Panama Self-Solvency Visa: Complete Guide for Any Nationality

The Self-Solvency Visa (also called the Economic Solvency Visa) is the Panama residency program for people with financial means who want to live in the country. Unlike the Friendly Nations Visa, this program accepts applicants from ANY country in the world.

The concept is simple: demonstrate you have sufficient resources to support yourself in Panama, and the country welcomes you as a resident.

This visa works well for high-net-worth individuals from countries not on the Friendly Nations list, or for anyone who prefers real estate investment over other qualification methods.

Who Qualifies?

Open to all nationalities.Open to all nationalities. This is the key advantage. Chinese, Russian, Indian, Middle Eastern, African - citizens of any country can apply.

Requirements:

At least 18 years old

Clean criminal record

Minimum $300,000 investment

Funds must originate from outside Panama

Investment Options

The Self-Solvency Visa requires a minimum $300,000 investment. You have flexibility in how you structure it:

Option 1: Real Estate Only

Purchase Panama property worth at least $300,000

Must be free of liens

Mortgage allowed only on amounts ABOVE $300,000

Example: Buy a $400,000 property with $300,000 cash and $100,000 mortgage - qualifies

Option 2: Bank Deposit Only

Fixed-term certificate of deposit at a Panama bank

Minimum $300,000

Minimum 3-year term

Option 3: Combination

Mix real estate and bank deposit

Combined total must reach $300,000

Example: $200,000 property + $100,000 CD - qualifies

For dependents Add $2,000 to your investment for each dependent included in your application.

Timeline

Phase 1: Provisional Residency

Submit application with investment proof

Receive 2-year temporary residency

Processing time: 3-6 months

Phase 2: Permanent Residency

After 2 years, apply to convert to permanent status

Submit updated documents

Processing time: 3-6 months

Total timeline: Approximately 2.5-3 years to permanent residency

Application Process

Step 1: Document Preparation

Gather and apostille all required documents in your home country. Criminal background checks and other official documents expire after 6 months, so time this carefully.

Step 2: Investment

Complete your qualifying investment before arriving or shortly after. Real estate purchases require coordination with a lawyer. Bank deposits require account opening procedures.

Step 3: First Panama Visit

Travel to Panama to:

Finalize investment documentation

Submit your application to Immigration

Provide biometrics for your temporary ID card

Step 4: Receive Provisional Residency

Once approved (3-6 months), you receive a temporary residency card valid for 2 years.

Step 5: Maintain Status

Keep your investment in place throughout the provisional period. Visit Panama at least once every 2 years.

Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residency

After 2 years, submit your permanent residency application with updated documents.

Step 7: Receive Permanent Residency

Approval grants indefinite residency rights in Panama.

Required Documents

Main Applicant:

Valid passport (6+ months validity)

5 passport photos

National criminal background check (apostilled, less than 6 months old)

Health certificate from Panama doctor

Investment proof (property registration or bank certificate)

Bank statements showing funds came from abroad

Sworn declaration form

Power of attorney for lawyer

For Dependents:

Same documents as above

Marriage certificate (spouse)

Birth certificates (children)

All foreign documents apostilled

Costs

Applicant	Approximate Cost
Main applicant	$2,500-3,000
Dependent 12+ years	$1,500-2,000
Dependent under 12	$1,500-2,000

Plus your investment $300,000 minimum (+$2,000 per dependent)

Total budget example:

Single applicant: ~$303,000

Couple: ~$307,000

Family of four: ~$312,000

Work Authorization

The Self-Solvency Visa allows you to apply for a Panama work permit. There is a specific work permit category (Type 4C) designed for Self-Solvency visa holders.

This means you can:

Work for Panama companies

Operate your own business

Practice your profession

You are not restricted to passive income or retirement activities.

Benefits

Universal Eligibility

No country restrictions

Available when Friendly Nations Visa is not an option

Territorial Taxation

0% tax on foreign-source income

Panama-source income taxed up to 25%

No wealth, inheritance, or gift taxes

Asset Protection

Your investment builds equity (real estate) or earns interest (CD)

Property ownership rights protected under Panama law

Banking Access

Full access to Panama banking system

USD economy

Path to Citizenship

Eligible for naturalization after 5 years of permanent residency

Standard requirements: Spanish proficiency, civics knowledge, oath

Minimal Presence

Visit once every 2 years to maintain status

No full-time residency requirement

Self-Solvency vs Other Panama Options

Feature	Self-Solvency	Friendly Nations	Qualified Investor
Investment	$300,000	$200,000	$300,000+
Eligible Countries	ALL	50+ nations	ALL
Time to Permanent	~2.5 years	~2.5 years	~30 days
Best For	Non-FN nationalities	FN passport holders	Speed priority

Choose Self-Solvency if:

Your country is not on the Friendly Nations list

You prefer real estate investment

You want work authorization

Choose Friendly Nations if:

You hold an eligible passport

You want a lower investment threshold ($200K vs $300K)

Choose Qualified Investor if:

You need immediate permanent residency

You can commit $300K+ and want to skip the provisional period

Common Questions

Can I use rental income from my Panama property?

Yes. If you purchase income-generating real estate, rental income is yours. Panama-source rental income is taxable, but foreign income remains untaxed.

What happens if my investment loses value?

For real estate, the purchase price at the time of application matters, not current market value. For bank deposits, the CD amount is fixed.

Can I sell the property after getting permanent residency?

Yes. Once you have permanent residency, the investment requirement no longer applies.

Do I need to live in Panama?

No. You need to visit at least once every 2 years to maintain your status, but there is no requirement to establish physical residence.

Can my dependents work?

Dependents can apply for work permits separately once they have residency status.

Is the Self-Solvency Visa Right for You?

This visa makes sense if you:

Hold a passport from a country not on the Friendly Nations list

Have $300,000+ available for investment

Want the flexibility to work in Panama

Are comfortable with a 2+ year path to permanent residency

Prefer real estate as an investment vehicle

Consider other options if:

You hold a Friendly Nations passport (lower investment at $200K)

You need immediate permanent status (Qualified Investor - 30 days)

You have pension income (Pensionado - much lower requirements)

Next Steps

The Self-Solvency Visa provides a clear residency path for citizens of any country. If the Friendly Nations program excludes your nationality, this is your primary alternative.

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*Last updated: February 2026. Requirements change periodically. We verify current requirements before every client engagement.*