Tourist entry without a visa: The United States is on Panama's visa exempt list. A tourist may not work for a Panamanian employer or serve Panamanian clients. Tourists who decide to stay can apply for a change of migratory category from inside Panama (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 239). Overstaying the stamped period draws fines on exit.
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Living in Panama long term
Panama admits US passport holders for up to 180 days as tourists and runs one of the deepest residence menus in the region. The pensionado category grants permanent residence for life on a lifetime pension of USD 1,000 a month and adds the statutory discounts of Law 6 of 1987, while Friendly Nations, economic solvency, the macro business and reforestation categories run 2 years provisional and then permanent. The Qualified Investor category grants permanent residence directly, since September 2026 under Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026, with new first sale real estate from USD 300,000, and a short stay remote work visa covers 9 months plus one 9 month extension on USD 3,000 a month of foreign income.
Numbers on this page apply to holders of a US passport. Page last verified: 2026-10-15
Rules change. Confirm the current rules with the official source or the consulate for Panama before you apply, pay a fee, or book travel around a date in this table.
Every route, with the math
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| Route | Income required | Investment required | Total cost | Processing time | Days allowed | Renewal rules | Tax residency trigger | Years to permanent residency | Years to citizenship | Last verified | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist entry without a visa Tourist allowance | No visa and no income test. At entry, officers can require an onward or return ticket and proof of economic solvency; the migration regulation uses a floor of USD 500 for tourist solvency (Decreto Ejecutivo 320 de 2008). | Not applicable | No visa fee for US passport holders. | Issued at the port of entry. | Up to 180 days per entry for US passport holders. The days written on the entry stamp control the stay. Most other visa exempt nationalities receive 90 days. | Not extendable as of right. Leaving and re-entering starts a new admission at the officer's discretion. Anyone who wants to live in Panama applies under a residence category instead. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home (vivienda habitual) in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). A single 180 day tourist stay stays under the 183 day line by itself. Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | Tourist status does not lead to permanent residence and tourist time does not count toward it. | Tourist time does not count toward the 5 years of residence naturalization requires. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Short stay visa as a remote worker (digital nomad visa) Digital nomad | Income from a foreign source of at least USD 3,000 per month, USD 36,000 per year, from an employment contract with a foreign transnational company or from self employed remote work for foreign clients (Decreto Ejecutivo 198 de 2021). | Not applicable | USD 250 payable to the Servicio Nacional de Migración, plus USD 50 for the visa card (Decreto Ejecutivo 198 de 2021, as published in the Servicio Nacional de Migración requirements sheet). | No official processing time is published for this visa. | 9 months per grant (Decreto Ejecutivo 198 de 2021, Article 1, as published in the Servicio Nacional de Migración requirements sheet). | One extension of 9 additional months, on a fresh filing that meets the same requirements again (Decreto Ejecutivo 198 de 2021, Article 5). No further extensions, and the visa does not convert into residence. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). The visa itself is a non-resident status, and under Panama's territorial system foreign source remote work income is not taxed in Panama. | This visa does not lead to permanent residence and its time does not count toward it. Holders who want to stay apply under a residence category. | Time on this non-resident visa does not count toward the 5 years of residence naturalization requires. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Pensionado (permanent residence for retirees and pensioners) Retirement | A lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month from a foreign government, an international organization or a private company, plus USD 250 per month for each dependent. Two spouses may combine their pensions to reach the test. If the applicant owns Panamanian real estate bought for more than USD 100,000 in their own name, the pension floor drops to USD 750 per month (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 200 and 201). | Not applicable, except for the optional property variant in the income field: real estate of more than USD 100,000 lets a pension of USD 750 per month qualify. | Pensionado applicants are exempt from the standard USD 250 Tesoro Nacional application fee and from the USD 800 repatriation deposit charged in most residence categories (Servicio Nacional de Migración pensionado guidance). Only card and minor administrative fees apply. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published. Servicio Nacional de Migración communications put the pensionado process at about 6 months from filing to resolution (reported). | Permanent residence with no expiry. The status is granted for life while the lifetime pension continues (Law 6 of 1987 and Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 200 to 203). | No renewal; the residence is indefinite. It can be cancelled if the holder is absent from Panama for more than 2 years without authorization from the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 31), and it depends on the pension remaining in payment. