Special Visas For Investors in Panama

1.Panama Short Term Visas

Foreigners entering Panama, without having established their residency here will be able to request a Panama Short Stay Visa. The foreigner must justify the reason for staying, which has to be less than nine (9) months and will be non-extendable when the term is completed.

An investor must request this visa before entering the country. This visa has as an objective to give time for an investor to establish a branch of a foreign company in Panama.

The following 7 Panama Short Stay Visas are available under this program:

1.    PANAMA SHORT STAY FOR BUSINESS VISA
2.    PANAMA SHORT STAY TO VISIT RELATIVES VISA
3.    PANAMA SHORT STAY FOR INVESTIGATORS AND SCIENTISTS VISA
4.    PANAMA SHORT STAY FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT VISA
5.    PANAMA SHORT STAY AS MERCHANTS AND INVESTORS BY SPECIAL LAWS VISA
6.    PANAMA SHORT STAY FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS VISA
7.    PANAMA SHORT STAY FOR THE BANKING SECTOR

Please note: that each one of these visas has completely different requirements.

2. Foreign Personnel hired as Business Executives in Colon Free Zone

For foreigners who serve in executive, trust worthy positions, management or technical expertise in companies licensed to operate in the Colon Free Zone, with a salary of no less than two thousand balboas (B/.2, 000.00) per month.

3. Agricultural Investment in Panama

For foreigners who personally or through a legal figure (corporation), spent sixty thousand balboas (B/.60, 000.00) as a minimum amount in the agricultural industry or in aquaculture. These activities will be identified in areas that the Ministry of Agricultural Development considers of national interest.

4. Panama Reforestation Visa

Small Investment Visa
For foreigners to invest in a personal capacity or through a legal figure (corporation), the sum of sixty thousand dollars (B/.60, 000.00) in reforestation or plantation forestry, authorized by the National Environmental Authority (ANAM).

In case of a corporation, this permit may be requested by up to two foreigners, provided they demonstrate that each one made the investment of sixty thousand balboas (B/.60, 000.00) each.

Large Investment Visa
This Visa requires a minimum $80,000 invested, including a minimum purchase of five (5) hectares.  This is the only Panama Reforestation Visa leading to Permanent Residency and eventual Panama Citizenship. Two (2) years into the program, the applicant will be able to opt for permanent residence.

5. Panama Business Investor Visa

Foreigners wishing to invest in a macro-business, with a minimum share capital of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars (B/.160, 000.00) per applicant, which are shareholders and dignitaries from the same company, the omission of this requirement will result in the cancellation of the request and the obligation to leave the country. Requirements include obtaining a commercial business license, hiring 5 Panamanian employees paying their social security benefits and at least pay the minimum wage.

Visa requires three 2-year temporary resident visas before becoming permanent residents.

6. Panama Self Economic Solvency Visa

This visa offers international investors the opportunity to obtain legal residency, citizenship, and a passport. You can request this permit foreign invest the minimum amount of three hundred thousand dollars (B/.300, 000.00) in real estate or fixed term deposit or a combination of both and show that funds come from abroad. The applicant must invest an additional two thousand (B/.2, 000.00) for each dependent.

Please note: The titled Panama real property can either be in the personal name of the primary applicant or in the name of a Panama Private Interest Foundation; as long as the primary applicant is either the Founder or a Beneficiary (it may not be in the name of a Panama corporation or trust). In case of the CD it must be under the applicant’s name.

7. Investor’s Special Economic Area of Panama-Pacifico

Foreigners who undertake a foreign investment of not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars (B/.250.000.00) in venture capital businesses in the area of Panama-Pacific or development companies or operators may request this permit.

8. Panama Tax Free Processing Zone Investor Program

This visa allows for foreign investors to obtain Panama legal residency under the condition that they must rent a plot of land or an office or building (rented through a 10 to 20 year concession) within one of the tax free processing zones in Panama, for the purpose of operating a business from Panama that exports its products or services.

9. Investor in Food Processor for Export Zones

Foreigners must invested a sum not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars (B/.250, 000.00) from abroad, with a company duly authorized, as a property development company, promoter or operator of an export processing zone or businesses established within these areas according to Law 25 of 1992

Please note: Panama has several tax free processing zones, for more information on these areas, contact us.

10. Call Center for Commercial Use For Export Investor

For foreigners who want to invest in a company whose business is providing services to call centers for commercial use (call center) for export. As established in Executive Decree 97 of 2002, will be similar and should meet the same requirements for permanent residence in the export processing zones.

11. Investor of the Film and Audiovisual Industry

This permit can be requested by foreigners who invest in the Film Industry, an amount exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars (B/.150, 000.00).

If you are interested in applying for any of these visas and require more information and a lawyer to assist you with your application process, please contact: info@thepanamaclub.com