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Panama Friendly Nations and Qualified Investor Routes for Filipino Nationals

Panama runs two well known residency routes. One is the Friendly Nations Visa, which is limited to a published list of countries. The other is the Qualified Investor Visa, which is open to applicants regardless of nationality. This page explains where Filipino nationals stand.

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Reference
Official authorityNational Immigration Service of Panama (Servicio Nacional de Migracion)
ProgrammePanama Friendly Nations and Qualified Investor
For nationalityFilipino
Information current as ofJune 2026
Official source →

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.

Reviewed by the Passports for Kings editorial team. Last reviewed 22 June 2026.
The Philippines is not on Panama's Friendly Nations list, so that specific route is not open to Filipino nationals. The Qualified Investor route does not depend on the list and remains available. Confirm the current list and rules with the official authority.

Eligibility for Filipino nationals

The Friendly Nations Visa is restricted to nationals of a set list of countries published by Panama. The Philippines is not on that list, so Filipino nationals cannot use the Friendly Nations route on the basis of nationality.

The Qualified Investor Visa is different. It is open to applicants of any nationality who make a qualifying investment, so it is the relevant route for most Filipino applicants. Confirm the current list and the investment rules with the official authority before you act.

Routes

The Qualified Investor Visa grants permanent residency on the basis of a qualifying investment. Published options have included real estate, a fixed term bank deposit and a securities investment, each at its own minimum. Government and processing fees apply on top of the investment.

Other Panama categories exist for retirees and for people with a genuine economic tie to the country, but these are separate from the investor route and have their own conditions.

Timeline

The Qualified Investor route is designed to be fast once a complete file is filed, but timing depends on documentation and review. Confirm the current expected timeline with the official authority.

Costs

Minimum investments, application fees and deposits are set by the authority and can change. The figures below are indicative only and should be verified before you act.

Frequently asked questions

See the questions below.

ItemIndicative amountNotes
Qualifying real estateFrom around USD 300,000Investor route, open to any nationality
Fixed term bank depositFrom around USD 750,000Investor route alternative
Securities investmentFrom around USD 500,000Investor route alternative
Government and processing feesConfirm the current figure with the official authorityPaid in addition to the investment

Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. National Immigration Service of Panama (Servicio Nacional de Migracion) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.

Common questions

Can Filipino citizens use the Panama Friendly Nations Visa?

No. The Friendly Nations Visa is limited to nationals of countries on Panama's published list, and the Philippines is not on it. Filipino nationals would normally look at the Qualified Investor route instead.

Is the Qualified Investor Visa open to Filipino nationals?

Yes. The Qualified Investor route does not depend on the Friendly Nations list and is open to applicants of any nationality who make a qualifying investment and pass the required checks.

Who runs the programme?

The National Immigration Service of Panama administers residency. Verify the current list, minimums and fees with the official source.

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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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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