What is the Panama Qualified Investor Visa?

It grants permanent residence from approval in exchange for a qualifying investment in Panama. Under the rules in force since 16 September 2026, the minimum is US$300,000 for a new, unoccupied property bought in its first sale from the developer, or the developer's successor in title, US$500,000 for resale property (the secondary market), US$500,000 in securities through a securities house (Casa de Valores) licensed by Panama's Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores, and US$750,000 in a fixed deposit at a private bank, or US$500,000 at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros. It can be cancelled if the investment is not kept for five years, or if a pre-construction purchase is not completed within the limits of the current rules.

Does the US$300,000 minimum expire or rise on 15 October 2026?

No. The decree now in force sets no end date on the US$300,000 minimum and does not raise it to US$500,000 on 15 October 2026. That date came from the earlier regulation's temporary period. What decides your minimum is the property: US$300,000 is for a new, unoccupied property bought in its first sale from the developer, or the developer's successor in title, and a resale needs US$500,000.

How long does the Panama QIV process take?

The investment certificate takes up to 15 business days and the residency decision takes up to 30 business days, each counted from a complete file and subject to legal suspensions. These are limits, not promises. How long the whole process takes depends on how quickly your file is complete.

Where must the money come from?

The funds must be yours and must have reached Panama's banking system by international transfer, with a paper trail that shows where they came from. Gifts and other free transfers from third parties do not count toward the minimum.

Can I include family members in the Panama QIV application?

Who can be included on one application depends on your family and on the current rules. Plan B Expat confirms it for your case before you buy anything.

I completed my purchase before 16 September. Do the old rules apply?

They may use the old rules if the application is filed within six months of that date. Bring the purchase documents to a consultation and Plan B Expat will tell you where you stand.

Panama Qualified Investor Visa: US$300,000 New, US$500,000 Resale

Q: What are the investment options for the Panama QIV?

Property, pre-construction, securities or a fixed deposit. A new, unoccupied property bought in its first sale from the developer, or the developer's successor in title, starts at US$300,000. Resale property, meaning a property previously marketed, occupied, leased or transferred to an unrelated third party (the secondary market), starts at US$500,000. Pre-construction starts at US$300,000, in one of two ways: a deposit of not less than the minimum into a trust held by a licensed bank or trustee, or payment to the developer of 100% of the property's value under a bank guarantee. Securities start at US$500,000, invested through a securities house (Casa de Valores) licensed by Panama's Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores, in private equity or venture funds, Panama government bonds, notes or bills, or other registered securities, held at least five years. A fixed deposit is US$750,000 at a private bank or US$500,000 at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros. One or several eligible securities may add up to the US$500,000.

Q: Can I buy off plan?

Yes, from US$300,000, in one of two ways: a deposit of not less than the minimum into a trust held by a licensed bank or trustee, or payment to the developer of 100% of the property's value under a bank guarantee. The developer payment counts once 100% of the property's value is paid. Residency resting on pre-construction contracts is capped at three years in total, and the residency can be cancelled if the purchase is not completed within the limits of the current rules.

Q: How long must I keep the investment?

At least five years, with proof filed each year in the 30 days before the anniversary of the migration resolution, through the legal attorney. The residency can be cancelled if the investment is not kept for five years.

Q: Can I hold the investment through a company?

Yes. You may hold it personally or through a company, national or foreign, and for property also through a private interest foundation. You must be the final beneficial owner with effective control. A fixed deposit must be opened in your own name.

Panama replaced its Qualified Investor rules, and the new ones have applied since 16 September 2026.

It is permanent residence from approval. The minimum is no longer one figure. It depends on what you buy: US$300,000 for new property from the developer, US$500,000 for resale, and separate figures for securities and fixed deposits.

Investment Options

The Qualified Investor Visa requires a minimum investment in one of these routes, held for five years:

Investment Type	Minimum Amount	Notes
New property from the developer	US$300,000	New and unoccupied, first sale from the developer or its successor in title
Resale property	US$500,000	Previously marketed, occupied, leased or transferred to an unrelated third party (the secondary market)
Pre-construction	US$300,000	A deposit of not less than the minimum into a trust held by a licensed bank or trustee, or payment to the developer of 100% of the property's value under a bank guarantee
Panamanian securities	US$500,000	Through a securities house (Casa de Valores) licensed by Panama's Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores. One or several eligible securities may add up to the amount
Fixed deposit, private bank	US$750,000	Held for the full five years
Fixed deposit, Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros	US$500,000	Held for the full five years

Pre-construction

Pre-construction purchases qualify from US$300,000 in one of two ways: a deposit of not less than the minimum into a trust held by a licensed bank or trustee, or payment to the developer of 100% of the property's value under a bank guarantee. The developer payment counts once 100% of the property's value is paid. Residency resting on pre-construction contracts is capped at three years in total. It can be cancelled if the purchase is not completed within the limits of the current rules.

Resale property

Resale means any property that was previously marketed, occupied, leased or transferred to an unrelated third party (the secondary market). The minimum is US$500,000. A new, unoccupied property bought in its first sale from the developer, or the developer's successor in title, has a minimum of US$300,000.

