Panama

From ~$5K — citizenship after 5 years’ legal residency.

Flexible Residency

Real returns

European access.

Overview

Panama offers one of the most flexible and business-friendly residency environments in the Western Hemisphere. Located at the crossroads of North and South America, and home to the Panama Canal, this dynamic nation has become a strategic hub for trade, finance, and global mobility. With a population of over 4.5 million and a U.S. dollar-based economy, Panama combines legal certainty, economic openness, and tax efficiency in a tropical, well-connected setting.
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The country enjoys a reputation for strong banking infrastructure, political stability, and investor-friendly policies. Its territorial tax system means that foreign-source income is exempt from local taxation—a major draw for entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and HNWIs. With direct flights to North America, Europe, and across Latin America, Panama is a true gateway to global opportunity and a highly regarded Plan B destination.

Why Panama?

Residency in Panama grants access to a low-tax, high-privacy jurisdiction with global connectivity, modern healthcare, and an easygoing lifestyle. Whether you're looking to establish a legal tax residency, relocate for lifestyle reasons, or build a gateway to Latin America, Panama offers clear, fast, and flexible residency options.
Panama has no wealth, inheritance, or capital gains tax on foreign income, making it ideal for wealth planning and offshore structuring. Its migration options require minimal physical presence, allow for family inclusion, and are backed by a stable legal framework and a long-standing tradition of welcoming international residents.
Explore how Panama can anchor your mobility, privacy, and financial freedom strategy.

Discover how Panama can fit into your global strategy.

Panama Qualified Investor Visa (QI)

A fast-track permanent residency option for those who want to invest in Panama’s real estate or capital markets.

Qualifying Investments:

$300,000+ real estate purchase (title held for at least 5 years)
$500,000 in Panama Stock Exchange securities
$750,000 in a fixed-term bank deposit (CD)

Highlights

Permanent residency granted in 30–90 days
No physical presence required to maintain status
Includes spouse and dependent children
Real estate can be personal use or rental property
Potential path to Panamanian citizenship after 5 years

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Friendly Nations Visa (FNV)

An accessible and flexible residency option for citizens of over 50 approved countries, including the U.S., UK, EU member states, and many Latin American nations.

Eligibility Requirements:

Citizenship of a "friendly nation"
Start or acquire a business, or
Employment contract, or
Real estate ownership (no minimum value)
Real estate ownership (no minimum value)
Proof of financial solvency (~$5,000 in a Panamanian bank account)

Advantages

Initial 2-year temporary residency, followed by permanent residency
Low cost, minimal bureaucratic burden
No fixed income or investment minimum (if via employment or business setup)
Includes spouse and children
Excellent option for digital nomads, early retirees, or small business owners

Panama - Investment

Panama’s investment residency program offers global investors a fast-track path to permanent residency in a stable, dollar-based economy with world-class banking infrastructure. Known for its territorial tax system, low cost of living, and high standard of healthcare, Panama serves as a strategic hub for business, retirement, and asset protection.

Key Benefits

Permanent residency in as little as 30 days

No global income tax—only Panamanian-sourced income is taxed

Stable U.S. dollar economy with modern infrastructure

Full family inclusion under one application

Path to citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence

Requirements

To qualify for Panama’s Qualified Investor program, applicants must:

Choose one of the following investment options:

Real Estate Investment:

Minimum USD 300,000 in titled Panamanian property

Must be held for a minimum of 5 years

Bank Deposit:

Minimum USD 750,000 3-year fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian bank

Securities Investment:

Minimum USD 500,000 in Panama Stock Exchange-approved securities

Provide a clean criminal record

Show legal source of funds

Complete health check and submit background documents

Additional government, due diligence, and processing fees apply.

Application Process

Consultation & Planning

Work with Harper Greene to select the best qualifying investment route

Investment & Documentation

Make qualifying investment and gather required documents (passport, police report, bank references, etc.)

Application Submission

Submit through Panama’s National Immigration Service (SNM)

Temporary Residency

Receive temporary permit while application is under review

Permanent Residency Issuance

If approved, receive permanent residence within 30–90 days

Path to Citizenship

After 5 years, apply for Panamanian citizenship (Spanish language proficiency required)

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Minimum Stay Requirements

No physical presence required to maintain permanent residency

But to apply for citizenship after 5 years, substantial ties and residence in Panama will be required

Residency card renewal every 2 years (minimal local activity needed)

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Panama Residency Through Investment

Fast, flexible, and secure Latin American residency for global investors and families.

