Panama offers residency to investors through two main routes, the Friendly Nations visa and the Qualified Investor visa. Brazil is on the Friendly Nations list, so Brazilian nationals can in principle use either. This page explains how each works and where to confirm the binding detail.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Brazil is included on Panama list of friendly nations, so Brazilian nationals can use the Friendly Nations visa as well as the Qualified Investor visa. Both routes require a valid passport, a clean police record, supporting financial documents and proof of the qualifying investment. Family members can generally be added under the rules.
The two routes differ in what they give you at the start. The Qualified Investor visa grants permanent residency immediately, while the Friendly Nations investment route grants temporary residency first and converts to permanent later. Confirm the current document list and conditions with the National Migration Service.
Under the Friendly Nations visa, the common investment options are buying Panamanian real estate at the set minimum, or placing a fixed term deposit in a Panamanian bank for a minimum period. This route leads to temporary residency that can convert to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
The Qualified Investor visa sits above it, with higher minimums but immediate permanent residency. Options include qualifying real estate, a securities investment through a licensed Panamanian broker, or a larger fixed term bank deposit held for a longer period. Confirm which thresholds apply now, since they have been revised.
The Qualified Investor visa is generally fast, with the National Migration Service reviewing complete files in a matter of weeks and granting permanent residency on approval. The Friendly Nations investment route grants temporary residency first, held for the required period before applying for permanent residency. Confirm current processing times with the official authority.
The main cost is the qualifying investment. On top of that, the Qualified Investor visa carries government charges including an application fee and a repatriation deposit, and both routes involve legal, translation and registration costs. The table shows the headline investment thresholds. Confirm the current figures and all fees with the official authority.
Both routes lead to Panamanian residency, with the Qualified Investor visa giving permanent residency from the start. Panamanian citizenship is a separate process with its own residence, presence and other requirements. Verify those onward rules before relying on them.
| Route | Indicative minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly Nations, real estate | USD 200,000 | Property free of liens; leads to temporary then permanent residency |
| Friendly Nations, bank deposit | USD 200,000 | Fixed term deposit held for a minimum period |
| Qualified Investor, real estate | From USD 300,000 | Threshold has been revised; confirm the current figure |
| Qualified Investor, securities | USD 500,000 | Through a licensed Panamanian broker |
| Qualified Investor, bank deposit | USD 750,000 | Held for a longer minimum period; immediate permanent residency |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. National Migration Service of Panama (Servicio Nacional de Migracion) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Yes. Brazil is on Panama list of friendly nations, so Brazilian nationals can use the Friendly Nations visa as well as the Qualified Investor visa. Confirm the current position with the National Migration Service.
The Friendly Nations investment route grants temporary residency first and converts to permanent later, while the Qualified Investor visa grants permanent residency immediately for a higher investment. Confirm current rules with the official authority.
The Friendly Nations investment route has lower thresholds than the Qualified Investor visa, but it gives temporary residency first. The right choice depends on your goals. Confirm current figures with the National Migration Service.
Not directly. Both routes give residency. Panamanian citizenship is a separate process with its own residence and presence requirements. Verify those rules before relying on them.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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