RESIDENCE VISAS PANAMA

The Qualified Investor program offers international investors an “expedited” (30 day process) opportunity to obtain legal permanent residency status in Panama, leading to citizenship in Panama (and a Panama passport).

The “Qualified Investor” immigration program was created by Executive Decree # 722 of the 15th of October of 2020.  

 From August of this year,  applicants from the  friendly countries can now no longer buy or register a business to prove economic ties to Panama. 

They’ll have to either invest at least $200,000 into Panamanian real estate or get employed with a Panamanian company.

 Friendly Nations Residency under the new rules will be temporary  for two years.

  Panama’s 54 Friendly Nations countries, they’re taking Taiwan off the list and added Peru

Retirees or persons with “lifetime” pensions may qualify for the Panama retirement visa, also called the “Panama Pensionado Visa”. 

The Panama Pensionado Visa allows foreigners to obtain legal residency under the condition that they have a pension income guaranteed for life.  According to the Panama Immigration Department, there is no minimum or maximum age required to qualify.

The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program is the oldest of its kind in the world. Established in 1984 it grants citizenship and a passport through donation or real estate investment to qualified applicants.

The Grenada Citizenship-by-Investment programme (CIP) was launched in 2013 and is aimed at people around the world looking for an advantageous second citizenship for both the applicant and their family. Grenada is the only Caribbean country that is party to the E-2 treaty with the United States of America, allowing citizens with significant funds to have access to enter and work in the US.

Anguilla launched its residency by investment programme in June 2019. The programme is attractive for investors seeking a tax efficient residence. Unlike other Caribbean programmes such as St. Kitts and Antigua the Anguilla programme is not a citizenship by investment or second passport programme. Applicants can qualify by making an investment either into the Capital Development Fund or direct into Real Estate.

  The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program provides investors with the opportunity to make a contribution to the government or an approved enterprise, or to invest in an attractive real estate development. 

Minimum contribution of USD 100,000

The right of free movement to Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and Europe’s Schengen Area, among others

The Cayman Islands offer a permanent residency programme which also offers a path to eventual naturalisation and citizenship. The programme is attractive for investors seeking a tax efficient residence as the Cayman Islands have no corporation, income, capital gains, inheritance or sales taxes.

Applicants can qualify by making a minimum investment of $2.4 million into qualifying real estate.