On October 16, 2020, Decree 722 of October 15, 2020 was published, which creates the category of Permanent Resident as a Qualified Investor.
To demonstrate the investment, the applicant must make an investment for a minimum of US $ 500,000.00 from a foreign source, personally or through a legal entity, provided that the applicant is the final beneficiary.
Types of investment:
- By investment in property title. The first US $ 500,000.00 must be free of liens. The amount above US$500,000.00 may be financed through a mortgage loan with a local bank.
- For investment in property through a contract of promise of sale for the sum of US $ 500,000.00 by means of a trust deposit in a bank or local trustee.
- By investment through a local brokerage firm in securities of local issuers of the Panama Stock Exchange. This investment must be agreed for at least 5 years for a minimum of US $ 500,000.00.
- For investment in a fixed term deposit in a local bank for the sum of US $ 750,000.00 and for a term of 5 years, free of encumbrances.
To maintain permanent residence, the investment must be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years.
In order to offer a more simplified and agile service to the investor, a Special Processing Window is created. Applications under this category may be submitted prior to entering Panama through a local lawyer, on the condition that prior to the issuance of the immigration card, the filiation process is completed. This request must be resolved in a period of no more than 30 business days.
Another interesting aspect is that during the first 24 months in the investment via real estate, the investment may be for US $ 300,000.00 and those applications received in 2020 may be changed to the Qualified Investor category, upon request.
