BRIDGES · Citizenship and residency programs

Panama FriendlyNations Visa

Panama, friendly nations

Panama Friendly Nations Visa — a Panama residence permit for citizens of friendly nations through economic ties or an investment.

Residence permitfriendly nations
USDPanama’s currency
to PRthe further path
  • 4 min read
  • Updated: July 2026
  • BRIDGES Research Team
In brief — 30 seconds
What it is
Panama Friendly Nations Visa — a Panamanian residence permit for citizens of friendly nations
Who it is for
Citizens of countries on Panama’s list of friendly nations
Through what
Economic ties (a job, a company) or an investment
Advantage
A path to PR, the US dollar as currency, a business hub
Can you prepare
Yes: check eligibility and choose the grounds

In plain words

The Panama Friendly Nations Visa is Panama’s residence permit programme for citizens of so-called “friendly nations” — states on a special list with which Panama has good relations. Their citizens have a simplified route to residence, which makes Panama one of the convenient residence options in Latin America.

The grounds for the visa are economic or professional ties with the country: employment with a Panamanian company, registering your own business, or an investment (in real estate or a bank deposit of a set amount, for example). The specific requirements have been updated, so it is important to rely on the current conditions. The residence permit extends to the family.

Panama is attractive for its use of the US dollar as the national currency, its role as a regional business and logistics hub and its territorial tax system. The programme gives a residence permit with the prospect of moving to PR and then to citizenship, subject to the conditions. We help check your eligibility for the programme, choose the grounds and obtain the status.

Who Panama’s visa suits

Citizens of countries friendly to Panama
Residence in Latin America
Registering a business in Panama
A base in a dollar economy
Status for the whole family
Path to permanent residence and citizenship

What matters about Panama’s visa

Who it is for
  • Friendly nations
  • A list of states
  • A simplified route
Grounds
  • A job with a company
  • Your own business
  • Investments
Advantages
  • The US dollar
  • A business hub
  • Territorial tax
Keep in mind
  • The conditions have been updated
  • The current rules
  • Path to permanent residence

How to get a residence permit

  1. 01Checking eligibility and grounds
  2. 02Preparing documents
  3. 03Filing the application
  4. 04Review
  5. 05Residence permit and a path to PR

What you need to know

  • A visa for citizens of countries friendly to Panama
  • The grounds are economic ties or an investment
  • Panama uses the US dollar as its currency
  • A territorial tax system
  • The residence permit gives a path to PR and citizenship

Common mistakes

  • Not checking whether your country is on the list
  • Relying on the programme’s outdated requirements
  • Choosing the grounds without regard to your situation
  • Not evidencing the economic tie or investment
  • Not planning the move to PR in advance

What this means for a BRIDGES client

We handle Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa end to end: we check your eligibility for the programme, choose the grounds (a job, a business or an investment) under the current rules and obtain residence permits for the family. We help you establish yourself in a dollar economy and the region’s business hub, with a path to PR and citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

01 /What is the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

Panama’s residence permit programme for citizens of “friendly nations” on a special list, who have a simplified route to residence.

02 /Who can obtain the visa?

Citizens of countries on the list of states friendly to Panama. The first thing we check is whether your country is on this list.

03 /What grounds are needed?

An economic or professional tie: a job with a Panamanian company, your own business or an investment (real estate, a deposit) of a set amount.

04 /What makes Panama attractive?

Its use of the US dollar as currency, its role as a regional business hub and its territorial tax system. The residence permit leads to PR.

05 /Does it extend to the family?

Yes, the status is granted to the applicant and family members. We include the family in the process.

06 /Does the visa lead to citizenship?

As a path: the residence permit gives the right to move to PR and then to naturalisation, subject to the conditions and periods of residence.

See also

Read next

Anna Kovalevskaya
AuthorAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Sergey Evdokimov
Reviewed bySergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES
Updated
July 2026
Version
1.0
Scheduled review
January 2027
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Residence in Panama?

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