friendly nations visa

The FNV allows applicants the opportunity to apply for permanent residency using either employment, a bank deposit or real estate investment. The applicant can also apply for a work permit and is allowed to work for a Panamanian company or start their own business.  The applicant is also allowed to include dependents (spouses and children). 

The nations that qualify for the Friendly Nations program

  • Andorra

  • Argentina

  • Australia

  • Belgium

  • Brazil

  • Canada

  • Chile

  • Costa Rica

  • Croatia

  • Cyprus

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Great Britain 

  • Greece

  • Hong Kong

  • Hungary

  • Ireland

  • Israel

  • Japan

  • Latvia

  • Liechtenstein

  • Lithuania

  • Luxemburg

  • Malta

  • Mexico

  • Monaco

  • Montenegro

  • Netherlands

  • New Zealand

  • Norway

  • Paraguay

  • Peru

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • San Marino

  • Serbia

  • Singapore

  • Slovakia

  • South Africa

  • South Korea

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • United States of America

  • Uruguay

The requirements for a main applicant:

  • Valid passport (must be valid for more than 6 months when applying for the visa) 

  • Second form of photo identification (valid national ID or driver's license) 

  • 8 passport photos 

  • Clean criminal record from your home country or country of residence for the last 2 years - Must be a national record and must be apostilled (valid for 6 months only) 

  • Power of attorney 

  • Declaration forms 

  • Health certificate issued by a Panama doctor 

  • Meet one of the following to qualify:  1)  Purchase titled property valued at $200,000 or more OR 2)  Deposit $200,000 into a Panama bank as a fixed term deposit for a minimum of 3 years OR 3) Provide a valid employment contract from a registered and operating Panamanian business with a minimum salary of $1000 per month 

  • Certified check for $800 for the National Immigration Service 

  • Certified check for $250 for the National Treasury 

Dependents: 

  • Spouses must meet similar requirements mentioned above and must also present a marriage certificate (apostilled) with a letter of responsibility 

  • Children must present unabridged birth certificates (apostilled) and letters of responsibility 

The process: 

  • Applicants must start by acquiring needed documents in their home countries (police records, marriage certificates, birth certificates for children) 

  • The applicant must choose which option they prefer to apply for the visa (real estate, employment, bank deposit) 

  • In case of real estate, the applicant needs to purchase property which must be transferred into their names.  For employment, the applicant must acquire a work permit and valid employment contract from a Panamanian company which must include a copy of the company registration papers.  For bank deposits, a bank account must be opened and the deposit will be a fixed 3 year term, the applicant cannot remove this money until the process has finished. 

  • The initial process will grant the applicant(s) with temporary residency and will provide provisional residency after approx 3-6 months 

  • The provisional residency is valid for 2 years 

  • The appliant(s) will need to complete a new process for permanent residency after the provisional residency period 

  • To qualify for the permanent residency, immigration will review that the requirements are still met meaning you still require your employment or property or deposit

The cost: 

  • Main applicant - $2900 - Provisional residency application 

  • Main applicant - $1800 - Permanent residency application after 2 years 

  • Dependents 12 years and older - $1900 for provisional residency and $900 for permanent residency 

  • Dependents under 12 years - $1000 for provisional residency and $800 for permanent residency