Qualified Investor residency
Permanent residency for people who make a qualifying investment in Panama. Richard Kilborn was involved in creating this kind of fast-track investor program while National Director of Investment Promotion. Rules were updated in September 2026, so we confirm the current terms before you commit.
The investment options
Per Executive Decree 17 of 2026, effective 16 September 2026.
| Investment | Minimum | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| New (first-sale) real estate | $300,000 | Free of liens for 5 years |
| Resale real estate | $500,000 | Free of liens that reduce its value, for 5 years |
| Pre-sale purchase contract | $300,000 | Paid through a bank trust or with bank backing; status capped at 3 years |
| Securities | $500,000 | Through an authorized Panamanian broker, held 5 years |
| Fixed-term bank deposit | $750,000 (general-license bank) or $500,000 (state banks) | Held 5 years, free of liens |
What you get
Permanent residency on approval
No provisional period. The immigration decision is cited at roughly 30 business days after the investment is certified.
Family
Spouse, minor children and students can be included. Each dependent adds government fees.
Keeping it
You show each year that the investment is still in place. One trip to Panama every two years is cited as enough to maintain residency.
Citizenship
You may apply for naturalization after 5 years of permanent residence, subject to general requirements.
Cost
A published estimate for the main applicant is about $16,000 ($5,000 legal and $11,000 government), plus the investment itself.
How we help
Choosing the investment
Richard is a licensed Panama realtor and can show properties that qualify, and explain the trade-offs between real estate, securities and deposits.
Introductions
To the attorneys and banks that handle the certification and filing.
General information, not legal or investment advice. Biz Panama is not an immigration law firm. Source: Kraemer Law, checked October 2026.