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Panama self-solvency visa : A Comprehensive Guide
Panama self-solvency visa : An Overview
The Panama Self-Solvency Visa, sometimes referred to as the “economic solvency visa,” is an residency by investment program that grants residency in exchange for a minimum investment of $300,000 in Panama.
There are currently three investment options available under this visa:
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Real Estate Purchase: Buy real estate in Panama.
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Bank Deposit: Make a fixed deposit of at least $300,000 in a local bank for a minimum of three years.
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Real Estate & Bank Investment: Invest in real estate and also make a deposit in a local central bank.
You can choose any of these three options. As long as the total investment is no less than $300,000, you will receive a two-year Self-Solvency Visa. If you are including dependents, the investment amount must increase by $2,000 for each additional person.
After the initial two years, you can apply for permanent residency for all applicants, provided you maintain the investment.
Application Process:
The application process for the Panama Self-Solvency Visa must be conducted offline, and the process is roughly as follows:
1. Complete the investment: You need to first enter Panama, open an account at a local bank, transfer the funds to Panama, then decide on and complete the investment.
2. Submit the application: For this step, you need to prepare all required documents and submit the visa application in person to the Panamanian Immigration Office:
Required documents for this program include:
Applicant identity documents: Include all primary and secondary applicant passports and copies, three passport-sized photos; marriage certificates, birth certificates, and other documents proving the relationship between primary and secondary applicants.
Application form: You need to fill out an application form and a letter pledging to guarantee the economic status of all secondary applicants.
Proof of funds: You must provide various income and asset proofs to verify the legality of your investment funds.
Investment proof.
Criminal record certificate: All primary and secondary applicants over 18 must provide a criminal record certificate issued within the last six months.
Health examination certificate: The health examination must be issued by a local doctor in Panama.
Local address in Panama: You need to provide a commonly used address where you can receive mail; this address can be the address of a hotel where you are staying in Panama, or a friend/intermediary’s address.
All documents from outside Panama must be notarized, and all non-Spanish documents must be translated into Spanish.
3. Preliminary review: After an initial assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, the Panamanian Immigration Office will first issue a short-term residence visa to the applicant and their family.
4. Review and visa issuance: The Immigration Office will complete all background checks and investment reviews within six months after the preliminary review and then issue a two-year Self-Solvency Visa to qualified applicants.
Dependents:
For the Panama Self-Solvency Visa, the main applicant’s spouse, children under 18, and financially dependent children aged 18 to 25 can also obtain permanent residency in Panama as secondary applicants.
Citizenship:
The Panama Self-Solvency Visa is initially valid for a two-year period. At the end of this term, visa holders who maintain their original investment are eligible to either renew their temporary visa or apply for Panamanian permanent residency.
Once granted, the permanent residency card must be renewed every five years. This status does not impose a minimum annual residency requirement; however, to demonstrate continued ties to the country, residents must spend at least one day in Panama every two years.
Non-native Spanish speakers are eligible to apply for Panamanian citizenship after holding permanent residency for five years. This period is shortened to three years if they are married to a Panamanian citizen or have a Panamanian child. To be considered, applicants must also have resided in Panama for at least six months of each of those years and successfully pass an interview testing their proficiency in Spanish, as well as their knowledge of Panamanian history, geography, and civil rights.
Useful Links：
Panama Immigration Office：https://www.migracion.gob.pa/
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I work in Panama with a Self-Solvency Visa?
Yes, holders of the Self-Solvency Visa are permitted to work in Panama. After obtaining this visa, you can apply for a Panama Work Permit, which will allow you to work legally in the country.
Specifically, the most suitable option for Self-Solvency Visa holders is the Type 4C Work Permit.
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