Qualified Investor visa
Reviewed by Hassim Patel Bhana, Managing Partner · Updated
The Qualified Investor visa is for investors who bring their own funds from abroad, personally or through a company or foundation they own. It grants permanent residency from the start and is the only visa you can file from abroad through your lawyer. The investment must be certified by the Ministry of Commerce (MICI).
Key points
- Real estate from $300,000 if new, or $500,000 if it is a resale.
- Securities from $500,000.
- A five-year fixed deposit from $750,000, or $500,000 at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros.
- The funds must be your own and must come from abroad.
- It grants permanent residency from the start, with no provisional stage.
- It is the only visa that can be filed from abroad, through your lawyer.
- The investment is certified by the Ministry of Commerce (MICI) before the immigration decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does a resale apartment count?
Yes, but the threshold is higher: $500,000 for a resale, against $300,000 for a new property.
Do I have to travel to Panama to file?
No. This is the only visa you can file from abroad, through your lawyer.
Can I invest through a company?
Yes, personally or through a company or foundation you own, provided the funds are your own and come from abroad.
How long are my documents valid?
Six months from the date each document was issued, not from the date it was apostilled. That is why we ask you to request them close to filing rather than at the start of your planning.