Skilled work — Latin America

🇵🇦Panama

Friendly Nations Visa

Two-year work-anchored route to PR for nationals of 50 friendly countries.

Duration

2 years temporary, then PR

Threshold

Local job offer, Panamanian company, or $200k property

Application fee

$1,250 + legal fees

Path to PR

Permanent residency at 2 years; citizenship at 5.

Tax treatment

Territorial — foreign income exempt.

Family

Spouse and minors included.

Required documents

Apostille route

Apostille only — both United States and Panama are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

Documents that must be apostilled

Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.

Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Panama — the apostille itself is also translated.
Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Panama immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.

Translation: Most documents must be translated into the local language by a certified translator. Agency translations are usually accepted.

Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.

Verified 2026 — confirm current rules before applying.