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Panama taxes only Panamanian source income, so the foreign pension itself is not taxed in Panama. | 0 years. Permanent residence is the status granted on approval; no provisional period comes first. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. The period is 3 years if the applicant is married to a Panamanian or has children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Rentista Retirado (permanent residence on deposit interest) Passive income | Income of at least USD 2,000 per month coming exclusively from interest on a fixed term deposit held at the Banco Nacional de Panamá or the Caja de Ahorros, free of liens, under Law 9 of 1987 (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 196). The deposit principal is whatever sum generates that interest at the bank's rate; the law tests the interest, not a fixed principal. | A fixed term deposit at the Banco Nacional de Panamá or the Caja de Ahorros large enough to yield USD 2,000 per month in interest, held for at least 5 years (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 196). | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published for this category. | This is a permanent residence category (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 196 to 199). The qualifying deposit itself must run for a minimum term of 5 years. | No renewal of the status itself. Permanencia is confirmed on the Article 199 filing, which requires a national tax clearance (paz y salvo). Permanent residence can be cancelled after an absence of more than 2 years without authorization (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 31). | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Deposit interest paid by Panamanian banks is Panamanian source income; foreign source income is not taxed. | Permanent residence is the category itself; no prior temporary residence period is required. The permanencia filing under Article 199 requires the deposit to be in place and a national tax clearance. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. The period is 3 years if the applicant is married to a Panamanian or has children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Friendly Nations (Países Amigos) permanent residence Other | No income test. The applicant shows one of the qualifying links in the investment field, or, under the employment option, a work contract with a Panamanian company and the corresponding work permit from the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL). | One of three options (Decreto Ejecutivo 197 de 2021, as amended by Decreto Ejecutivo 226 de 2021): buy real estate in Panama for at least USD 200,000 (any amount above that may be financed with a local bank loan); or open a fixed term deposit of at least USD 200,000 in a Panamanian bank for a minimum term of 3 years; or no investment, under the employment option. | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración, for each applicant aged 12 or over (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees and, on the employment option, MITRADEL work permit fees. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published. A provisional residence card is issued while the application is decided. | Provisional residence for 2 years, then permanent residence with no expiry (Decreto Ejecutivo 197 de 2021, as amended by Decreto Ejecutivo 226 de 2021). | At the end of the 2 year provisional period the holder applies for permanent residence, proving the employment, property or deposit is maintained. After permanent residence there are no renewals, but the status can be cancelled after an absence of more than 2 years without authorization (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 31). | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | 2 years of provisional residence, then permanent residence. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. The period is 3 years if the applicant is married to a Panamanian or has children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Qualified Investor (Inversionista Calificado) permanent residence Investor | Not applicable | One of the following, with funds from abroad (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026): new real estate on a first sale from the developer, at least USD 300,000; secondary market real estate, at least USD 500,000; a purchase promise contract of at least USD 300,000, with the money held in a licensed trust or paid to the developer against a bank guarantee; eligible Panamanian securities through a licensed brokerage, at least USD 500,000 held for 5 years; or a fixed term deposit held for 5 years, at least USD 500,000 at the Banco Nacional de Panamá or the Caja de Ahorros, or at least USD 750,000 at a private general license bank. | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees. Adding a new dependent after the grant costs USD 1,000 to the Tesoro Nacional and USD 1,000 to Migración per person (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026, Article 17). Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | The program runs through a special MICI window: the investment certification is due within 15 business days of a complete file, and Migración must resolve the residence application within 30 business days of the complete file (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026). The application may be filed through an attorney before the investor enters Panama. | Permanent residence with no expiry, granted directly with no provisional period (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026). | No renewal; the residence is permanent from the grant. The investment must be maintained for 5 years with annual proof to the MICI, and permanent residence can be cancelled after an absence of more than 2 years without authorization (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 31), or if the investment is dropped without an equal replacement. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). The DGI issues the tax residence certificate on proof of presence and ties. Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | 0 years. Permanent residence is granted directly on approval. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980). Qualified investors file the naturalization application through the MICI window, which certifies that the investment is still in place (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026, Article 14). Express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam are required. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Economic solvency (Solvencia Económica Propia) Investor | Not applicable | At least USD 300,000 of foreign funds in Panamanian real estate, in a fixed term deposit with a minimum term of 3 years at any general license bank, or in a combination of both, plus USD 2,000 of additional solvency for each dependent (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 191). Real estate must be held free of liens at the USD 300,000 level; value above that may be financed locally. | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published for this category. | Provisional residence for 2 years, then permanent residence with no expiry (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 191 to 193). | At the end of the 2 year provisional period the holder applies for permanencia, proving the investment is maintained. After permanent residence there are no renewals, subject to the 2 year absence rule in Decreto Ley 3, Article 31. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | 2 years of provisional residence, then permanent residence. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. The period is 3 years if the applicant is married to a Panamanian or has children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Macro business investor (Inversionista de Macro-Empresa) Investor | Not applicable | Paid in share capital of at least USD 160,000 per applicant in the applicant's own Panamanian company, which must trade under a notice of operations (Aviso de Operación) in activities not reserved to Panamanians, and must employ at least 5 Panamanian full time staff per applicant at no less than the legal minimum wage, registered with the social security fund (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 185 to 188). | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees and company formation and notice of operations costs. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published for this category. | Provisional residence for 2 years, then permanent residence with no expiry (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 185 to 190). | At the end of the 2 year provisional period the holder applies for permanencia with the company's tax returns, payroll proof and social security clearance (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 190). After permanent residence there are no renewals, subject to the 2 year absence rule in Decreto Ley 3, Article 31. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Business income produced in Panama is Panamanian source and is taxed; foreign source income is not. | 2 years of provisional residence, then permanent residence. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. The period is 3 years if the applicant is married to a Panamanian or has children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Reforestation investor (Inversionista Forestal) Investor | Not applicable | At least USD 80,000 invested, personally or through a company, in reforestation or forest plantation authorized by the national environment authority, on at least 20 hectares, plus USD 2,000 per dependent (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 180 to 182). | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published for this category. | Provisional residence for 2 years, then permanent residence with no expiry (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 180 to 184). A temporary variant also exists at USD 60,000 on at least 10 hectares (Article 100). | At the end of the 2 year provisional period the holder applies for permanencia with proof of spending on the project in the last year or of a live maintenance contract (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 184). After permanent residence there are no renewals, subject to the 2 year absence rule in Decreto Ley 3, Article 31. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | 2 years of provisional residence, then permanent residence. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. The period is 3 years if the applicant is married to a Panamanian or has children born in Panama to a Panamanian parent. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Work for a Panamanian employer (10 percent quota) Work | A salary of at least USD 850 per month is the floor the regulation writes for this category (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 79). The job must fall inside the employer's quota of 10 percent foreign ordinary staff (15 percent for expert or technical staff, Article 82), and the labor ministry must countersign the contract and issue the work permit. | Not applicable | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 28), plus residence card fees and MITRADEL work permit fees. Attorney fees are separate and are not set by the government. | No official processing time is published for this category. | Temporary residence tied to the job, granted in periods of up to 2 years while the employment and the MITRADEL work permit continue (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 79 to 81). | Renewed (prórroga) while the employment continues. Renewal requires proof of 9 consecutive social security payments and a national tax clearance for the applicant (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 81). | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). A Panamanian salary is Panamanian source income and is taxed in Panama in any case. | Not on this route alone. After the maximum temporary residence term the holder may request permanent residence where the category allows it, or change to a category that grants it (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 240). In practice most employees switch, for example to Friendly Nations, rather than convert this permit directly. | Naturalization requires 5 years of consecutive residence (Constitution, Article 10), in practice counted once the applicant holds permanent residence; see the permanent routes on this page. