The Macro Business Investor Visa in Panama aims to encourage investments in local businesses and start-up ventures.
This visa provides investors and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to obtain residency in Panama, offering the lowest minimum investment requirement compared to other investor visas in the country. If you have $160k to invest and really want to make Panama your home, then the Macro Business Investor Visa can get you here.
Explore the benefits of the Macro Business Investor Visa and start your entrepreneurial journey in Panama today!
Requirements to Qualify for this Investor Visa
The main requirement is a minimum $160,000 USD investment in the capital stock of an operational Panamanian company. However, potential applicants should be aware of several other key requirements that the investment must meet in order to qualify:
- The applicant must be both a shareholder and an officer (President, Secretary, or Treasurer) in the company.
- The applicant should prepare a business plan, which should be included in the visa application package.
- The company must employ a minimum of five (5) Panamanians on its payroll, each of which should be registered in Panama´s Social Security (“CSS”) where the company should be in good standing.
- The $160,000 USD investment has to be verifiable. This means that the capital stock of the business must be at least $160,000 USD, and an authorized CPA must that the funds are available to execute the company’s business plan. The investment should also be reflected in the company’s tax return, and the applicant will need to provide evidence of the investment (such as a proof of deposit or wire transfer).
- The applicant should provide an advanced payment receipt of capital gains tax and a copy of a share purchase contract (in case the applicant has acquired an existing business).
- The applicant will also need to provide a number of additional documents to verify the existence of the company and business operation, such as a local business license (“Notice of Operation”), a commercial lease contract, utility bills, customs inventories, or audited financial statements. The law sets out multiple different options to satisfy this requirement.
Residency Term
Applicants qualifying for the Macro Business Investor Visa will initially obtain residency for 2 years. But applicants can then apply for permanent residency once it is time to renew. And while the requirements are very specific, there isn’t much ambiguity. So long as you still meet the requirements, you should be able to qualify for permanent residency
Applying with a Spouse or Dependents
This visa can also be extended to a spouse or other dependents, offering them the opportunity to join the applicant in their new country. To include additional family members, an additional investment of $2,000 USD is required for each applicant. This provision ensures that loved ones can benefit from the opportunities and advantages that come with this visa.
Bottom line?
The Macro Business Investor Visa has a cumbersome list of paperwork that must be prepared and submitted, and qualifying applicants must follow through with an extended process to eventually obtain permanent residency. However, the relatively low minimum threshold investment makes it a pretty attractive option for some clients.
For example, this may be one to consider if your passport doesn’t allow you to qualify for the Friendly Nations Visa and if you don’t have a pension that allows you to qualify for the Pensionado Visa. When it comes to Panama investor visas, this one is the least expensive.
If this is the best option for you, we will cut through the complexity and make the process clear and straightforward. Contact me!
Also, be sure to check out Panama´s other investor visa options on The Independent Lawyer website!