Legal Help for Moving to Panama: Visas, Residency & Real Estate
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Terms and Conditions for Credit Card and Wire Transfer Payments (English)
By using the payment link provided in this email, you expressly acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. That the payment link has been generated specifically for your transaction and corresponds to the amount indicated in the communication received.
2. That you acknowledge, understand, and agree that the payment will be made using a credit card, debit card, or wire transfer through the payment methods provided.
3. That by completing the payment process, you voluntarily authorize the corresponding charge or transfer for the full specified amount.
4. That you are the cardholder or bank account holder used for the transaction, or have obtained proper authorization from the holder to carry out the transaction.
5. That the payment made through this link or banking information will be processed electronically through a secure payment platform or wire transfer.
6. That it is your responsibility to verify that all information entered during the payment or wire transfer process is accurate before confirming the transaction.
7. That by completing the payment, you agree to these terms and conditions, as well as any applicable policies related to the contracted service.
8. That by selecting a U.S.-Based Credit Card payment method, you acknowledge and agree to pay the corresponding Credit Card Fee of 2.9% + $0.30 USD in addition to the total amount, applicable only to U.S.-issued cards. If a non-U.S. card is used under this option, a higher processing percentage may be charged by the payment provider, and any additional charges shall be the responsibility of the payer.
9. That by selecting an International Credit Card payment method, you acknowledge and agree to pay the corresponding International Credit Card Fee of 3.5% on the total transaction amount.
10. That by selecting a U.S. Bank wire transfer payment method, you acknowledge and agree that any fees charged by your bank, payment application, or financial institution shall be your responsibility. The recipient bank will not charge additional fees for incoming domestic wire transfers or ACH payments.
11. That by selecting a Panama or International Wire Transfer payment method, you acknowledge and agree to pay the applicable international wire transfer fee of $48.15 USD, in addition to any intermediary bank charges or additional banking fees required to complete the transaction.
12. That it is your responsibility to select the correct payment method according to your payment origin and banking institution. Any additional charges, intermediary bank fees, exchange rate differences, processing fees, or insufficient amounts received as a result of an incorrect payment method selection, whether intentional or unintentional, or due to banking deductions, shall remain the responsibility of the client, and any outstanding balance must be paid in full.
13. That the fees charged by intermediary banks will be deducted directly from the total transferred amount, and the client shall remain responsible for covering any resulting outstanding balance.
If you do not agree with these terms, please refrain from using the payment link and contact our team (Omar@theindependentlawyer.com) to arrange an alternative payment method.
Términos y Condiciones de Pago con Tarjeta y Transferencia Bancaria (Español)
Al hacer uso del enlace de pago proporcionado en este correo, usted reconoce y acepta expresamente lo siguiente:
1. Que el enlace de pago ha sido generado específicamente para su transacción y corresponde al monto indicado en la comunicación recibida.
2. Que usted reconoce, entiende y acepta que el pago será realizado mediante el uso de una tarjeta de crédito, tarjeta de débito o transferencia bancaria a través de los métodos de pago proporcionados.
3. Que, al completar el proceso de pago, usted autoriza de forma voluntaria el cargo o transferencia correspondiente por el monto total especificado.
4. Que usted es el titular de la tarjeta o cuenta bancaria utilizada, o cuenta con la debida autorización del titular para realizar dicha transacción.
5. Que el pago realizado mediante este enlace o información bancaria será procesado electrónicamente a través de una plataforma segura de pago o mediante transferencia bancaria.
6. Que es su responsabilidad verificar que toda la información ingresada durante el proceso de pago o transferencia bancaria sea correcta antes de confirmar la transacción.
7. Que, al completar el pago, usted acepta los términos y condiciones aquí descritos, así como cualquier política aplicable relacionada con el servicio contratado.
8. Que al seleccionar el método de pago con tarjeta de crédito basada en Estados Unidos, usted reconoce y acepta pagar la comisión por uso de tarjeta de crédito correspondiente de 2.9% + $0.30 USD en adición a el monto total, aplicable únicamente a tarjetas emitidas en Estados Unidos. En caso de utilizar una tarjeta emitida fuera de Estados Unidos bajo esta opción, la plataforma de pago podrá aplicar un porcentaje de comisión más alto, y cualquier cargo adicional será responsabilidad del pagador.
9. Que al seleccionar el método de pago con tarjeta de crédito internacional, usted reconoce y acepta pagar la comisión correspondiente por tarjeta de crédito internacional de 3.5% sobre el monto total de la transacción.
10. Que al seleccionar el método de pago mediante transferencia bancaria dentro de Estados Unidos, usted reconoce y acepta que cualquier cargo aplicado por su banco, aplicación de pago o institución financiera será su responsabilidad. El banco receptor no cobrará cargos adicionales por transferencias domésticas o pagos ACH recibidos.
11. Que al seleccionar el método de pago mediante transferencia bancaria internacional o hacia Panamá, usted reconoce y acepta pagar la comisión correspondiente por transferencia internacional de $48.15 USD, además de cualquier cargo de bancos intermediarios u otros cargos bancarios adicionales requeridos para completar la transacción.
12. Que es su responsabilidad seleccionar el método de pago correcto de acuerdo con el origen de su pago y su institución bancaria. Cualquier cargo adicional, cargos de bancos intermediarios, diferencias por tipo de cambio, comisiones de procesamiento o montos insuficientes recibidos como resultado de una selección incorrecta del método de pago, ya sea de forma intencional o no intencional, o debido a deducciones bancarias, serán responsabilidad del cliente y cualquier saldo pendiente deberá ser pagado en su totalidad.
13. Que el cargo aplicado por bancos intermediarios será deducido directamente del monto total transferido y seguirá siendo responsabilidad del cliente cubrir cualquier saldo pendiente resultante.
Si no está de acuerdo con estos términos, por favor absténgase de utilizar el enlace de pago y comuníquese con nuestro equipo (Omar@theindependentlawyer.com) para coordinar un método de pago alternativo.
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There are a few different paths to residency available to foreigners investing in government certified reforestation projects in Panama:
With a minimum investment of $80,000 USD qualifying applicants can obtain residency for 5 years.
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.
With a minimum investment of $350,000 USD qualifying applicants can directly obtain permanent residency through a fast-tracked process.
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:
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.
An investment of at least $500,000 USD in Panama Stock Market, through a Panamanian securities brokerage firm.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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):
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.
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.
