🏛️ Immigration & residency · data checked on 28 Oct 2026
Residency by investment: qualified investor (Golden Visa)
It is the fast track to permanent residency for people who invest in Panama. It was updated in September 2026 with new amounts and clearer timelines.
Panama Golden Visa: residency by investment (Panama Vault) → Free consultation
Who is it for?
Investors of any nationality who buy property, invest in securities or make a term deposit with their own funds.
Key facts · data checked on 28 Oct 2026
- New property (first sale)
- B/.300,000 (USD 300,000)
- Resale property
- B/.500,000
- Term deposit at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros
- B/.500,000
- Securities / private-bank deposit
- B/.500,000 / B/.750,000 per the decree
- Official timelines
- MICI certificate up to 15 business days; Immigration resolution up to 30 business days with a complete file
- Rule
- Executive Decree 17 of 8 Sep 2026 (replaces the 2020 rule)
General requirements
- Own funds coming from abroad; the investment is kept for the period the decree requires, with checks by MICI.
- Qualified-investor certificate from MICI, then the Immigration application through a lawyer.
- Usual personal documents: certified passport, police record, health certificate, photos.
- Before buying for the visa, confirm the property qualifies (first sale or resale) and its registered value.
- Amounts and conditions for securities and private banks: check them in the decree with your lawyer.
Next step
Investor immigration process (Trámites Visa Panamá)
tramitesvisapanama.com →Friendly Nations vs qualified investor
tramitesvisapanama.com →Panama Golden Visa: residency by investment (Panama Vault)
panamavault.com →Panama vs European golden visas (Panama Vault)
panamavault.com →Investing through a private interest foundation (Panama Vault)
panamavault.com →FAQ
How much must I invest for Panama's Golden Visa?
From B/.300,000 in a new first-sale property. A resale property or a term deposit at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros requires B/.500,000.
How long does it take?
The decree sets up to 15 business days for the MICI certificate and up to 30 business days for the Immigration resolution, with a complete file.
Is it permanent residency from the start?
Yes, it is a permanent-residency regime for investors, subject to keeping the investment as the decree requires.
Official sources (data checked on 28 Oct 2026): MICI – Programa Inversionista Calificado (21 sep 2026) · Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 8 sep 2026 (SNM)
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change: confirm them with the National Immigration Service or a lawyer before deciding. Where it says "ask", the authority does not publish that information and we do not make it up. TuHogar en Panamá is not a law firm or an immigration agency.