If you're looking for a healthy lifestyle, an active social life or both, Panama is one big playground.
We know how to navigate Panama, and we can help you to set yourself up here.
Panama offers some of the most attractive residency options in the world, and at a reasonable cost.
It is also a really nice place to live.
The difference between an adventure and a frustrating experience often comes down to having a competent attorney.
We make Panama easy.
Our clients are obtaining residency, investing and starting businesses in Panama.
You can too. And you don't have to do it alone.
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Personalized,
Boutique legal services.

If you ́re looking for a healthy lifestyle, an active social life or both, Panama is one big playground.
We know how to navigate Panama, and we can help you to set yourself up here.
Panama offers some of the most attractive residency options in the world, and at a reasonable cost.
It is also a really nice place to live.
The difference between an adventure and a frustrating experience often comes down to having a competent attorney.
We make Panama easy.
Our clients are obtaining residency, investing and starting businesses in Panama.
You can too. And you don ́t have to do it alone.
Previous slide
Next slide

Personalized,
Boutique legal services.

Residency & Visas

Are you considering residency in Panama? Browse the list of residency visa options to the right, or

Our clients decide to seek residency in Panama for a variety of reasons.

Work or Investment Opportunities.  It is common for people doing business to apply for residency while they are working in Panama.  My clients may also obtain residency as an additional benefit of investment – regardless as to whether they plan to move to Panama.

Retirement or Relocation.  Many clients seek residency because they are planning to retire here, buy a second home, establish tax residency or spend more of time in Panama.

Lifestyle.  More and more of our clients make their living providing services and even managing businesses in other parts of the world. They choose to work remotely from Panama, because to they fell in love with the country (or somebody nice).

Security.  The world world is fast-changing and uncertain. Having options is a valuable commodity. Consider a second residency option, or you can even go for a second passport.

Corporate

  • Panama has become a popular destination for developers and investors.

Many clients come here to invest. Others come for a job or to retire, but then they see an opportunity to build a dream lifestyle business.

The fact is that there are many reasons to incoroprate. Just to name a few:

  • Asset protection;
  • Tax strategy;
  • Launching a new business; and
  • Qualifying for certain residency visas.

Fortunately, incorporating in Panama is fast, affordable and easy. A local corporation can typically be set up in less than 5 business days.

Let’s talk about your plans and commercial objectives in Panama and how we can help to make them a reality.

Real Estate

Panama boasts one of the most dynamic real estate markets in Latin America.

Panama’s economy experienced exponential growth over several years, and investors have achieved massive returns on real estate investmentns.

I add value at each stage of the transaction, including:

  • Contracting and transacton strucrturing
  • Due diligence on a property, company or counter part
  • Appraisals from a company with local credibility
  • Exploration of financing options with local banks

Whether you are buying / selling a home, a commercial property or developing a project – I can help you avoid missteps and headaches.

Let’s talk about your real estate transaction in Panama

Like most attorneys, my legal practice began in a cubicle under the fluorescent lights of pretty a generic office building. Ironically, I found that many of my clients were relocating their families and careers to Panama precisely to get away from that type of day-to-day experience. Early on, I began asking myself if it really had to be this way. I became determined to build my practice with a culture that would be lighter, less formal, more personal and fun.

My clients include executives and entrepreneurs, academics and artists, professionals and philanthropists. I have processed their residencies, prepared their contracts, helped them to structure their businesses and investments in Panama. Many of my clients come from other parts of the world, and it has been my privilege to help them to get established here.

If I take you on a new client, I will try to understand what motivates you. What are you looking for, and where does Panama fit into your vision? Because my goal is that Panama will treat you well. I really want you to find your groove here – to tune in and see the opportunities. And I hope you’ll call me again the next time you need legal counsel or are ready to take your project, investment, business or idea to the next level.

Tamara Fernandez S.

Friendly Nations Visa

Citizens from nations designated as “friendly” to Panama can obtain a residency visa for themselves and their family.

Applicants qualifying for the Friendly Nations Visa (FNV) will initially obtain residency for 2 years, and may then apply for permanent residency.

The FNV also affords foreigners the opportunity to apply for a work permit in Panama.

The FNV involves offers a very straightforward process and is one of the most affordable paths to residency in Panama for those who qualify.

Retirement & Pensioner Visa

Often referred to as the Jubilado (Retired Person) Visa because of its popularity among retirees, this is also a fast and affordable path toward permanent residency for applicants who qualify.

In fact, anyone over age 18 can apply so long as they satisfy the 2 main requirements:

1. A pension or annuity paying a minimum of $1,000 USD per month.

The annuity or pension can be paid by a private company, military, government agencies, corporations, a bank, an insurance company, or a Trust.

2. The pension or annuity must provide a lifetime benefit.

Qualifying applicants can obtain residency for their spouse as well, but the pension or annuity benefit should cover an additional $250 per month.

As an added benefit, the Pensioner Visa also grants discounts at restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, pharmacies and domestic airlines, making it a popular option for clients on a fixed income. The Pensioner Visa also affords foreigners the opportunity to apply for a 3-year, renewable work permit in Panama.

Investor Visas

Panama has created several different residency options to incentivize foreign investment. These visas offer several different paths to short-term or permanent residency based on different types of investments and minimum investment amounts.