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Self employment and business ownership (Aviso de Operación) Other | Not applicable | Not applicable | Company formation and the notice of operations carry their own registry and municipal costs, which vary by activity. The residence category the owner uses carries the standard fees listed on its own route. | Not applicable | Not applicable. Registering a business grants no stay of its own; the owner lives in Panama under whichever residence category they hold. | Not applicable | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Business income produced in Panama is Panamanian source and is taxed; foreign source income is not. | Business ownership alone creates no path to permanent residence. The path runs through the residence category the owner qualifies under, for example Friendly Nations as an employee of the company, or the macro business investor category. | Business ownership alone creates no path to citizenship. The path runs through the owner's residence category and then the standard 5 years from permanent residence. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Marriage to a Panamanian citizen Other | No income test for the foreign spouse. The Panamanian spouse files a letter of responsibility and proof of their own income sources (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 222). | Not applicable | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional. The USD 800 repatriation deposit is waived for spouses of Panamanians (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Article 29, and Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 222). Residence card fees apply. | No official processing time is published for this category. | Provisional permit for 2 years, then permanent residence with no expiry (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Articles 220 to 223). | At the end of the 2 year provisional period the holder applies for permanent residence with a national tax clearance (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 223). After permanent residence there are no renewals, subject to the 2 year absence rule in Decreto Ley 3, Article 31. | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | 2 years of provisional permit, then permanent residence. | 3 years of consecutive residence if the marriage to the Panamanian spouse continues (Constitution, Article 10(b)); otherwise the standard 5 years from permanent residence. Express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam are required. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Dependents of residents (family reunification) Other | The sponsor proves solvency in one of three ways, including a tax return showing income of at least USD 1,000 per month plus USD 100 per dependent, a current work letter with social security record, or a bank reference of at least a mid four figure balance (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 225). | Not applicable | USD 250 application fee to the Tesoro Nacional plus a refundable USD 800 repatriation deposit to the Servicio Nacional de Migración for each dependent aged 12 or over (Decreto Ley 3 de 2008, Articles 28 and 29), plus residence card fees. | No official processing time is published for this category. | The dependent receives a permit matching the sponsor's status: dependents can attach to a 2 year provisional resident, a permanent resident or a Panamanian national (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 224). | Dependents renew and convert together with the sponsor's status; permanencia is requested on the same documents plus the sponsor's continued solvency (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 226). | More than 183 days in Panama in a calendar year, or in the immediately preceding year, or establishing a permanent home in Panama makes an individual a tax resident (Decreto Ejecutivo 958 de 2013). Panama taxes only Panamanian source income. | Dependents follow the sponsor: they reach permanent residence when the sponsor holds it or obtains it, on the permanencia filing in Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 226. | 5 years of consecutive residence counted from the grant of permanent residence (Constitution, Article 10, and Law 7 of 1980), with an express renunciation of the previous nationality and a Spanish language and Panamanian civics exam. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
Route notes
Short stay visa as a remote worker (digital nomad visa): This is a non-resident visa, not a residence permit. The holder may work remotely from Panama without any further permit, must hold medical insurance covering the stay, and signs a sworn declaration not to accept work or services inside Panama. It has no dependent category of its own. The application is filed at the Servicio Nacional de Migración special procedures window after entering Panama.
Pensionado (permanent residence for retirees and pensioners): There is no minimum age; the test is the lifetime pension, not age. Law 6 of 1987 adds a statutory discount package for pensionado residents: 50 percent on entertainment and on hotel stays Monday to Thursday (30 percent Friday to Sunday), 30 percent on domestic bus, boat and train fares, 25 percent on air tickets bought in Panama and on restaurant meals, 15 percent on fast food and on private hospital bills, 20 percent on medical consultations and 10 percent on medicines bought with a prescription. The law also allows a one time duty free import of household goods up to USD 10,000 and a duty free vehicle import every 2 years. Pensionado status does not authorize work in Panama.
