted to the Ministerio de Trabajo (MITRADEL).

b) By investment in real estate If you own or acquire a property in Panama with a minimum value of $200,000 USD, either personally, through a legal entity where you are the ultimate beneficiary, or through a private interest foundation.

c) By fixed-term deposit If you maintain a deposit in a Panamanian bank with a general license for a minimum amount of $200,000 USD, free of encumbrance and with a minimum term of 3 years.

2. Main benefits of the Residence Permit for Friendly Countries

This category stands out for its flexibility and the multiple benefits it offers:

• Temporary residence of 2 years (PPT-PE): Initial validity that allows you to reside, work, and move freely.
• Path to permanent residency (PPP-PE): After completing 2 provisional years, you can apply for indefinite residency.
• Work Permit: Processable before the Ministerio de Trabajo (MITRADEL), on one's own account or on behalf of others, in any sector permitted to foreigners.
• Broad family inclusion: Spouse, children (up to 25 years old if they are students and single), and dependent parents.
• Access to citizenship: After 5 years as a permanent resident, you can apply for Panamanian naturalization.
• Agile timeline: The process takes approximately 4 to 6 months from submission to approval.

4. Dependents included in the Friendly Countries Visa

The permit allows the inclusion of the direct relatives of the holder:

• Spouse, by means of marriage certificate
• Children under 18 years old
• Children between 18 and 25 years old, as long as they are single, full-time students, and financially dependent
• Parents and legal guardians

5. Documentary requirements to apply for the Residence Permit for Friendly Countries

These are the requirements that the main applicant must present:

5.1 General documents (all applicants)

• Notarized power of attorney and application (the power of attorney must include the names and nationalities of the applicant's parents))
• Three (3) recent photographs
• Properly certified copy of the passport (notarized or authenticated)
• Criminal Record Certificate
• Health Certificate (issued by a qualified physician in Panama))
• Certified check for B/.250.00 in favor of the National Treasury
• Certified check for B/.800.00 in favor of the National Migration Service
• Affidavit of Personal Background Form

5.2 Additional documents according to the qualification route

For work reasons:

• Letter of employment on letterhead, notarized, with position, salary, and commitment to repatriation
• Certificate of Public Registration of the employer company
• Copy of the Company's Operation Notice (or justification according to Law 5 of 2007)
• Copy of the power of attorney and application submitted to MITRADEL

For real estate investment:

• Certificate from the Public Registry certifying the property of the real estate (minimum $200,000 USD)

For fixed-term deposit:

• Bank certification that verifies the deposit (minimum $200,000 USD, valid for 3 years, free of encumbrance)

For dependents:

• Letter of Responsibility of the Principal Resident
• Marriage certificate or birth certificate according to the relationship
• For children over 18 and under 25: full-time student certification + affidavit of single status

CLegalys advice: Documents issued abroad must be apostilled (countries of the Hague Convention) or legalized through consular means. Those not in Spanish require official translation by a Certified Public Translator in Panama. A poorly authenticated document is the most common cause of delays..

6. The Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Eligibility verification and initial counseling

Before gathering documents, confirm that your nationality is on the list of friendly countries and determine the qualification route that best applies to your situation (employment, investment, or deposit).

Legalys offers a free initial consultation to assess your case, guide you on the most appropriate course of action, and provide you with a realistic timeline.

Step 2: Preparation and authentication of the file

This is the most critical stage. All documentation is gathered, authenticated, and organized. Errors in this phase lead to rejections and delays of months.

The Legalys team manages this process comprehensively, with legal review of each document before submission..

Step 3: Presentation to the SNM

The lawyer formally submits the file to the National Migration Service. Only a qualified Panamanian lawyer can carry out this procedure. The corresponding government payments are made, and the file number is obtained..

Step 4: Issuance of the processing card (up to 5 days)

Once the complete file has been received and verified, the SNM issues the Processing Card within a maximum period of 5 business days. This document certifies that the process is underway and allows the applicant to remain legally in the country..

Step 5: Obtaining the provisional permit (2 years)

With the approved file, the Provisional Resident Permit is issued for a period of two (2) years. During this time, the resident can live, work (if applicable), and develop their life in Panama..

Step 6: Application for Permanent Residence

Upon the expiration of the provisional period, the application for Permanent Residence (PPP-PE) is submitted. The requirements are the same as those for the provisional permit, with the exception of the Criminal Background Certificate and government checks.

6. How much does the Friendly Nations Visa cost in Panama?

At Legalys, there are no surprises: the price includes absolutely everything you need to obtain your visa.

Type of applicant	Main applicant
Application fee	$1,600
Administrative expenses	$1,400
Summary of administrative expenses	All expenses are included in this fee: Check to the National Treasury (US$250); 1 Check to the National Migration Service (US$800), Notary Fees for Documents, Fees, and Migration processing and residency card (US$35)0)

Costo Total: $2,000

They include legal representation by qualified Panamanian lawyers, preparation and review of the file, presentation before the SNM, and active case monitoring through our digital platform.

All rates include ITBMS.

Your residency in Panama begins with the right step

The Panama Friendly Nations Visa represents a strong opportunity for citizens of 50 nations seeking migratory stability, access to the labor market, and quality of life in one of the most dynamic countries in Latin America.

With the right guidance, the process is predictable, orderly, and successful. 

The Friendly Nations Residence Permit is one of the most accessible and stable ways to obtain permanent residency in Panama. At Legalys, we guide you every step of the way.

✅ Evaluation of your case ✅ Complete file management ✅ Real-time tracking from your portal ✅ No surprises: $1,100 everything included

 👉 [Agenda tu consulta con Legalys hoy mismo →]

Limited spots per week. Your process starts with the first call..

En Legalys contamos con mas de 20 anos de experiencia y una tasa de exito del 99.9% en este tipo de tramites. Agenda una consulta gratuita y comienza hoy tu proceso hacia la residencia permanente en Panama.

Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)

1. ¿Puedo aplicar si vivo fuera de mi país de origen? Sí. Cualquier ciudadano de un país amigo puede solicitarlo, sin importar dónde resida actualmente. Solo es obligatorio presentarse físicamente en Panamá.

2. ¿Mi pareja puede incluirse aunque no sea de un país amigo? Absolutamente. Los dependientes (cónyuge, hijos, padres) pueden ser de cualquier nacionalidad y recibirán residencia provisional simultáneamente con el solicitante principal.

3. ¿El permiso de trabajo se otorga automáticamente con la residencia? No. El Permiso de Trabajo es un trámite separado ante MITRADEL, aunque puede gestionarse en paralelo con la residencia.

4. ¿Qué pasa al finalizar los 2 años de residencia provisional? Debes presentar la solicitud de Residencia Permanente (PPP-PE), demostrando que se mantienen las condiciones originales. Una vez aprobada, es de vigencia indefinida.

5. ¿Puedo trabajar remotamente para una empresa extranjera estando en Panamá? Sí. Generalmente, si no hay contrato laboral con una empresa panameña, no se requiere permiso de trabajo de MITRADEL. Sin embargo, es recomendable evaluar las implicaciones fiscales de cada caso particular.

---

Let's talk...

Talk completely for free with one of the lawyers from Legalys about this process.

First and Last Name *

Mobile numberl

Your email *

Asunto *

Enviar

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute direct legal advice. Panamanian immigration laws and regulations may change. Please consult your specific case with an attorney specialized in Panamanian immigration law..

Author: Legalys Editorial Team — A firm specialized in Immigration Law in Panama with over 10 years of experience and fully digitized processes for the best customer experience.