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 approximately 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 


The costs include the visa and residency processes and costs, residency cards and Panama ID cards.  Our fees are standard flat rates provided the clients have provided us with the normal and correct documents required for the procedures with its correct apostille where required. 

The costs do not include any business registration or setup expenses, banking fees or real estate transfer fees. 

The costs do not include any travel, accommodation or additional expenses for your travels and stay in Panama


Please note that our flat rate costs for visas are structured according to average procedures provided that the client has supplied the normal amount and type of documents with the correct apostille authentication where required. In any event where the client has not acquired the correct apostille or has any supporting documentation outside of the normal process that requires translation, notary and/or authentication services, these costs may be invoiced separately as additional procedures need to be carried out that falls outside of the standard process. We ask all clients to please confirm documents and procedures with us.