Check which route fits your situation

How the Amount Is Counted

The amount that counts is the lower of the price paid and the commercial value established through the decree's verification, less any lien on the property. Anything above the minimum may be financed, if documented and traceable and no lien takes the net value below the minimum (real estate only).

The money must be yours. It must have reached Panama's banking system by international transfer, with a paper trail from its source to Panama. Gifts and other free transfers from third parties do not count.

You may hold the investment personally or through a company, national or foreign, and for property also through a private interest foundation. You must be the final beneficial owner with effective control. A fixed deposit must be opened in your own name.

When there is a reason to question the value of a property, an independent appraisal can be required, at the applicant's cost.

What sits on top of the investment

This category carries the highest official charges of any Panamanian residency route, by a wide margin. Two government payments are due for the main applicant, and each dependent aged 12 and over carries a further pair. On a family of four that adds up quickly, and it is the most common surprise on this route.

On top of those come professional fees, translation, apostilles, the Panama health certificate and courier costs.

Plan B Expat does not publish figures for any of it. They move with family size, document count and your country of origin, and a number quoted on a web page is out of date the moment a schedule changes. Ask at consultation and you get the split between government charges and professional fees in writing, which is what you need in order to compare firms.

Timeline and Process

The application process follows these steps:

Document Preparation

• Passport copy, authenticated as required (your lawyer will confirm whether a notarized copy or an apostille is being asked for)

• Criminal background check (valid three months, apostilled)

• Passport-style photographs

• Proof of investment funds

A criminal record check usually carries no expiry of its own, so Panama imposes one. You will see six months quoted in places. Plan B Expat works to three months from the date of issue, because a document that arrives at the edge of its window leaves no room for a correction, a re-order or a slow apostille desk, and those are ordinary events rather than rare ones.

Investment and Certificate

• Complete your qualifying investment in Panama

• The investment certificate takes up to 15 business days from a complete file

• Real estate requires property registration

Application Submission

• Your lawyer submits the application with power of attorney

• The application can be filed before you enter Panama

• Biometric registration is required before any immigration card is issued

• All documents must be translated to Spanish if not already

Residency Decision

• Up to 30 business days from a complete file

• Neither stage is guaranteed, and an incomplete file stops the count

Approval

• Receive your resident card

• Attend the Tribunal Electoral in person for the cédula, which is a separate appointment with no fixed waiting period

Annual Maintenance Requirement

You must hold the investment for five years and send proof to the ministry every year.

Proof is filed each year in the 30 days before the anniversary of the migration resolution, through the legal attorney

The investment must stay in place for the full five years

Documentation by Investment Type:

Real Estate: Property ownership verification, proof you still hold title

Securities: Current brokerage statement showing holdings

Bank Deposit: Certificate confirming the deposit remains in place

Plan ahead and set calendar reminders. Missing this annual requirement, or not keeping the investment for five years, can lead to cancellation of your residency.

Benefits of the Qualified Investor Visa

Immigration Benefits:

Permanent residence from approval

Eligible family members can be included on one qualifying investment, with no second investment

A route open to any nationality

Tax Benefits:

Territorial taxation system, taxing Panamanian-source income rather than worldwide income. Law 526 adds a specific economic-substance regime for certain foreign passive income earned by covered multinational-group entities, from fiscal year 2027. What Law 526 does and does not cover

No wealth tax

No inheritance tax

No gift tax

No capital gains tax on foreign investments

Path to Citizenship

After five consecutive years of residence in Panama, holders of this residence, and their dependants, may apply to naturalise under the Constitution. The application goes to the migration service, which approves it if every constitutional and legal requirement is met. It is never automatic and it is never guaranteed.

Read the full breakdown of when the five-year period begins

Qualified Investor vs Friendly Nations Visa

Feature	Qualified Investor	Friendly Nations
Investment Required	US$300,000 to US$750,000, depending on the route	US$200,000, or a Panamanian employment relationship
Timing	Certificate up to 15 business days, decision up to 30 business days, each from a complete file	2 years provisional, then a separate application for permanent residence
Government charges	Highest of any route	Lower
Eligible Countries	Any nationality	51 listed countries

The Qualified Investor Visa suits people who have the capital available and want a residency decision with a stated review period. The Friendly Nations Visa suits those from eligible countries who prefer a lower threshold and can hold provisional status for two years, then apply separately for permanent residence. If your passport isn't on the list of 51, this route is open to you regardless of nationality.

See the current list of 51 Friendly Nations countries

Ready to Start Your Application?

The Qualified Investor Visa rewards a careful start. Take the time to pick the right property and the right structure.

Book a Consultation

Plan B Expat can answer your questions about investment options, connect you with vetted real estate partners and immigration lawyers, and walk you through each step.

Last updated: October 2026. Rules in force since September 2026.

Plan B Expat provides consulting and coordination, not legal or tax advice. Always take counsel from the licensed attorneys, accountants and tax specialists in our vetted network.