Rentista Retirado (permanent residence on deposit interest): A legacy category built for people retired from working life whose income is deposit interest paid by Panama's two state banks, not a pension. Withdrawing the deposit inside the first 5 years, or breaching Law 9 of 1987, costs the holder the category's incentives and rights (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 197). It is separate from the pensionado route and far less used.
Friendly Nations (Países Amigos) permanent residence: The United States has been on the friendly nations list since the category was created in 2012. The current terms date from 2021: the original 2012 version, which asked only for a USD 5,000 bank deposit and an account, no longer exists. Decreto Ejecutivo 16 de 2026 added Ecuador to the list, which now covers 52 countries, and left the terms unchanged. Residence under this category does not itself authorize work; employees need the MITRADEL work permit, and many professions are reserved to Panamanians by law.
Qualified Investor (Inversionista Calificado) permanent residence: Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 8 de septiembre de 2026, in force since September 16, 2026, replaced Decreto Ejecutivo 722 de 2020 and its amendments, which had set all real estate at USD 300,000 after the 2024 change. Applications filed before the new decree keep the rules in force when they were filed. The investment must be held for 5 years and proven to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) every year; a replacement investment of equal value is allowed within 90 days. Status based only on purchase promise contracts cannot exceed 3 years in total. Holders of the older economic solvency category were given 12 months to convert into this category if they meet its amounts.
Economic solvency (Solvencia Económica Propia): This is the older own solvency category that predates the Qualified Investor program. Since September 2026 its holders have a 12 month window to convert into the Qualified Investor category if they meet the new decree's amounts (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026, transition rules). New applicants comparing the two should note the Qualified Investor grants permanent residence directly, while this category runs 2 years provisional first.
Macro business investor (Inversionista de Macro-Empresa): This is the classic own a real business route: the capital must be actually paid in, the shares nominative and in the applicant's sole name for the qualifying amount, and the payroll is checked again at the permanencia stage (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 190). Add USD 2,000 of investment or local bank solvency for each dependent (Article 187).
Reforestation investor (Inversionista Forestal): A legacy route. The category still stands in the migration regulation, but the forestry incentive law it was built around (Law 24 of 1992) was replaced by Law 69 of 2017, which removed most of the old incentives, and the route is little used today (reported). Anyone pricing it should get current advice on whether the environmental authority is registering new projects before committing capital.
Work for a Panamanian employer (10 percent quota): Residence and the work permit are separate approvals: Migración grants the residence and the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL) grants the work permit, and both are needed. Many professions, including medicine, law, engineering and retail trade, are reserved to Panamanians by law, which closes this route for those occupations regardless of the quota.
Self employment and business ownership (Aviso de Operación): There is no standalone self employment residence permit in Panama. A foreigner may own a Panamanian company and register its notice of operations (Aviso de Operación) through the Panama Emprende system of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, but ownership alone gives neither residence nor the right to work in the business: working in it requires a MITRADEL work permit, usually obtained as an employee of the company under a residence category such as Friendly Nations, or through the macro business investor category on this page. Retail trade is reserved to Panamanians under the Constitution, so a foreign owned company must trade in non reserved activities.
Marriage to a Panamanian citizen: Marriage to a Panamanian does not by itself grant residence (Decreto Ejecutivo 320, Article 221). The couple attends a marriage interview, and Migración may make home visits. The foreign spouse needs a work permit to work, unless they qualify as a pensioner. A spouse who is widowed or divorced during the provisional period and has children from the marriage may still apply for permanent residence (Article 223).
Dependents of residents (family reunification): Eligible dependents are the spouse, children under 18, dependent parents, and family members with a disability. Children aged 18 to 25 qualify if they study full time and are economically dependent, and must file a certificate of single status. Most residence categories on this page also admit dependents inside the main application, on their own per category terms; this route is the standalone reunification filing.