Panama’s Qualified Investor Program combines legal predictability, favorable tax treatment, and regional access—making it a strong option for both relocation and long-term planning.

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Invest from USD 300K in real estate or securities

Visa-free travel to 145+ countries, incl. China & UK

Full family eligibility included

No global income tax (territorial system)

Potential Return on Investment

Minimal stay

ath to citizenship after 5 years

Pathways to Portugal

Investment

Enterpreneurship

Panama - Business

Panama’s business migration options offer foreign nationals the ability to incorporate and operate a business, while gaining residency in a tax-friendly, strategically located jurisdiction. Whether you’re establishing a regional office, relocating a family business, or starting a new venture, Panama combines low barriers to entry with a clear legal pathway to residency and long-term permanence.

Key Benefits

Residency through incorporation and operational setup

100% foreign ownership allowed

Territorial tax system – no taxation on foreign income

Easy access to U.S., Latin America, and Caribbean markets

Path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship

Requirements for Applicants

To qualify for residency through business formation in Panama, applicants must:

Incorporate a business in Panama (typically a “Sociedad Anónima” or SA)

Demonstrate the business has economic activity in Panama

Show minimum paid-in capital of USD 160,000

Hire at least 5 Panamanian employees and register with the social security system

Submit a business plan, proof of funds, and clean criminal background

Apply under the “Business Investor Visa” or “Friendly Nations Visa” category (if eligible)

Application Process

Incorporation & Legal Setup

Establish a Panamanian company with assistance from Harper Greene and legal partners

Prepare Business Case

Draft a simple business plan outlining the economic activity and hiring plan

Submit Application

File visa request through Panama’s immigration service

Temporary Residency

Receive provisional status while review is completed

Permanent Residency

Approved applicants receive permanent residency (usually within 6–9 months)

Citizenship Eligibility

After 5 years of residence, applicants may apply for citizenship (requires Spanish proficiency and local ties)

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Minimum Stay Requirements

No strict stay requirement to maintain business residency

However, some presence may be required for renewals and for citizenship eligibility

Must maintain business operations and legal hiring minimums to retain status

Learn More

Build and Thrive in St. Lucia

Caribbean enterprise gateway with global reach and citizenship potential

St. Lucia’s enterprise route provides a business-focused pathway to second citizenship—ideal for entrepreneurs seeking Caribbean access and tax efficiency, with no physical stay requirement.

Visa-free access to 145+ countries, including the UK, EU Schengen, and Singapore

Citizenship eligibility through enterprise investment (USD 3.5M solo / USD 6M joint)

Full family inclusion (spouse, dependents, parents)

No tax on global income and no wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes

No relocation required — 100% remote-friendly application and maintenance

Establish, Operate, Reside in Panama

Entrepreneur residency in Latin America’s financial capital

Launch a company and gain long-term legal status in one of the world’s most flexible business environments.

With low taxation, simple incorporation rules, and full ownership rights, Panama offers a business-friendly ecosystem for foreign entrepreneurs seeking both commercial opportunity and lifestyle flexibility.

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Company formation with 100% foreign ownership

Full family residency through principal applicant

Low corporate and territorial tax regime

Fast-track to permanent residency

Potential Return on Investment

Minimal stay

Maintain global flexibility & dual citizenship

Pathways to Portugal

Investment

Enterpreneurship

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the visa and billing.

Who is eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who make a qualifying investment in Portugal and meet the legal requirements may apply.
2. What are the current qualifying investment options?
€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the current qualifying investment options?

€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the minimum stay requirements?

Golden Visa holders must spend:
14 days in Portugal during the first 2-year period
21 days over the following 3-year period

Can I include family members in my application?

Yes. The program allows inclusion of a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents under the same application.

Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

Yes. After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet basic requirements, such as language proficiency and ties to Portugal.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Get in touch

Trusted expertise

Our Track Record

With over 25 years of collective experience, Harper Greene is a trusted advisory firm specializing in global citizenship and residency solutions. We offer bespoke investment strategies to businesses, families, and high net-worth individuals - seamlessly integrating immigration solutions with corporate structuring, legal, tax, and other regulatory considerations.

Our multidisciplinary approach ensures clients receive comprehensive, compliant, and future-ready advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the visa and billing.

Who is eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

What are the current qualifying investment options?

€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the minimum stay requirements?

Golden Visa holders must spend:
14 days in Portugal during the first 2-year period
21 days over the following 3-year period

Can I include family members in my application?

Yes. The program allows inclusion of a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents under the same application.

Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

Yes. After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet basic requirements, such as language proficiency and ties to Portugal.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Get in touch

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