The following Investor Visas are covered here (click each one for details):

  1. Business Investor Visa (min. investment of $160,000 USD)
  2. Friendly Nations Visa (min. investment of $200,000 USD)
  3. Self-Economic Solvency Visa (min. investment of $300,000 USD)
  4. Qualified Investor Visa (min. investment of $500,000 USD)
  5. Reforestation Visa (min. investment varies)

Family Regrouping

There are a few different residency options available to applicants with family ties to Panama. Some of the main options are as follows:

1. Married to a Panamanian​

The main requirement is a real, legal and valid marriage with a Panamanian citizen.  Qualifying applicants may apply for a permanent residency.

b. Panamanian Children

The parents of a child who a.) was born in Panama and b.) is over five years old may apply for permanent residency in Panama.

c. Dependents of a Panama resident

Generally speaking, a foreigner who has qualifies for residency in Panama can also obtain residency for their spouse and dependents.  The requirements will vary depending on the type of residency visa.

Short-Stay Visa

With solid infrastructure and direct flights all around the hemisphere, Panama has become an increasingly popular destination for freelancers and remote workers doing business outside of Panama. The main requirements are:

1. Remote workers should provide a contract setting forth the employees main functions being performed abroad for a foreign company doing work on an international level. However, self-employed free-lancers can also apply.

2. Applicants should demonstrate an annual income of at least $36,000 USD (or $48,000 USD per family).

Qualifying digital nomads can obtain a 9-month residency, extendable to 18 months. And if you fall in love with Panama and want to talk about permanent residency after that, then I help you with longer-term residency options.

Panama Citizenship

Once you have obtained permanent residency and held it for a period of 5 years, you can apply for Panamanian citizenship (and then a passport).  If you are also married to a Panamanian or have children with a Panamanian parent, then you can apply after holding permanent residency for just 3 years.

Please contact me if you have questions or would like to discuss the application process and requirements.

Work Permits

For foreigners who wish to obtain a work permit to seek employment in Panama, there is a separate application process that begins only after having obtained residency.

Generally, anyone who has held residency in Panama for 10 years can apply for a work permit. However, there are much shorter and more direct processes to obtain a work permit depending on which visa process the applicant pursued to obtain residency.

Please contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss the application process and requirements.

The Reforestation Visa - Investor Visas

There are a few different paths to residency available to foreigners investing in government certified reforestation projects in Panama:

  1. With a minimum investment of $80,000 USD qualifying applicants can obtain residency for 5 years.
  2. With a minimum investment of $100,000 USD qualifying applicants can obtain residency for 2 years, but are then eligible to apply for permanent residency.
  3. With a minimum investment of $350,000 USD qualifying applicants can directly obtain permanent residency through a fast-tracked process.

Qualified Investor Visa - Investor Visas

The Qualified Investor Visa is the only investor visa that offers an expedited process to directly obtain permanent residency in Panama.

To qualify, an applicant must make an investment that satisfies the following requirements:

  1. An equity investment of at least $500,000 USD in the purchase of a a real state property in Panama. The property must be free of any mortgage or lien.
  2. An investment of at least $500,000 USD in Panama Stock Market, through a Panamanian securities brokerage firm.
  3. A minimum 5-year certificate of deposit (“CD” or “Time Deposit”) of at least $750,000 USD in a bank in Panama.

The options above cannot be mixed and matched to satisfy the minimum investment threshold amount. The funds must also originate from outside of Panama to qualify.

Self Economic Solvency Visa - Investor Visas

The Self Economic Solvency Visa offers residency to foreigners who make a qualifying minimum investment in Panama, which include:

1. An equity investment of at least $300,000 USD in the purchase of a real state property in Panama.

2. A minimum 3-year certificate of deposit (“CD” or “Time Deposit”) of at least $300,000 USD in a bank in Panama.

3. A combination of 1 & 2.

This is a good option for someone who has already purchased real estate which does not quite satisfy the minimum investment requirement.

Spouses or dependents can also obtain residency with an additional investment of $2,000 USD for each additional applicant. Qualifying applicants will initially obtain residency for 2 years and may then apply for permanent residency.

Friendly Nations Visa (FNV) - Investor Visas

The Friendly Nations Visa (FNV) offers one of the fastest and straightforward paths to residency for citizens of nations designated as “friendly” to Panama.

The minimum investment is $200,000 USD as equity in the purchase of a real state property in Panama or a minimum 3-year certificate of deposit (“CD” or “Time Deposit”) in a bank in Panama. Applicants who qualify can also obtain residency for their spouse or dependents with an additional investment of $2,000 USD for each additional applicant.

Applicants qualifying for the Business Investor Visa will initially obtain residency for 2 years and may then apply for permanent residency. The FNV also affords foreigners the opportunity to apply for a work permit in Panama.

Check whether you are likely to qualify by choosing which nation has issued your passport, or contact us to request a quote.

Business Investor Visa - Investor Visas

The Business Investor Visa is available to investors and entrepreneurs investing in a business in Panama.

To qualify, an applicant must invest a minimum $160,000 USD investment in capital stock of a Panamanian company.

Applicants who qualify can also obtain residency for their spouse or dependents with an additional investment of $2,000 USD for each additional applicant.

Applicants qualifying for the Business Investor Visa will initially obtain residency for 2 years and may then apply for permanent residency.